The Nationals’ Members for Lyne, Myall Lakes, and Upper Hunter are calling on the NSW and Federal Governments to declare last weekend’s severe flooding across the region an additional disaster event, enabling affected landholders and primary producers to access further support.
With farms and paddocks across the Hunter and Mid North Coast regions once again inundated, Federal Member for Lyne, Alison Penfold, says governments must act quickly to address the escalating impact on producers, many of whom are still recovering from earlier floods this year.
“Farmers in our region have already faced enormous challenges, and this latest flooding has hit paddocks that had only just been sown. The ground is completely sodden, crops are destroyed, and there’s a real concern about a looming fodder shortage in the months ahead,” Ms Penfold said.
“Together with my local state colleagues, we’re calling for Category D assistance – including the $10,000 Rural Landholder Grant and the $75,000 Special Disaster Relief Grant – to be made available in response to the latest flooding. It must be declared as a new event so affected producers can once-again access the support they need.”
The MPs are also calling for a change in how grants are allocated, urging governments to allocate grants per property rather than per ABN, to ensure fairer access to support across affected farm holdings.
“Support must reflect the reality on the ground. Farmers with multiple properties under a single ABN are effectively penalised under the current arrangements, and that needs to change.”
Ms Penfold also raised concerns about the continued delay in support for small businesses affected by the May floods, who are still waiting for the same level of assistance provided to primary producers.
“With damage continuing to mount, our producers and small businesses need a fast, fair, and targeted response – they can’t afford to keep waiting.
State Member for Myall Lakes, Tanya Thompson, said “Every week that goes by without support means more local jobs lost, more families put under pressure, and entire industries vanishing and never returning.”
NSW Nationals Member for Upper Hunter, Dave Layzell, has stressed the need for urgent and adequate support for farmers.
“Riverbanks have taken a battering from the intense rainfall during May and again at the weekend. Primary producers and landholders urgently need funding so they can repair the damaged riverine environment,” Mr Layzell said.
“I cannot stress just how demanding this winter has been, so governments must step up now and help our regional businesses before circumstances beyond their control force them to the wall.”
