March 13th, 2022Grants for primary producers

Grant assistance is now available under joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding to assist primary producers directly affected by the Victorian Floods and Storms which occurred from 9-11 June 2021 with costs associated with clean-up and recovery activities needed to reinstate their primary production enterprise.

The maximum grant amount available under this program is $25,000 (GST exclusive). Applications for grant assistance close on 31 May 2022. To apply for a grant or to see if you are eligible, visit www.ruralfinance.com.au
To be eligible for the grant, Macedon Ranges applicants must:
 be a primary producer earning more than 50% of your income from the farming business;*
 hold an Australian Business Number (ABN) and have held that ABN at the time of the disaster;
 have been engaged in carrying on the primary production enterprise when affected by the eligible disaster; and
 intend to re-establish the primary production enterprise.
Grants are provided to help pay for the costs of clean up and recovery activities associated with the reinstatement of primary production enterprises. Eligible claims may cover:
 Hiring or leasing of equipment and materials to undertake clean-up.
 Additional labour costs for clean-up (above and beyond normal wage expenditure).
 Removing or disposing of debris or damaged goods and materials.
 Repairing or replacing fencing or essential property infrastructure essential for resuming operation of the business.
 Reconditioning/repairing or replacing essential plant and equipment.
 Repairing, and/or restoring farmland and pasture eg. due to erosion, landslips, silting or severe inundation caused by the eligible disaster
 Purchase and transport of fodder, grain, or feeds for livestock, including poultry, and/or stock agistment costs that were essential to supplement lost pasture and fodder in the two months following the eligible disaster.
 Purchase or hire/lease costs for equipment essential to the immediate resumption of the business.
 Payment for technical and specialist advice to support remediation of landslips, erosion or pasture or for safety inspections of damaged property or equipment, and to clean-up or remove fallen trees or dangerous debris.
Compensation for lost income is not an eligible item for grant assistance. This grant is intended for restoration activities only.