GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE GRANTS
Additional support being offered as part of the State Government’s assistance package for the River Murray floods include;
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River Murray Flood Primary Producer Recovery Grants - Eligible primary producers will benefit from $45.9 million allocated, enabling grants of up to $75,000 per producer. The objective of this grant is to support primary producers that have suffered direct loss or damage as a result of the 2022-23 River Murray Floods. Grants are available for individual primary production businesses to assist with costs for clean-up and recovery and will cover expenditure incurred on or after 15 November 2022. Visit the PIRSA website here to apply.
- Generator Grants – administered by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science. Up to $500 for affected households and $4,000 grants for affected businesses and primary produces cut off from power during the 2022 River Murray Flood. Details can be found here.
- Business Levee Engineering Support Grant – administered by the Department of Environment and Water. Grants of up to $1,000 per business for engineering advice in the remediation or construction of levee banks. More information can be found here.
- Business Levee Embankments Remediation and Construction Grant – administered by the Department of Environment and Water. Grants of up to $50,000 per business (on a 50% cost share arrangement) to assist businesses for the remediation of existing or construction of new levee embankments. More details are available here.
FAMILY AND BUSINESS MENTORS (FABS)
FABS mentors have been activated by PIRSA and are already working with concerned residents. FaB mentors are experienced in discussing and addressing issues arising from adverse events and are also able to assist producers with applications for financial support.
Find your local FABS contact here.
INFRASTRUCTURE
SA Power networks is working through reconnections as fast as possible. As of Wednesday 15 February 2023, 228 reconnections had been completed.
Ferries which are now operational include Lyrup, Waikerie (with restrictions for heavy vehicles), Cadel, Tailem Bend, Narrung.
The Department for Transport and local councils are undertaking road and infrastructure assessments as assets become accessible. www.traffic.sa.gov.au remains the best resource for real time road openings and closures.
SA Power Networks is encouraging producers to contact them with concerns on 131261. Information on power with respect to the floods can be found here.
RE-ESTABLISHING OF LEVEE NETWORK AND DEWATERING
With the recovery phase initiated, re-establishment of the levee network and dewatering process is the highest priority for producers in the Lower Murray region.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) is leading planning and coordination activities relating dewatering as the necessary levee repair work is complete. PIRSA is currently working with South Australian Dairy Association (SADA) to begin dewatering of areas that are ready to begin in the coming weeks.
PIRSA will also work with industry and other state government agencies, to undertake an engagement process with Irrigation Trusts in the Lower Murray to determine the broader recovery requirements for each Trust.
COMMUNITY AND INDUSTRY FORUM
Last Friday, a community barbecue was held at Murray Bridge, arranged by Livestock SA, SA Dairy Association and PIRSA to hear from the community and ensure primary producers have an ongoing, direct line of contact to state government to address issues and concerns. PIRSA will be establishing an advisory group and will seek to meet regularly with industry groups and impacted farmers.
It is intended that another industry Teams meeting will scheduled in within the next week or so.
Additional resources and assistance can be found at SA.GOV.AU - Recovery (www.sa.gov.au)