Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Review of the operations of the NSW Reconstruction Authority

Grants and funding arrangements

49

5.15 Stakeholders noted that short application deadlines for grants are a barrier for

potential applicants in disaster impacted communities.301 Extending application

periods would improve the accessibility and uptake of grants.302

Grant issues for the agricultural industry

Finding 10

Recent changes to Emergency Grant Reliefs have seen an increase in complexity

and decrease in the upfront payment for farmers which was impactful after the

May 2025 flooding events in particular.

Recommendation 17

That the NSW Government, in consultation NSW Farmers and other agricultural

stakeholders, streamline the Primary Industry Grants and other assistance, with

particular attention being paid to streamlining the application and approval

process.

Recommendation 18

That the NSW Government raise the upfront primary producer grants from

$5,000 to provide more fit-for-purpose immediate support for farmers to aid

the recovery process.

5.16 Grants are a critical lifeline for primary producers and the agriculture industry

following disasters.

303 The Authority offers grants to agricultural businesses to

assist with cleanup and recovery so they can continue to produce primary

goods.

304 NSW Farmers noted there are a variety of challenges agricultural

businesses face in applying for recovery grants.305

5.17 Agricultural businesses have been experiencing significant challenges due to the

cumulative impact of frequent natural disasters.306 However, due to the close

timing of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and the May 2025 East Coast severe weather

events, farmers that were impacted by both disasters were only able to access

one Natural Disaster Relief Grant up to $25,000 to cover both events.

307

5.18 NSW Farmers argued that current grant application processes 'resembled audits

rather than supportive measures designed to facilitate [farmers'] recovery'. They

noted that providing evidence was challenging, including technical issues with the

application process and concerns with the complexity and detailed requests for

evidence required. This included requests that were sometimes considered

insensitive, such as asking oyster farmers to send images of dead stock.308

301 Submission 32, p 3; Submission 31, p 2.

302 Submission 32, p 3; Submission 31, p 2.

303 Submission 47, NSW Farmers, p 1.

304 Submission 47, p 1.

305 Submission 47, pp 6-10.

306 Submission 47, p 6.

307 Submission 47, p 6.

308 Submission 47, p 8.