Storm-hit Riverland growers still awaiting State Government grants six weeks on
RIVERLAND growers struggling financially are pleading for help ahead of Christmas, after a devastating hail storm caused $71.5 million of damage to their crops last month.
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RIVERLAND growers struggling financially are pleading for help ahead of Christmas, after a devastating hail storm caused $71.5 million of damage to their crops last month.
The State Government has inspected 260 storm-affected properties in the Riverland, but was yet to announce recovery grant funding — nearly six weeks after the November 11 storm.
Nectarine farmer Steve Brauer had nearly all of his stone fruit crop wiped out by golf-ball sized hail, which equated to a loss of income of about $60,000.
“We had about 600 trees which would’ve been picked the week after the hail and — going by the prices then and how much fruit was on the tree — it would’ve been a bumper year,” Mr Brauer said.
“I had to ring the bank straight away as I’d only just bought the property from my mum mid-year, fortunately the bank agreed to do a three month hold on any payments.
Mr Brauer confessed Christmas for his three children this year would be minimal as “we can’t do anything at the moment because I’ve got no money”.
Sunraysia, in northwest Victoria, was also impacted by the storm but affected properties have had concessional loans available from the Victorian Government since December 1.
Under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, the Federal Government provided financial assistance to the states to assist with disaster relief and recovery measures.
Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister Leon Bignell said the Government had applied for assistance from the Australian Government and was waiting for confirmation.
“We will continue to work with those affected in the local community to offer any assistance we can,” Mr Bignell said.
Chaffey MP Tim Whetstone said six weeks was too long for growers to wait for help — some of whom had lost their income for the financial year.
“Many growers who have lived through low commodity prices and the drought are at breaking point with the severe extent of hail damage,” Mr Whetstone said.
“It is confronting to see and we must do everything possible to support these farmers, to get back on their feet as soon as possible.
“I’ve had constructive conversations with State and Federal Governments but we now need to fast-track a package of support to these growers, almost six weeks without knowing what form of assistance may be offered is simply too long.”
Rural Business Support chief executive Brett Smith said financial counsellors based in Berri were averaging five serious inquiries a week since the storm.
“We had an increasing number of inquires, particularly from stone fruit growers as they were about to harvest and they lost their crops,” Mr Smith said.
“The immediate concern for them is cash flow.
“We’re a free service which assess the immediate situation and direct them to a Federal Government income support scheme, the farm household allowance.”