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- NSW Drought Relief Package Boosted To Over Half A Billion Dollars
NSW Drought Relief Package Boosted To Over Half A Billion Dollars
The NSW Government Department of Primary Industries Rural Assistance Authority announced in a media statement last week that they are adding $284 million to the drough relief package in the 2018 NSW Budget. This brings the NSW Government’s drought relief package to well over half a billion dollars.
This comes as very welcome news to NSW farmers who are suffering from this extended dry period.
Some of the funding changes announced by Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW John Barilaro and the Minister for Primary Industries Niall Blair include;
- increased financial support
- funding for mental health
- key infrastructure (including Doppler weather stations)
- streamlining kangaroo management
NSW Premier Ms Berejiklian said “To date, the Farm Innovation Fund has delivered $220 million to more than 1300 farmers to help build on-farm infrastructure and prepare for and battle drought. Our farmers are continuing to tell us that these loans are one of the best measures available, which is why we have decided to double the funding available, taking the Fund’s total value to $500 million.”
The main objective of this funding boost is to bring relief to farmers affected by the drought and assist primary producers in identifying and addressing risks to their farming enterprise, improve permanent farm infrastructure and ensure long-term productivity and sustainable land use, aiding in meeting changes to seasonal conditions.
To find out more about the package, visit the DPI Rural Assistance Authority or for help with mental health and counseling, visit the Centre for Rural & Remote Mental Health.
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