Severe storm and flood assistance
The impact of severe storms and flood can affect primary producers beyond their own resilience levels, requiring assistance to recover personally and financially.
DPI and the Agricultural and Animal Services Functional Area coordinate and provide recovery assistance and advice to landholders and primary producers including commercial fishers, aquaculturists, foresters and other industries impacted by a natural disaster event.
A list of financial assistance, primary producer support and animal welfare help is outlined below.
Reporting damage
Primary producers affected by severe storms and flood are asked to complete the natural disaster damage survey. This survey helps determine the scale and severity of the impact and what assistance and resources are required. The survey can be submitted any time and can be accessed at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/damage .
Agricultural industry representatives can complete the survey on behalf of farmers with their consent. It is important to not use this form for any requests for assistance.
Water testing after flood
After severe storms or flood water quality can change, affecting plants, soil, livestock, irrigation, domestic use and general on-farm activities. Primary producers are encouraged to test the quality of water to allow remedial action before damage occurs to equipment, production losses are experienced, or the health of animals or people is compromised.
Click here for more information about water testing or to order a sample collection kit.
Click here to download our Water Testing After Flood brochure with instructions to create a DIY water collection kit.
Primary producers who are eligible for the Special Disaster Grant for storms and flood may claim water testing expenses.
Financial assistance
| Assistance | Details | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Special Disaster Grants – Primary Producers | Designed to help pay for immediate clean-up and infrastructure repairs. | Rural Assistance Authority www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance/storm-and-flood-programs |
| Rural Landholders Grant | Assists landholders with at least 10ha and oyster farmers who hold a Class A aquaculture permit authorising at least 1ha, who earn at least $20,000 from primary production each year and are not eligible to receive the Special Disaster Grant for primary producers. | Rural Assistance Authority www.raa.nsw.gov.au/disaster-assistance/storm-and-flood-programs/RLG-feb-2022 |
| Natural Disaster Relief Loans | Low interest loans of up to $130,000 for those in urgent and genuine need of assistance. | Rural Assistance Authority p: 1800 678 593 |
| Natural Disaster Transport Subsidy | Assists with the cost of transport of fodder and/or water to a property, stock to/from agistment and stock to sale or slaughter. | Rural Assistance Authority p: 1800 678 593 |
| Natural Disaster Donated Fodder Transport Subsidy | Provides funding assistance to organisations that donate and transport donated fodder to a central location within NSW for the benefit of three or more primary producers with livestock. | Rural Assistance Authority p: 1800 678 593 |
Primary producers are encouraged not to self-assess and should consult with their local Rural Financial Counselling Service or apply for the scheme so that the Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) can determine eligibility.
Animal welfare and management
| Assistance | Details | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| Evacuation centres for animals and livestock | A full list of current Animal Evacuation Centres. Animal owners are reminded that care of your animals including adequate food and water supply, any toys and medication, as well as full time supervision remains your responsibility once you arrive at the animal evacuation centres. Owners are also asked to bring appropriate identification for their animals. | www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/emergencies/floods/current- situation |
| Agriculture and Animal Services Functional Area | Agriculture and Animal Services hotline is activated for people to request assistance from Agricultural and Animal Services for animal assessment and veterinary support, emergency fodder and, if required, euthanasia and burial. | p: 1800 814 647 |
| Stock problems after a flood | Key information on looking after stock following a flood. | www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/emergencies/emergency/community/after-an-emergency/stock-problems-after-flood |
| Livestock feed cost calculator | Calculate and compare protein, energy and other components for different mixes of livestock feeds. | www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/animals-and-livestock/nutrition/costs-and-nutritive-value/feed-cost-calculator |
Primary producer support
| Provider | Details | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| NSW Rural Assistance Authority | The RAA provides access to loans, grants, rebates and subsidies for primary producers and small business operators. Primary producers are encouraged not to self-assess and should consult with their local Rural Financial Counselling Service or apply for the scheme so that the RAA can determine eligibility. | p: 1800 678 593 |
| Agricultural and Animal Services Functional Area | Request assistance from the Agricultural and Animal Services hotline for animal assessment, veterinary support, emergency fodder, and if required, euthanasia and burial. | p: 1800 814 647 |
| Rural Recovery Support Service - Flood | Provides information and referrals to flood impacted rural landholders and primary producers to support recovery. | |
| DPI AgEnviro Labs | Independent, industry leading laboratory providing water, soil and plant testing to assist landholders understand the quality and health of natural resources. | p. (02) 6626 1103 |
Natural Disaster Assistance Guide
For a full list of assistance available to support recovery from a natural disaster, visit the Natural Disaster Assistance Guide.
