Disaster Grants Available after SA Storms

Article by: Hari Yellina (Orchard Tech)

At the present moment, recovery funds of up to 10,000 dollars are available for those who were affected by the rainstorms. These funds will be distributed through disaster recovery grants. Hence, the South Australian producers who faced losses as a result of the October storm will be compensated. Assistance is also being provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for those who suffered losses. In October, strong winds, heavy rainfall and hail caused a great amount of damage to crops and farm infrastructure all throughout Southern Australia.

From the Eyre Peninsula right through to the Victorian border, the storms impacted many different farming sectors. While grain farmers regularly insure their crops against possible hail damage for other types of farms insurance products are far more difficult. The storm smashed horticultural producers on the Adelaide Plains and caused enormous damage to infrastructures like glasshouses and the crops within them. It is estimated that that over $100 million worth of damage was caused to the horticultural community. Similarly wine grapes, particularly focused in the Clare region also suffered serious damage and significantly reduced tonnages for the coming vintage.

Therefore, the grants can be used for clean-up and debris removal, salvaging crops and repairs to damaged farm infrastructure and equipment and will lessen the impact and disruption of production. The storm was unprecedented in the way it hit so many different farming sectors. The disaster recovery grants provide short-term targeted assistance to help growers get back to business as soon as possible.