Growers in Victoria’s Sunraysia region are being urged to apply for a Clean Up and Restoration Grant if they were directly affected by the Remembrance Day storms in November 2016.
Grants of up to $25,000 are being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
The Grants are available to all eligible primary producers in the affected Mildura Rural City Council region. Eligible primary producers can apply immediately.
Crops affected by the storm included wine and table grapes, dried fruit, summer fruit, avocados, nuts, citrus, olives and vegetables. Fields of cereal and legume crops were also damaged in farming communities outside Mildura.
Agriculture Victoria staff attended numerous community events in the aftermath of the storm to provide information on available support and gather detailed intelligence about the impact of the weather event.
Visits to affected properties to assess damage has included aerial and drone surveillance. Agriculture Victoria has also maintained ongoing contact with industry bodies to share information about the varied impact on different sectors.
The Andrews Labor Government estimates that damage to the farming sector ranges between $77.6 million and $156.8 million.
Grants for primary producers will assist in covering the substantial expenditure involved in clean-up and reinstatement – including salvaging crops, repair or replacement of essential equipment, the disposal of damaged goods and buying in fodder for affected livestock.
To apply, primary producers can contact Rural Finance Victoria on 1800 260 425 or at .
Mildura Rural City Council will also receive $120,000 from the Community Recovery Fund to fund a dedicated Recovery Officer to work with members of the local community.
Quotes attributable to Acting Minister for Agriculture Jacinta Allan
“The entire northern Mallee and Sunraysia community should be assured that the Andrews Labor Government stands with them.”
“We will continue to support farmers and the community to recover, build again and get the right infrastructure in place for the next crop.”
“The storm that hit the region in November 2016 has had serious impacts for many of Sunraysia’s fruit and vegetable growers – now is the time to seek available financial support to enable further rebuilding.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020