Farmers in Greater Shepparton affected by the March 23 hailstorm that ripped through the area can now apply for concessional loans of up to $250,000.
Some tomato and fruit growers in Tatura, Ardmona and Shepparton North lost 50 to 100 per cent of their produce during the freak storm, which for many was the final nail in the coffin after devastating floods in October and intense storms in November and December.
The concessional loans, part of the federal-state Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, will support eligible primary producers to re-establish operations, restore and/or replace damaged assets and pay for working capital expenses that cannot be met due to a loss of income.
Federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said the hailstorm was the third significant storm to have hit Greater Shepparton during the current horticultural season.
“Significant infrastructure damage was sustained, including orchard netting and poles. Unfortunately for this event, hail netting offered limited protection given the size of the hail and the direction of the storm,” Senator Watt said.
“As well as help for farmers, there are also other forms of disaster assistance available for this event, including debris-removal help for residents, and assistance for local councils to fix up roads and public assets.”
Victorian Agriculture Minister Gayle Tierney said she was pleased to announce financial support for hard-hit horticultural growers who had felt the full impact of storms since November.
“The March storm hit growers in the Goulburn Valley on the eve of harvest and caused significant damage to the apple harvest (and compounded the impacts of previous flood and storm events),” Ms Tierney said.
“This financial support recognises the significant impact that the recent storms and floods have had on many in the horticultural sector.
“This additional provision of a concessional loan of up to $250,000 to eligible growers recognises the impacts sustained by many in this sector in the past six months and acknowledges the need to support our fruit and vegetable growers.”
For more information on the new concessional loans, as well as the range of other financial support measures available, visit Rural Finance at www.ruralfinance.com.au or call 1800 260 425.