Flood assistance available to primary producers
Widespread rainfall across Western Australia has caused damage to agricultural land and infrastructure.
Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia staff have concluded work in the Ravensthorpe and Lake Grace areas, where they conducted site visits focussing on Flood Impact Assessment. Staff targeted particular properties, across different soil types and landscapes, for their site visits.
The information collected is integral to the State Government decision making processes for Western Australia Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (WANDRRA).
DAFWA have been in contact with growers in affected areas through surveys, direct contact and events and will continue to work with local government, regional NRM groups and other government departments to provide support to affected landholders.
The Flooding in Western Australia (January and February 2017) has been proclaimed an eligible disaster under the WANDRRA, jointly funded by the State and Australian governments, and Category A and B are already available to primary producers.
The proclamation currently covers 91 local government areas, from the Kimberley to the South Coast, enabling primary producers to apply for:
- reimbursement of up to 50 per cent for freight costs associated with transporting livestock, fodder or building or fencing equipment or machinery;
- reimbursement for costs of materials only to repair or replace boundary fencing damaged or lost where it adjoins a major road or rail corridor and where roaming livestock may present a danger to the travelling public;
- grants of up to $1500 to provide professional advice related to the disaster, such as financial, agronomic and animal husbandry issues;
- interest rate subsidy on a new loan to repair or replace assets lost or damaged, or to replace livestock lost in the disaster.
Assistance is not provided as compensation for general damage or losses sustained, or as a disincentive to obtaining commercial insurance.
However, landowners whose fencing claim has been rejected by their insurer (i.e. hydrologic determination) may have their claim on boundary fencing considered under the WANDRRA , if all other conditions and or qualifications are met.
For details about WANDRRA assistance for primary producers visit agric.wa.gov.au/wandrra or call DAFWA’s Rural Business Development Unit on 1800 198 231.
Do not self-assess, contact a WANDRRA assessor to talk about your situation.
WANDRRA applications for primary producers must be lodged before 13 August 2017.
Primary producers concerned that they will experience financial hardship as a result of these rainfall events should contact the Rural Financial Counselling Service on freecall 1800 612 004.
The Regional Men’s Health Initiative is available to work with communities and individuals experiencing distress as result of these events by contacting (08) 9690 2277.
Information on flood recovery measures and support is available on the Department of Agriculture and Food website agric.wa.gov.au