Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Minister for Regionalisation, Regional Communications and Regional Education
Joint Media Release
Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie
Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience
The Hon David Basham MP
South Australian Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development
Disaster recovery grants of up to $10,000 will be available to South Australian primary producers affected by severe spring storms which have recently hit the state.
Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said hail, strong winds and heavy rainfall caused significant damage to crops and farm infrastructure across South Australia.
"The severe weather devastated horticulture and farming properties from the Eyre Peninsula right across South Australia to the Victorian border," Minister McKenzie said.
"Without the right support, the storm's widespread impact on the farming sector could mean production and viability disruption well beyond the current season.
"The disaster recovery grants will provide short-term targeted assistance to help impacted growers get back to business as soon as possible. The grants can be used for essential recovery and reinstatement activities including clean-up and debris removal, salvaging crops and repairs to damaged farm infrastructure and equipment."
South Australian Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development the Hon David Basham MP said the event impacted an unprecedented number of primary production sectors
"The storm was widespread, impacting farmers across the state, including grain growers on the Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas, Barossa grape growers, horticulturalists on the Northern Adelaide Plains, Adelaide Hills apple, pear, cherry and grape growers, and Riverland almond, grape, stonefruit and citrus producers," Minister Basham said.
"Early damage estimates for loss of crops and infrastructure are coming to more than $350 million.
"The State Government activated staff immediately to work with industry and growers to quantify the damage to production caused by the storm, identify recovery needs, help with clean up particularly around the Northern Adelaide Plains and provide wellbeing support.
"Disaster recovery grants of up to $10,000 will help South Australia's resilient farmers and growers get back on their feet and continue to produce some of the world's best food and fibre."
Disaster assistance is available to primary producers in the 24 council areas of Adelaide Hills, Adelaide Plains, Barossa, Barunga West, Berri Barmera, Clare and Gilbert Valleys, Cleve, Coorong, Elliston, Gawler, Karoonda East Murray, Light, Loxton Waikerie, Mid Murray, Mount Barker, Murray Bridge, Playford, Port Pirie, Renmark Paringa, Salisbury, Tea Tree Gully, Tumby Bay, Wakefield and Yorke Peninsula.
Applications for the disaster recovery grants will open on Monday 29 November 2021. Further information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government's Disaster Assist website.
