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Canberra Today 15°/18° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

ACT government commits to helping Canberra farmers

A SUPPORT package for farmers in the ACT will follow NSW’s lead and will provide freight subsidies for farmers forced to source expensive feed for their stock. 

The ACT government announced the ACT Farmers Support Package this morning (August 14) following extended dry conditions in Canberra, which are similar to surrounding areas in NSW.

The first six months of this year have seen 34 per cent less rainfall and one degree warmer temperature than the long-term average. This follows last year which saw 21 per cent less rainfall than the long-term average.

The ACT government will put in place several assistance measures for eligible farmers:

  • a 50 per cent freight transport subsidy scheme based on the recently announced NSW model. This will provide a subsidy of up to $20,000 on transport of fodder and/or water to a property, as well as the movement of stock. The subsidy will be from July 2018 for a period of 12 months (based on receipt);
  • new ACT Rural Resilience Grants (totalling up to $150,000) in 2018/19 that farmers can apply for to co-fund drought-related property management plans and on-ground works that minimise future dry condition impacts; and
  • collation of an inventory of unleased Territory land that may be suitable for relief grazing, including examining required improvements such as fencing to make blocks suitable for agistment.

For more information visit environment.act.gov.au

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Ian Meikle, editor

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