Drought assistance extended

The Tasmanian Government has announced it is extending its existing drought hardship grants until 31st August.

Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jane Howlett, said that the Government has taken the decision in light of the continued unseasonably dry conditions.

“The Tasmanian Government will always back our farmers and primary producers, and we have provided significant assistance to help support them during the unseasonal dry conditions this year,” Minister Howlett said.

“We have listened to calls from farmers and advocacy groups like TasFarmers on the availability and prices of feed and fodder and the need to ensure positive animal welfare outcomes.”

In addition, the Minister said she had written to Federal Agriculture Minister Senator Murray Watt requesting the Federal Government alter its settings under their Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) to re-establish an interest-free period on their Drought Assistance Loans, as was done previously.

“I’ve also written to Federal Transport Minister Catherine King calling for more support under the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES) for King Island and for southbound feed and fodder to mainland Tasmania during this time,” Ms Howlett said.

The extensions until 31 August 2024 apply to the Mainland Tasmania – Livestock Producers – Seasonal Conditions Scheme, which offers one-off payments of up to $5,000 to eligible mainland Tasmania farm businesses; and the King and Flinders Islands Primary Producers - Seasonal Conditions Scheme which offers financial support of up to $20,000.

Details on these schemes and a range of other support available for Tasmanian producers can be found on the NRE Tasmania Managing Seasonal Conditionspage https://nre.tas.gov.au/agriculture/government-and-community-programs/managing-seasonal-conditions

As of 27 June, grants for 420 Tasmanian farmers have been approved totalling $3,390,000.