Australia: Macadamia Society welcomes long overdue flood relief assistance

The Australian Macadamia Society (AMS) has welcomed today’s announcement of Category C assistance for local farmers hit by the January and February floods. More than 150 macadamia farmers across the Ballina, Byron and Richmond Valley local government areas may now be eligible to apply for the $15,000 in clean-up and recovery grants, announced by the Attorney-General and Minister for Emergency Management Mark Dreyfus QC and NSW Minister for Police and Emergency Services, Michael Gallacher.

“The AMS is relieved that assistance has finally been granted to farmers in these areas, and we are grateful to the Federal and State governments for their support. We are especially thankful to Federal Member for Page Janelle Safin MP for her prompt and continuing assistance to our industry in a time of need,” said AMS Chief Executive Officer Mr. Burnett.

Mr. Burnett said it was unfortunate that growers in the midst of their harvest had to wait five months to get the flood assistance, when Lismore, Tweed and Nambucca growers suffering the same damage had received assistance in March.

“We are disappointed it has taken so long, but what’s important is that the assistance is now available to our growers in these shires and they can get on with the job of harvesting their crops.

“However we don’t want affected growers to have to wait this long again and we are seeking a thorough review of how disaster assistance is implemented in NSW.”

When the floods hit in January and February, the AMS was quick to call for a fast-tracked declaration of Category C assistance in the hardest hit macadamia growing areas - it estimated that 80 per cent of the region’s macadamia farms were affected, resulting in $13million of lost production and a clean-up bill of more than $7million.

Extensive damage estimates compiled by the Society showed that macadamia growers in the Ballina and Byron LGAs had suffered extensive orchard damage, with some growers losing up to 10% of their trees and 30% of their crop.

Mr. Burnett is encouraging all macadamia growers in these areas affected by the floods and storms earlier this year to contact the New South Wales Rural Assistance Authority to test their eligibility.

For further information on the grants, including eligibility, refer to the NSW Rural Assistance Authority by calling 1800 678 593, or visit their website at http://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/.