Central West Grant Support Workshops
In late 2022, the Murray and Edward Rivers experienced devastating floods that wreaked havoc on agricultural lands and infrastructure. The deluge destroyed crops in several regions and caused damage to essential infrastructure, including roads, fences, culverts, and irrigation systems.
The floods added to the challenges of an already wet year, complicating weed control efforts, limiting access to waterlogged areas, and worsening livestock management issues such as flystrike and worm infestations.
Once the floodwaters subsided, priority recovery operations were livestock welfare, draining waterlogged fields, mending fences to secure livestock, repairing irrigation systems, and rescuing any salvageable crops for urgently needed revenue.
To support these recovery efforts, the NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) provided grant funding specifically for flood repairs. In March 2023, Grant Support Sessions were organised, by NSW Reconstruction Authority, in Moama, Deniliquin, and Moulamein, located in southern NSW, to aid primary producers and landholders.
The Rural Recovery Service (RRSS), along with various other support services, attended these sessions. Primary Producers and Rural Landholders could get information about the grants (eligibility for and application process), and receive direct support from RAA representatives, plus access to online facilities via the attending Recovery Officers’ computers.
The information provided at these sessions simplified the application process, provided clear guidance, and fostered connections for ongoing support. The sessions abled Recovery Officers and other service providers to engage with a significant number of individuals at convenient times and locations.
RRSS Recovery officers were able to build meaningful relationships with clients. Attendees expressed appreciation for the officers' willingness to listen attentively to their personal stories. This understanding enabled the officers to identify the specific support needed and facilitate connections with other support agencies. In addition, the recovery officers offered support beyond initial grant sessions, assisting with invoice submissions and introducing landholders to additional opportunities to enhance their capacity to recover and thrive.
