AUSVEG SA continues to work closely with the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) and the Minister on the rollout of support and services for South Australian growers affected by the recent hailstorms which caused over $350 million in damage to key agricultural industries across the state. An update with key information for affected growers is included below.

General Information

Information is being updated regularly on the webpage www.pir.sa.gov.au/storms.

The PIRSA Recovery Hotline is available to provide assistance. Call 1800 931 314, and press 1. Interpreters are available for your phone call if necessary and the line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.

PIRSA staff and other support can be found in the Virginia Horticulture Centre. The Centre is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and one of the staff members Phuong Le is Vietnamese speaking and can be reached on 0434 545 319 for those requiring translation.

Financial assistance

The Commonwealth has agreed to joint funding for certain measures that will support South Australia in its relief and recovery efforts. The state government is exploring other measures of assistance for primary producers and we anticipate we’ll know more about those soon, but specific information related to clean up grants or other funding is still to be finalised.

Waste clean up

AUSVEG SA funded the early stages of the clean up with grant support from the Minister and PIRSA which allowed for an initial 55 bins to go out to affected growers. Now that this initial program has finished PIRSA and the SA government will now be taking over coordination of this role moving forward.

The state government is paying for skips for Northern Adelaide Plains storm waste during November, December, January, and February. The state government is also offering vouchers for the NAWMA Transfer Station at Bellchambers Road, Edinburgh North.

You must register to receive free skips for your property, so your storm waste is removed for free o to take waste yourself to the Bellchambers Road Transfer Station for free. Register for a free skip or skips at the PIRSA Storm Support Centre at the Virginia Horticulture Centre, or call the Recovery Hotline 1800 931 314.

Financial counselling and family support

Business Financial Counselling, through Rural Business Support, provides free, independent and confidential support to farmers and rural-related business owners concerned about their financial future. Call Business Financial Counselling on 1800 836 211.

PIRSA’s Farm and Business mentors help farmers, farming families and regional businesses during difficult situations like storms, drought, bushfire and other adverse events. This program provides a free, informal, confidential, independent and understanding approach available for individuals, families or businesses in South Australia. For further information on the FaBs program visit www.pir.sa.gov.au/fabs

Further questions

AUSVEG SA is in regular contact with PIRSA, the Minister for Primary Industries and Regions and other industry groups with regards to this response and will be working with government to communicate resources and information to industry.

Growers with any questions and concerns can contact AUSVEG SA CEO Jordan Brooke-Barnett anytime on 0404 772 308.