Farmers who have been affected by the flooding caused by recent heavy rains are now able to access the Western Australia Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (WANDRRA) fund.
With much of the state now having been declared a natural disaster zone, the fund has been opened to assist those who have suffered from the direct impact of the floods.
WAFarmers President Tony York said while the rains missed harvest, there would be remedial works needed on farms to prepare for the new season.
“While having some moisture in the soil ahead of seeding is a good thing, these extremely heavy rains and, in some cases, floods would have resulted in loss of topsoil and uneven paddocks, so work will need to be done to prepare the land in time for the upcoming season,” he said.
“Further, there will have been damage to fencing, not to mention potential loss of livestock.
“As yet the extent of the damage is unclear, but with local government authorities within the City of Swan, and Mid West, Wheatbelt, Goldfields-Esperance, Kimberley, Pilbara, and Great Southern Regions all now able to access the WANDRRA fund, it is hoped that the damage can be assessed quickly and repairs done.”
As advised on the Office of Emergency Management (OEM) website, assistance can be provided to primary producers under WANDRRA in the following areas:
- Professional advice grant – maximum reimbursement of $1,500;
- Interest rate subsidy;
- Freight subsidy – up to 50 per cent of the costs incurred;
- Fencing if used for livestock; and,
- Other measures as determined by the Department of Agriculture and Food WA and the OEM.
For more information or assistance, call 1800 198 231.
Click here to view the OEM website, or here to view the 2016/17 WANDRRA eligible disaster proclamation notification: Flooding in Western Australia (January and February 2017).
WANDRRA is jointly funded by the State and Federal Governments and is administered by the Office of Emergency Management, with assistance from other agencies.
ENDS.
All media requests must be directed to WAFarmers Media and Communications Officer Melanie Dunn on (08) 9486 2100 or [email protected].
