Mixed Farming's Recovery Towards a Greener Future
Anthony (Tony) Carusi runs a mixed farming enterprise growing rice, sugar cane, soybean and beef cattle at Kilgin near Woodburn. Mr Carusi was impacted by the flood events on the North Coast in February and March 2022.
Mr Carusi attended the Evans Head Recovery Centre seeking information about available support following the impact the floods had on his whole property, including his home.
Our Recovery Officer followed the program's guiding principles—Listen, Learn, and Link—to identify relevant support services for Mr. Carusi.
Recounting his experience, Mr Carusi revealed that not only had he lost all of his soybean crop, 79 hectres of rice and most of his sugar cane, he also lost many of his cattle. Additionally, his home was inundated, and he was living in alternative accommodation.
In speaking with Mr Carusi our Recovery Officer learnt that while impacted by the March and November 2021 floods, he had not applied for assistance following these events.
To recover costs of clean-up and repair damage and replace machinery and equipment it was recommended that Mr Carusi apply for the Special Disaster Assistance grants administered by the Rural Assistance Authority (RAA).
Our Recovery Officer assisted Mr Carusi apply for several special disaster assistance grants he was eligible for, including those related to 2021 flooding events.
Mr Carusi was also linked to non-government support services provided by community organisations to address immediate needs, as well as Service NSW for home repairs and Services Australia to secure financial assistance to offset income lost from primary production.
Mr Carusi has been notified that the grants he applied for to recover costs associated with March 2021, November 2021 and February/March 2022 flood events have been approved.
This advice has given Mr Carusi confidence to commence activities to restore production operations on his property and his home. Having gained a better understanding of support available Mr Carusi has more confidence to progress his recovery.
