New modeling has shown it will cost Hawke's Bay horticultural businesses $1.5 billion to recover from Cyclone Gabrielle. A recovery will cost a total of $1.5 billion dollars, but the organizations involved are asking the government for $750 million.
A recovery project outlines three key areas where funding is needed: for the clean-up and recovery and removing silt; the second part is assistance to get vegetable crops planted soon so that businesses can generate cashflow and the third is help for re-establishing permanent orchards and vineyards that have been wiped out.
When the government responds to the framework was the burning question on everyone's lips at a growers' meeting in Hawke's Bay on Thursday. Meanwhile, Agriculture Minister Damien O'Connor said the government was still waiting for one comprehensive report from the Hawke's Bay Recovery Agency before making any decisions.
Source: rnz.co.nz