Low-interest loans and additional staffing to fast track Farm Household Allowance applications were among extensions to federal drought assistance measures announced in Forbes on Sunday.
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Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull fronted a press conference at HE Silos on Sunday to announce the next phase of the Federal Government’s drought package.
The Prime Minister was shown around the silo manufacturing business, NSW 2016 Business of the Year, by three generations of the Morrison family.
Mr Turnbull, alongside Member for Riverina Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, Agriculture and Water Minister David Littleproud and Regional Development Minister John McVeigh, then spoke to media.
They announced funding for enhanced long term weather forecasting, water infrastructure and councils in drought-affected areas.
Read more: Empty tanks? Fill up at Forbes Shire Council
Low-interest loans available to farmers have been increased from $1 million to $2 million, for immediate needs such as purchasing feed and fodder. The first five years will remain interest only.
There will be $1 million for each of 60 councils in drought-affected areas, with improvements needed to a Forbes Shire Council standpipe given as an example of the works that could be done.
“We know drought is felt as hard on the main street as it is in the back paddock which is why our drought response is designed to help farmers as well as the towns and communities that surround them,” Mr McVeigh said.
Read more: Wyangala Dam levels falling
The measures include changes to depreciation that mean primary producers can immediately deduct the cost of fodder storage assets, such as silos and hay sheds used to store grain and other animal feed storage.
There will also be a special drought round under the National Water Infrastructure Development fund, “to identify those pipes, those dams, that we can help to build the resilience, to build … the sustainability, productivity and profitability of agriculture,” Mr Littleproud said.
They also had a couple of requests to those tuning in to the day’s coverage. Mr Turnbull asked everyone to pray for rain.
Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources David Littleproud stole the floor when he urged city dwellers to “get off their arse” and visit the drought-affected communities, at the prompting of Lucy Turnbull.
“Come out and spend a dollar and be part of our communities,” Mr Littleproud said.
“We'd love to have you out in regional and rural Australia.”
The Bureau of Meteorology will get $2.7 million to develop new finer scale regional weather and climate guides so farmers “have the management tools to make the right decisions” about stocking density, Mr Littleproud said.
The announcement met with mixed reaction as it was streamed live via the Advocate’s Facebook page.
Read more: NSW Farmers welcome assistance
A number of followers asked why the event hadn’t been made open to the public to ask questions.
Others suggested a revisit of the water sharing plans that saw a huge reduction in the volume of water available to irrigators.
“Your (sic) standing in a town where 2 yrs ago was surrounded by water,” Chris Francis wrote.
“150000megs in Wyangala owned by Govt, dams on 60% but no allocation to farmers. 2yrs after a flood. Carting hay from WA. Lunacy!”
Mr Turnbull said the announcement followed extensive consultation.
