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Broadbent Gets Gippsland Drought SupportRussell Broadbent, Member for McMillan, can today confirm that finally, farmers in South and West Gippsland can now apply for a range of assistance under the Australian Government’s Drought Support Package. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 27th March 2007 - Back to News This comes following the announcement today of interim Exceptional Circumstances (EC) assistance.
Mr Broadbent said the declaration would provide farmers and farm-dependent small businesses with up to $14 million in drought assistance including the opportunity to apply to Centrelink for up to six months income support.
"The lack of rain in South and West Gippsland has led to severe water shortages and a decline in pasture growth. The costs associated with supplementary feeding and water carting made necessary by these conditions has greatly reduced farm incomes," Mr Broadbent said.
"For the past three months I have been visiting and talking to farming groups, individual farmers, industry and community leaders and regional water authorities. These talks resulted in me putting a strong case to the Prime Minister, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and his Victorian state counterpart.
An assessment has found that the region satisfies the criteria for interim EC assistance. The EC interim declaration covers the Local Government Areas of Baw Baw, Bass Coast, Cardinia and South Gippsland.
"Whilst I am excited about this result, I am more relieved for farmers" Mr Broadbent said
"This means the whole of Victoria has been declared a drought and while today’s announcement brings assistance it also brings recognition by all levels of government and the public that our area is doing it tough"
"The EC application has now been referred to the National Rural Advisory Council (NRAC) – an independent group of primary producers and agribusiness professionals – for a comprehensive assessment. NRAC will recommend to the Government whether or not the criteria for full EC are met.
"I urge farmers and small business operators not to self-assess but to contact Centrelink or the Drought Assistance Hotline on 13 23 16 to discuss their eligibility for assistance as soon as possible."
Application forms for EC interim income support are available from local Centrelink offices or by calling 13 23 16.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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