Bushfire Relief for Farmers
The Australian farming community has been hit pretty hard in recent times; drought and now the recent devastating bushfires have meant that a lot of farmers are desperate for help.
If you’re in the primary industry then the Federal government’s bushfire relief grants could be then just the helping hand you need.
The Federal government bushfire relief programme is delivering some $100 million in grants to help those, like you, who have suffered damage to their farms in the recent fires.
The grants are applicable for damage caused by any of the bushfire events dating back to August 2019 and offer up to $75,000 for each individual property that meets the criteria.
The goal of the bushfire relief programme is to help you get back on your feet. Any disaster is enormously stressful. And the financial cost involved in returning your farm back to full production is one of those especially tough aspects.
This grant is about helping you get back to a semblance of normality and your farm up and running as quickly as possible.
The grants may be used to:
- Help with clean-up costs
- Prevent further damage and deterioration
- Replace damaged farm buildings and infrastructure
- Make repairs to fencing
- Replacing or repairing essential equipment
Who is Eligible For a Grant?
The grants are available for anyone in the farming and primary industries if you meet the following criteria:
- Your property sustained significant damage due to the fire bushfires since August 2019
- Were undertaking farming activities at the time the property was damaged by the fires
- You are committed to rebuilding your primary production business in the same area
- You earn or expect to earn more than 50% of your income from primary production
- You are not a corporation
- You have completed an application before 31st July 2020
You may still be eligible even if you don’t earn more than 50% of your income from primary production.
But you need to demonstrate that you will earn more than 50% income within 3 years or that your income has been seriously reduced by drought and that your non-primary production income is less than $100,000.
What Can the Grant be Used For?
The grant may be used to repair or replace damaged farm buildings, fences and other infrastructure.
One of the most common requirements will be for replacing damaged fencing including perimeter fencing, stock fencing, and security fencing.
You cannot use the grants to repair residential housing or where the property is covered by insurance.
How do I apply for a grant?
Remember, applications can only be accepted for damage that is directly related to the bushfire itself.
You will need to provide photos of the damage sustained. It will be helpful if you have invoices, estimates or quotes to support your claim too.
Plus you will also need to supply the following:
- LGA & LLS Rates notices
- Up to date Farm Business tax returns & financial statements
- Personal tax returns for each individual member of your farm business
Use the links below to find out more information including application forms and guidelines from your relevant state agency.
| State agency and link to website | Contact number |
|---|---|
| New South Wales Rural Assistance Authority | 1800 678 593 |
| Queensland Rural Industry and Development Authority | 1800 623 946 |
| South Australia Primary Industries and Regions | 1800 931 314 |
| Victoria Rural Finance | 1800 260 425 |
Protective Fencing – Here for the Tough times
We supply all types of fencing and other steel products including:
- Farm gates & stock fencing
- Security fencing, gates & posts
- Gabions and perimeter fencing
- Aviary and animal enclosure mesh
- Welded wire mesh sheets
Our extensive range of wire mesh includes sheep yard mesh with mesh centres from 100mm x 250mm and cattle yard mesh.
We also supply a range of wire mesh which is ideal for pig pens such as our flooring mesh with mesh centres at 10mm x 50mm.
Of course we carry standard fencing wire sizes and a range of barbed wire too.
Plus we stock single and double farm gates in a variety of widths and heights. And don’t forget we also carry all the hinges and fastenings you’ll need to get the job done.
The Promax 358 Security Mesh is ideal for those areas where you need extra security to protect your property and assets as well as keeping people safe around potentially dangerous sites.
This sort of protection can be important on hemp farms for example, and other high value crops.
Protective has been supplying the Australian farming market with premium quality steel products for decades. With Protective you know you’ll get the best advice and the right products to rebuild your future.