Drought Support Events: Scone, Merriwa and Coolah

LOCAL farmers are invited to attend the ‘one-stop shop’ drought community outreach events at Scone, Merriwa and Coolah this week.

See details below

The events will take place between 10am and 2pm today, tomorrow and Thursday and will give drought-affected agriculture producers access to a range of support services and information.

Information about low-interest loans, Farm Household Allowance, the On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme, the $3,000 Drought Community Support Initiative, the Rotary $500 household voucher, will be on offer at each event.

Member for New England, Barnaby Joyce, said the events, coordinated by the National Drought and North Queensland Flood Response and Recovery Agency, together with Rotary, brings together a range of Government services.

“Farmers will be able to have face-to-face, confidential discussions with representatives from a range of agencies all in the one visit…I encourage you to get along to one of these ‘one-stop shops’, ask some questions and find out about the support that may be available to you,” said Mr Joyce.” Mr Joyce said.

“More than $10 billion has been committed by the Australian Government for over 26 separate measures to support farmers, their families and regional communities nationally through this drought and to prepare for future droughts,” he said.

“Even though there has been some very welcome rain, recovery from drought can take years,” he said.

“I know there are people in the New England and Upper Hunter who are doing it tough but are reluctant to ask for help because they think other people are worse off than them,” said Mr Joyce.

Representatives from the Australian Taxation Office, Regional Investment Corporation, Services Australia, NBN Co, Rural Financial Counselling Service, Rotary Australia World Community Service, Royal Flying Doctor Service, NSW Department of Primary Industries and Local Land Services NSW will be available at the events. 

Drought Community Outreach Events:

• Tuesday, October 20 from 10am to 2pm at the Scone Arts and Crafts Centre, 63 Kingdon Street, Scone;
• Wednesday, October 21 from 10am to 2pm at the Merriwa Showground, Dutton Street, Merriwa;
• Thursday, October 22 from 10am to 2pm at Shop 50, Binnia Street, Coolah.

For more information on the National Drought and Flood Agency’s community outreach events, click here.

Appropriate COVID-19 measures will be in place to ensure the events are run safely.