More support for rural Tasmanians doing it tough

The Tasmanian Government has doubled the amount of support available under the Rural Relief Fund as well as relaxing the criteria for applicants, so that more people are eligible for assistance.

Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jane Howlett, said the extra support was in recognition of the extended impacts of the dry and drought conditions experienced by many Tasmanian families and communities.

“As part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, we will always back our farmers and primary producers, and the Government has provided significant assistance to help support them during the unseasonably dry conditions this year,” Minister Howlett said.

“Even with recent rains in some regions, we know that the extended dry conditions have had long-lasting impacts and especially on cost-of-living for families.

“As the Tasmanian Government’s Seasonal Conditions Grant Schemes close on 31 August, further help will now available through the Rural Relief Fund.

“The fund -  which we have invested $750,000 into – will now offer grants of up to $5,000 (up from $2,500) in recognition of the ongoing pressures faced by some farmers and their households.

“In addition, the eligibility criteria to access grants has been expanded so that semi-commercial farmers (those who receive income from non-farm related activities) can also apply to Rural Business Tasmania to discuss their eligibility.”

Rural Business Tasmania will contact all those who have received a recent grant in the coming weeks, to advise them they can now apply for additional support of up to a total of $5,000.

Minister Howlett thanked Biosecurity Tasmania, the rural support and community organisations, including Rural Business Tasmania, Rural Alive and Well, Rural Youth Tasmania, and the networks of Mens Sheds and Neighbourhood Houses.

“We have also listened carefully to calls from farmers’ advocacy group TasFarmers on the availability and prices of feed and fodder and the need to ensure positive animal welfare outcomes – and we took swift action in response,” she said.

Minister Howlett said that Tasmanian farmers and producers still had time to access the Tasmanian Government’s Seasonal Conditions hardship grants program, with applications closing at the end of this week (31 August 2024).

More than 500 grants totalling nearly $4 million have now been paid to farmers on both King and Flinders Islands, as well as mainland Tasmania, since the support schemes commenced earlier this year.

“Importantly, in addition to the Seasonal Conditions schemes there is a range of other support available, and we’ll continue to back our farmers and producers during these difficult times,” Minister Howlett said.

Details on Rural Relief Fund applications can be found on Rural Business Tasmania website here https://www.ruralbusinesstasmania.org.au/relief-fund

Details Details on the hardship grants schemes (closing end of this week) and a range of other support available for Tasmanian producers can be found on the NRE Tasmania Managing Seasonal Conditions page https://nre.tas.gov.au/agriculture/government-and-community-programs/managing-seasonal-conditions