Disaster recovery grants of up to $10,000 are now available to local primary producers affected by the severe storms from 28 to 29 October 2021.
Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said hail, strong winds and heavy rainfall caused significant damage to crops and farm infrastructure across South Australia on those days.
“From Eyre Peninsula right through to the Victorian border, the storms impacted many different farming sectors,” he said.
“While grain farmers regularly insure their crops against possible hail damage for other types of farms insurance products are far more difficult,” Mr Ramsey said. “The storm smashed horticultural producers on the Adelaide Plains and caused enormous damage to infrastructure like glasshouses and the crops within them.”
“It is estimated a $100m damage was caused to horticulture on the Adelaide Plains alone,” he said. “Similarly wine grapes, particularly focussed in the Clare region also suffered serious damage and significantly reduced tonnages for the coming vintage,” he said. “It goes without saying this sector is already under stress wearing the brunt of Chinese Communist Party’s attacks on the Australian economy.
“The disaster recovery grants provide short-term targeted assistance to help growers get back to business as soon as possible and are part of the long-standing Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) triggered by the state’s commitment and taper up to increase Commonwealth assistance as the severity of the event increases.
“The grants can be used for clean-up and debris removal, salvaging crops and repairs to damaged farm infrastructure and equipment and will lessen impact and disruption of production.
Disaster assistance is available to primary producers in the 24 council areas across the state including Adelaide Plains, Barunga West, Clare and Gilbert Valleys, Cleve, Elliston, Light, Port Pirie, Tumby Bay, Wakefield and Yorke Peninsula in Grey.
For more information visit www.pir.sa.gov.au/storms
Further information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au.
Media Contact: Leonie Lloyd-Smith 08 8633 1744 November 29 2021.