MORE than $10 million in grant funding has been paid to SA's bushfire-affected farmers since January, with the bulk being paid to primary producers on Kangaroo Island and in Cudlee Creek.
Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Tim Whetstone said the state government is supporting bushfire-affected communities to get back on their feet as fast as possible.
"When these grants were announced, we committed to getting money out the door to farmers as fast as we could, and I'm pleased to say that more than $10m has already been paid to nearly 150 primary producers," he said.
"Almost $6m has been paid to primary producers affected in the Kangaroo Island fires, and around $3.4m has gone to primary producers in Cudlee Creek.
"Grants have also been paid to primary producers affected by the South East and Yorke Peninsula fires.
"Our primary industries are the backbone of regional SA and we're assessing and paying grants as quickly as possible to help with the recovery of these businesses and the communities that depend on them.
"We will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with those affected by the devastating bushfires."
Announced in January, the grants of up to $75,000 per producer are to help businesses access farming essentials, while also supporting clean up and rebuilding activities and other vital measures to get agricultural operations back up and running as soon as possible.
Mr Whetstone reminded primary producers that the grant program was uncapped, and urged producers impacted by the fires to apply.
"Primary producers from livestock owners and horticulture producers, to fishers, private foresters and beekeepers are all eligible to apply under the extended definition of primary producers in the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements," he said.
"I urge anyone who is unsure of their eligibility to call the Recovery Hotline or get in contact with your local recovery centre."
This assistance is being provided through a joint Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangement between states and territories and the federal government.
- Details: pir.sa.gov.au/recoverygrants, PIRSA Recovery Hotline 1800 931 314 or contact your local Recovery Centre: Lobethal 0418 213 269, Parndana 0438 861 215.
