Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidy (ECIRS) - First round of applications close 22 October 2008.
Assistance to Support Breeding Stock - Applications close 30 September 2008
Application form for assistance to support breeding stock - closes 30 September 2008
This application form (2 pg, 41kb pdf file) needs to be completed.
If the farmer is receiving an interest rate subsidy then the details from that application can be used to assess the level of need. If the farmer is only in receipt of a Centrelink EC Relief Payment they will need to provide evidence of this. This form is also available from Service Tasmania Shops.
You must also provide a tax invoice to DPIW for the amount of benefit being claimed (up to $5000). Send this with the application form.
Some Q&A regarding this program are available to be downloaded as a pdf (2 pg, 55 kb file)
Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidy - First round of applications close 22 October 2008.
In May 2007 areas of Tasmania were drought declared, and two applications for exceptional circumstances were submitted to the Australian Government for consideration. In September 2007 the Australian Government announced that these areas will immediately have access to full exceptional circumstances support, including the ECIRS Scheme.
The Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidy (ECIRS) scheme provides interest subsidies to eligible Tasmanian farm and agriculture-dependent small businesses severely affected by drought. The scheme is funded by the Australian and Tasmanian Governments and administered by Tasmania's Department of Primary Industries and Water (DPIW). To receive support, applicants must meet assessment criteria determined by the Australian Government.
Check out further Tasmanian Drought Assistance Measures, go to the drought section for general information, or contact DPIW by email on drought@dpiw.tas.gov.au or by phone on 1300 368 550.
National Review on Drought Policy
The Australian Government is conducting a comprehensive national review of drought policy through three separate assessments. The review will support the development of policies to help better prepare farmers and rural communities for a changing climate.
The review will include:
- an economic assessment of drought support measures by the Productivity Commission
- an assessment by an expert panel of the social impacts of drought on farm families and rural communities
- a climatic assessment by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Bureau of Meteorology of the likely future climate patterns and the current Exceptional Circumstances standard of a one-in-20-to-25-year-event.
More information can be found on the website at www.daff.gov.au/agriculture-food/drought/national_review_of_drought_policy
Centrelink Support
Producers need to contact Centrelink or
call the Australian Government Drought Assistance Hotline on 13 23 16
to check their eligibility for other drought support and for further
information.
Drought assistance
Tasmanian Government Media Release - 23 April 2008 (www.media.tas.gov.au )
A $2.5 million package for farmers and their communities suffering from
drought in Tasmania was announced today by Premier Paul Lennon and
Minister for Primary Industries and Water David Llewellyn. Mr Lennon
acknowledged farmers in drought affected areas of the State are
struggling to maintain their breeding stock as some of them enter their
third year of drought.
Many farmers have been hand feeding their sheep for more than 18 months, at a huge financial and social cost. Currently about $2.8 million has been paid in interest rate subsidies jointly by Commonwealth and State Governments, and a further $1.2 million in Centrelink payments have gone to farmers in drought declared areas, however more needs to be done.
It is increasingly clear additional assistance was needed to help farmers get through the drought as for many the outlook is depressingly bleak with the likelihood of a failed autumn season. The Tasmanian Government will provide an extra $2.5 million to assist farmers directly with costs associated with maintaining breeding stock, and to help rural communities cope with the flow-on problems that come with drought.
$2.15 million would be available to provide direct financial assistance to help farmers feed their stock, establish additional drought lots on farms and to reduce costs associated with statutory water charges. The package will enable eligible farmers to receive up to $5,000 to help maintain stock over the coming winter.
Up to $350,000 will be provided to support a number of community programs: including the Rural Alive and Well program, the Country Women's Association community grants program, Aussie Helpers and increased support for the an additional counsellor for Rural Financial Counselling Tasmania.
The Country Women's Association had been distributing small cash grants to help farming families pay for food, rates, power and telephone bills, and the Government will provide funds to allow this support to continue.These additional measures will provide a much needed boost to those already struggling to deal with the impact of the worst drought in living memory.
The application form and Q&A of these additional assistance is available below. For further information on drought assistance contact DPIW on 1300 368 550 or email drought@dpiw.tas.gov.au .
