Liverpool Plains emergency assistance inclusion welcome says Joyce

28 Mar 2014

 

 

Member for New England Barnaby Joyce said the inclusion of the Liverpool Plains in the NSW Government’s expanded emergency drought assistance package would be almost as welcome as the rain that fell this week.

 

Liverpool Plains is one of four local government areas highlighted by the NSW Premier Andrew Stoner and Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson on Friday being added to the $14.6 million package.

 

Mr Joyce said the measures for land-holders in the Liverpool Plains shire included:

• up to $20,000 per producer in the form of a Transport Assistance Reimbursement;

• up to $30,000 per producer for Emergency Water Infrastructure Grants; and

• the waiving of Western Lands Lease payments, Local Land Services rates and Wild Dog Destruction Board rates for a 12-month period, where applicable.

 

However the best news possible for farmers right throughout the electorate was the widespread rainfall recordings, Mr Joyce said.

 

“This week’s total for Barraba on the south-western edge of the electorate was 99mm of rain,” he said.

 

Other good rainfall totals for the week in the New England included, Woolbrook, 68mm, Gunnedah airport, 121mm, Tenterfield, 90mm, Armidale, 120, Guyra, 106mm, Inverell, 134mm and Quirindi 52mm.

 

“While it hasn’t rained grass the news that farmers in the Liverpool Plains Shire can now access emergency assistance will be a great boost,” Mr Joyce said.

 

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