The proram was 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 (AGRN 969) 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).

Should an initial application be for less than the maximum grant amount, further applications may be submitted before the closing date if additional expenditure is required to complete clean-up and restoration activities.

Applications for grant assistance closed on 31 May 2022.

What areas are eligible for assistance?

Flood or storm affected areas within the local government areas of Ballarat, Bass Coast, Baw Baw, Bayside, Bendigo, Boroondara, Campaspe, Cardinia, Casey, Central Goldfields, Corangamite, Dandenong, East Gippsland, Frankston, Glen Eira, Hepburn, Hume, Kingston, Knox, Latrobe, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Manningham, Mansfield, Maroondah, Mitchell, Monash, Moorabool, Mornington Peninsula,  Mount Alexander, Murrindindi, Nillumbik, Port Phillip, Queenscliffe, Borough, South Gippsland, Stonnington, Wangaratta, Wellington, Whitehorse, Whittlesea and Yarra Ranges.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for the grant, the applicant 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 a primary production enterprise located in the defined area for the eligible disaster that has suffered direct damage as a result of the eligible 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.

*Unless as noted in the Program Guidelines the applicant is able to demonstrate in the ordinary course of business they would meet that requirement, but their primary production income is currently reduced due to drought or seasonal conditions; and/or due to long lead times to full production, (e.g. an orchard or vineyard is in early stages of development), the applicant expects to earn such an amount of income within a three year period, taking into account the nature of the industry.

Please refer to the Program Guidelines for further details.

To be eligible for assistance your application must be received by Rural Finance before the closing date of the program on 31 May 2022.

What activities will be funded?

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.

How do I apply?

Please submit the following documents with your completed application form:

• Proof of property location i.e., copy of latest Council Rates, lease documentation or share farming contract.
• Supporting documents including photographs or other evidence of the direct flood and storm impacts.
• Latest available Tax return and Financial Statement for your farm business.
• Tax invoices and/or receipts for expenses already incurred (Option A) or
• Quotes for eligible clean up and recovery activities if seeking In Principle Approval (Option B).

You may apply for ‘In-Principle Approval’ (Option B) before expenditure is committed by lodging the application with quotes for eligible clean up and recovery activities. Tax invoices or receipts must be submitted within 6 months of receiving In-Principle Approval to receive the grant payment.

Post or email a copy of your completed application form and supporting documents to:

Post: Rural Finance, PO Box 1313, Bendigo Central 3552 or

Email: admin@ruralfinance.com.au

Complete applications are processed in order of date received.

Further information:

Please refer to the attached Program Guidelines before completing an Application Form.

If you have any further questions, please contact Rural Finance on 1800 260 425.