A new assistance measure has been announced by the Morrison-McCormack Government today to support winemakers and the forestry industry impacted by the spring-summer bushfires.
Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan welcomed the assistance as the grape harvest for the 2020 vintage had been severely impacted by smoke taint yet winegrowers had found it difficult to access the existing $75,000 primary producer assistance grant.
“This new $5 million fund announced by the Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Agriculture Minister David Littleproud today will help winegrowers in Cowper recover from the bushfires,” he said.
“Grants of up to $10,000, matched by a co-contribution, are now available for wine grape producers who experienced crop loss because of smoke taint from the bushfires and have not accessed the $75,000 primary producer grant.
“I welcome this new assistance and I have been fairly pleased with how bushfire assistance has flowed to severely impacted residents and businesses in Cowper.
“As at late May, I know $45 million had been provided to residents in the five local government areas in Cowper and many millions more have flowed to impacted small businesses, yet these figures are only available by State.
“People who had their home destroyed in the bushfire and who have not yet contacted Laing O’Rourke to have the debris cleaned up for free should do so by calling 1800 007 539.”
The additional bushfire relief measures announced today adds to the Government’s commitment of $448.5 million for projects identified by communities as part of their local economic recovery plans, and the $15 million investment to help forestry industries transport and store the high volume of bushfire-affected trees.
The new assistance measures announced today include:
• A $40 million Forestry Recovery Development Fund for competitive grants that support processors to navigate future wood supply shortages through innovation and product diversification.
• $10 million for the establishment of storage facilities for processed timber products, fire-affected logs and other forestry products. The fund will produce additional certainty for mills and help businesses plan their long-term recovery.
• A $5 million fund for grants up to $10,000, matched by a co-contribution, for wine grape producers who experienced crop loss because of smoke taint from the Black Summer bushfires in wine regions that aren’t activated for the $75,000 primary producer grants.
• And a $31 million fund for grants of $120,000 per hectare for bushfire impacted apple growers. This program complements the support provided by the NSW government.
For more information about bushfire relief funding visit bushfirerecovery.com.au
