South Australian primary producers in bushfire-affected regions can now apply for grants of up to $75,000 to help rebuilding and recovery efforts.
Guidelines outlining eligibility criteria and application details are now available online or in person at the local recovery centres established at Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills and Parndana on Kangaroo Island.
Federal Minister for Agriculture Bridget McKenzie said the grants would provide primary production businesses hit hard by recent fires with the support they needed to rebuild.
"The impact from these fires has been widespread across our primary industries and it’s clear these rural businesses will need our continued support to rebuild," said Minister McKenzie.
"These grants of up to $75,000 per producer will help businesses access farming essentials, while also supporting clean up and rebuilding activities and other vital measures to get agricultural operations back up and running as soon as possible.
"This is an uncapped program so if demand tips the initial $100 million in emergency bushfire funding committed, we will work with state governments to ensure money will continue to flow."
Grant applications are open to primary producers in the local government areas of; Adelaide Hills, Kangaroo Island, Murray Bridge, Mount Barker, Mid Murray, Yorke Peninsula and Kingston.
South Australian Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone urged producers impacted by the fires to apply.
"Our primary industries are the backbone of regional South Australia and we will do everything we can to help these businesses and the communities that depend on them to recover from these devastating bushfires," said Minister Whetstone.
"Primary producers from livestock owners and horticulture producers, to fishers, private foresters and beekeepers will all be eligible to apply under the extended definition of primary producers in the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
"We are committed to getting money out the door to farmers and working with industries to help them get back on their feet and prospering again.
"Importantly, producers who have already applied for a Category C recovery grant, may apply for additional amounts up to the maximum $75,000."
This assistance is being provided through a joint Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement between states and territories and the Commonwealth Government.
For information on how to apply for the Emergency Bushfire Response in Primary Industries Grants Program in South Australia, download the guidelines and application form from pir.sa.gov.au/recoverygrants, call the Recovery Hotline on 1800 931 314 or visit a local recovery centre.