The pilot region extends from Karratha to Esperance, and was selected on the basis of previous recipients of Exceptional
Circumstances.
Under the agreement the Western Australian Government will not be able to apply for an Exceptional Circumstances during
the period July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011. Eligible farmers are encouraged to participate in the pilot and provide feedback
on its effectiveness.
The main components are: (Click Headings for Fact Sheets)
Farm Planning: assistance for farmers to undertake a program of training to enhance their skills in business planning
Building Farm Businesses: grants of up to $60,000 to help farmers better manage and prepare for future challenges
Farm Family Support: income support to help families meet basic household needs
Stronger Rural Communities: grants of up to $300,000 for eligible local groups experiencing significant hardship due to
an agricultural downturn to build the resilience of their rural community and assist them to manage future hardship
Farm Social Support: a better co-ordinated social support network to meet mental health, counselling and social needs of
farming families and rural communities
Farm Exit Support: grants of up to $170,000 to support farmers who decide to sell their farm, including retraining and
relocation expenses
Beyond Farming: a program for farmers who want to know more about opportunities that arise when they sell up or
retire.
The WA Government will fund and administer the Farm Planning component of the trial and will administer the Building
Farm Businesses component.
It will commence on 1 July 2010 and end on 30 June 2011, although Building Farm Business grants will be spread over four
years.
Farmers wanting further information can access http://www.daff.gov.au/droughtpilot or call 13 23 16.
Drought Assistance
Update
On 2 August 2010 the State Government announced the establishment of a Dry Season Advisory Committee (DSAC) to
assist farmers and rural communities adversely affected by the dry seasonal conditions. The work undertaken by the DSAC
will complement the Drought Pilot Program.
The DSAC will ensure the impacts on growers can be identified and strategies can be recommended to help them make the
right decisions on how best to deal with their circumstances.
The DSAC committee will be chaired by Dexter Davies and include representatives from the Department of Agriculture and
Food; WAFarmers; Pastoralists and Graziers Association; Rural, Regional and Remote Women’s Network; agricultural
consultants; agri-business banking; local government; and financial counselling services.
Primarily the committee will gather and assess information as the 2010 season progresses to assist Government and other
agencies, including the departments of Agriculture and Food, Water, Transport and Regional Development.
The Barnett government is partnering the
Federal Government in a sensible new
trial to help farmers cope with drought.
The key components of the plan are a
commonsense approach to keeping
farmers on the land and helping others to
exit their properties with dignity.
The trial offers an improvement on the
Exceptional Circumstances grants made
in the past as it goes further than crisis
management.
.
Electorate Office: Unit 1, Druids Hall, Corner Durlacher and Sanford Streets, Geraldton, WA 6530. PO Box 231, Geraldton, WA 6531
Ph: +61 (08) 9923 9211; Fax: +61 (08) 9923 9222; Email: brian.ellis@mp.wa.gov.au
Ph: +61 (08) 9923 9211; Fax: +61 (08) 9923 9222; Email: brian.ellis@mp.wa.gov.au
Copyright Brian Ellis MLC © 2009 - 2011