Supporting Cane Growers in Clarence Valley
When flooding hits communities, entire industries can be impacted as well.
In the Northern Rivers and Clarence Valley, the sugar cane industry, which had been having a good season in the lead up to the February 2022 flood event, was decimated.
The disruption to business was immense with many producers 100 per cent impacted by the flooding event, in addition to the ongoing wet conditions that followed for months afterwards. Some were also impacted by a second flood six months after the first.
Cane crops and infrastructure were destroyed, fields inundated with silt and debris, the September re-planting window came and went and growers who couldn’t get on wet paddocks to start the recovery process, could do little but wait for drier conditions to arrive.
Harvest was down 60 per cent for the next two years and full recovery was not expected for 4-6 years.
Ross Farlow, a local canegrower, and president of the NSW Canegrowers Association contacted the Rural Recovery Support Service (RRSS) to access information and support particularly around timing of the RAA grants, as looming grant expenditure deadlines were not in line with weather constraints being experienced on the ground by members.
In addition, a high percentage of cane farmers had a limited understanding of the eligible activities of the grant process, and due to age or loss of their homes, didn’t have either the technical capacity nor physical capability to undertake grant applications or invoice acquittals on their own.
This is where Clarence Valley Recovery Officers, Sally and Mel from DPI’s RRSS, were able to listen to their needs and provide support. They were able to learn that local cane growers were facing a myriad of challenges bought on by the extended wet conditions preventing them from starting their recovery journeys.
As the months wore on, these challenges were impacting local growers physically, financially, and mentally. The Recovery Officers were able to provide individual case management to growers which involved referrals to much needed services such as the Rural Financial Counselling Service, Service NSW, NSW Reconstruction Authority and access to mental health support.
They were also able to provide one-on-one support in applying for the Rural Assistance Authority’s Special Disaster Grants and Critical Producers Grants and the associated invoice acquittal process.
Ross Farlow thanked our Recovery Officers on behalf of members.
“On behalf of the NSW Canegrowers Clarence Valley Branch, I would like to thank Sally and Mel for their efforts in assisting the growers of the Clarence Valley with their recovery grants.
“Their knowledge and kindness made the application process a lot easier for affected growers in our valley.”
