Back Yamma & Cookamidgera NDD
Back Yamma & Cookamidgera NDD
An isolated weather event left crops close to harvest devastated by hail damage. Member for Orange, Mr Philip Donato MP and Central West Lachlan Landcare inspected the damage to crops and a Natural Disaster Declaration was submitted and approved.
Taking Action -
LLCI007-004
The issue
After significant rain experienced in the Forbes and Parkes Shires in 2016 and an isolated storm in March 2017 causing flash flooding, the Back Yamma and Cookamidgera areas received another isolated event on Thursday, 16 November, receiving several hail storms.
These storms severely impacted crops that were close to, or had commenced harvest, with a particularly significant impact on canola crops, with the hail causing seed to drop, leaving some landholders contemplating if it was worth spending the time and money to harvest.
The solution
Local State Member, Philip Donato MP and Marg Applebee, Central West Lachlan Landcare (CWLL) Coordinator, visited landholders on the following Sunday with 9 News Central West, gaining a greater understanding of the issues facing landholders.
In the following week Mr Donato approached The Hon Niall Blair MLC seeking solutions for landholders, with the option for loans to be pursued, if a Natural Disaster was declared.
Landholders provided information to CWLL, whilst continuing with the remaining harvest. Impacts of the events were recorded, mapped and an Agricultural Natural Disaster Assessment was submitted in December 2017.
The impact
On 25 January 2018, Marg Applebee and Mr Donato once again met with landholders and media to announce approval of the application by the Department of Primary Industries, allowing impacted landholders to apply for low interest loans up to $130,000 and transport subsidies, enabling producers, some of whom suffered significant crop losses and other infrastructure losses, the ability to seek assistance and prepare for the following sowing season.
CWLL appreciate the support of landholders, Central West Local Land Services, Department of Primary Industries and Mr Donato for his willingness to support landholders and CWLL with the application.
Key facts
- Isolated storms at harvest significantly impacted harvest at Back Yamma and Cookamidgera in the Parkes and Forbes Shire Council areas.
- CWLL submitted an Agricultural Natural Disaster Assessment application with the support of Landholders and Local Member Mr Philip Donato MP.
- The Natural Disaster application was approved allowing applications for low interest loans.