New NSW Emergency Drought Relief Package
DroughtHub provides all the information on services and support in the Package. You may also like to view the NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) Loans at a Glance
here or call on 1800 678 593.
NSW Drought Transport Subsidy
NSW Government will offer a transport subsidy of up to $40,000 per financial year per eligible farm business for journeys completed between 1 January 2018 to 30 June 2019 and up to $50 000 for journeys completed between 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2020.
•
The subsidy can be applied to the transport cost of fodder, water to a property for stock or household (domestic uses, stock to and from agistment, and for stock to sale or slaughter.
•
For applications received from 1 July 2019 the subsidy also includes transporting of farm chemicals, fertiliser and seed to farms.
•
The subsidy covers up to 50% of the full cost of freight.
You can view further information including the guidelines, Transport Subsidy FAQs and apply online via the
NSW RAA website.
NSW Animal Welfare Transport Subsidy
The NSW Government is subsidising 50% of eligible costs for the permanent transport of stock off a farm which is facing financial hardship and where livestock are at fat score 2 or below (dairy cattle 3 or below), to a maximum of $20, 000 per financial year. Visit the
RAA site to check eligibility or apply, or call 1800 678 593.
NSW Donated Fodder Transport
The NSW Government is covering 100% of the cost of transporting donated fodder when transport providers are acting in conjunction with community groups and taking fodder from within NSW to drought-affected properties (to a maximum of $5 per km and up to 1500 km). Further information is available
here or call 1800 678 593.
Domestic Water Carting Rebate
A rebate of $2000 will be available to assist eligible applicants with the costs of carting water or installing associated infrastructure, like water tanks and pipes, to help secure their domestic water supplies. The rebate will apply to occupiers of properties who typically access water from regulated river flows for their domestic supplies, but where flows ceased for extended periods due to the drought. Eligible locations are listed
here. Applications can be made through ServiceNSW.
On Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate
The Australian and NSW Governments are offering this rebate to drought affected farmers who invest in urgently-needed on-farm water infrastructure to improve productivity and resilience for horticultural farmers with permanent plantings, or that address animal welfare needs. Farmers will be able to access a 25% rebate up to $25 000 on new purchases and installation costs of water infrastructure projects on-farm across NSW to help them in the current drought and be better prepared for future dry conditions.
The On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme can be applied to new purchases and installation of pipes, water storages and water pumps, de-silting dams, and associated power supplies such as generators.
Applications for the rebate can be made through the
RAA. Eligible work undertaken since 1 July 2018 may also be covered by the rebate.
NSW Drought Assistance Fund
As part of the NSW Budget an additional Drought Assistance Loan is now available, which replaces the NSW Drought Transport Fund. This initiative makes available interest free loans of up to $50,000 for eligible primary producers to assist in implementing systems and management practices that enhance the sustainability of their enterprise by funding. The loan term is seven years and there are no repayments required in the first two years. The loans can be used for:
•
Transport of livestock, transport of fodder and/or water
•
On-farm water and fodder infrastructure, and
•
Banking of genetic material of livestock.
•
activities that promote profitability and resilience as a result of the on-farm investment
Further information and application forms are available
here.
Farm Business Skills Professional Development Program
The NSW Government will subsidise up to 50% of eligible costs for an approved course or activity, with a maximum reimbursement of $5,000 per farmer and $9,000 per farm business. For more information visit the
RAA website or call 1800 678 593.
Skills training for drought affected farmers and businesses
The NSW Government is subsidising skills training for farmers and regional businesses impacted by the drought and looking to transition into new or updated career opportunities.
More information on eligibility and available courses is available
here or call your local Training Services NSW Office on 13 28 11.
Changes to Licences to Reduce Kangaroo Numbers
Changes to licences to reduce kangaroo numbers due to the drought came into effect on Wednesday 8 August 2018.
Visit the
Office of Environment and Heritage website to find out information on:
•
The changes to licences to reduce kangaroos
•
How to apply for a licence for existing and new licence holders
Waivers on NSW Government Fees and Charges
•
Automatic waiver of Local Land Services rates for all landholders in 2019 and 2020.
•
Class 1 agricultural vehicles will be exempt from the next annual registration charge.
- To apply call Service NSW on 13 77 88
•
For the 2019/20 water year, the NSW Government is providing a waiver of fixed water charges for all domestic and stock and high security licence holders along the NSW Border Rivers, Lower Namoi, Upper Namoi, Peel, Macquarie and Lower Darling regulated rivers in recognition of the cut or restricted supply in these systems. The NSW Government will continue to provide financial assistance of up to $4000 to all general water licence holders in rural and regional NSW across surface and groundwater systems, and to customers of Irrigation Corporation for the 2019/20 water year. This waiver also applied in the 2018/19 water year. These waivers are being automatically applied to your bill.
- For more information contact
Water NSW on 1300 662 077
•
Additionally all existing Farm Innovation Fund customers, and all applicants who submitted on or before 30 June 2020, will have interest charges for the 2018/19 and 2019/20 financial years refunded and waived.
Commonwealth Support Measures
The Australian Government provides a number of assistance measures to support farmers and farm businesses in rural Australia build a strong and resilient agriculture sector. These measures include a
Drought Concessional Loans and
Farm Management Deposits. A full list of Commonwealth Support Measures is available
here.
Farm Household Allowance (FHA)
Farm Household Allowance (FHA) is available to eligible farmers and their partners experiencing hardship (including drought) for up to four cumulative years. Improvements to the process allow farming couples to apply on one form, and fortnightly rates are fixed, the assets test is simplified, and the payment time period and amount has been increased.
Visit the
Department of Agriculture - Farm Household Allowance or contact the Farmer Assistance Hotline on 13 23 16.
Rural Financial Counselling Service
A free and confidential service which provides information and assistance on financial position, budgets and submitting applications, available to farmers, fishing enterprise operators and small agriculture dependent rural businesses. Visit the
Rural Financial Counselling Service webpage or call 1800 686 175 to find your nearest office.
NSW Farm Debt Mediation
The NSW Rural Assistance Authority assists farmers and their creditors reach agreement on their present and future financial arrangements with an independent, accredited mediator. [Visit]
A full list of the available drought assistance in NSW is available
here.