I recently announced an additional team of drought workers to speed up processing of Exceptional Circumstance (EC) claims through the NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA).

An additional 21 staff have been employed to ensure EC claims are assessed and processed swiftly.

The State Government wants eligible farmers and small businesses to have any assistance they are entitled to quickly, to relieve some of the pressure this drought is having on our rural communities.

The hardworking staff at the RAA have done a great job during this drought.

I thank them for their tireless effort that is making a big difference to many families surviving the long dry.

Contact the RAA, 1800 678 593.

Extra drought worker

An additional drought support worker has been employed at Dubbo to meet growing demand.

Pip Brown is based at the Department of Primary Industries’ (DPI) Dubbo office, and will work closely with producers and rural communities throughout the central and far west.

We now have a total of 10 part and full-time drought support workers based at various critical locations around the State, who are committed to providing information and assistance to drought-affected families.

Farm family gatherings and other drought-related information events continue to be well received by drought-affected communities, with record crowds attending.

In November alone there were over 100 farm family gathering activities or meetings held across NSW, attracting more than 6500 people.

The State Government will continue to support the important work of these essential front-line staff, along with a host of other drought-related assistance measures, for as long as this difficult drought continues to affect rural NSW.

A full list of drought support workers is available at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/drought

Cattle tick changes

The State Government will continue to support cattle tick and tick fever eradication programs and a number of new initiatives arising from the West Tick Fever Inquiry.

The key foundations that underpin the strength of the cattle tick program will be retained.

We will also be introducing some changes that reflect modern developments in disease control and technology, and more comprehensive and independent reporting.

Producer contributions to the eradication of tick infestations will be kept at 25 per cent of the chemical cost and there will be no change to the current movement conditions for cattle coming into NSW from the tick infected zone of Queensland.

Tick fever vaccine will also continue to be available for producers intending to export their cattle to Queensland.

In addition, a Cattle Tick Ministerial Advisory Committee will be put in place from mid- 2007 to report to State Government on cattle tick issues, replacing the current Board of Tick Control.