Flood recovery support for NSW dairy farmers: resources and services available

This article serves the purpose of being a library of resources and contact details for you in one consolidated location.

Dairy Australia’s regional teams, including Dairy NSW, have been making calls to more than 120 farmers to better understand individual circumstances, guide support and connect you with the most relevant services. We encourage dairy farmers affected by this emergency to record the damage to their farm via the PiNDDA Damage Survey.

The NSW Dairy Emergency Leadership Group (DELG) is prioritising critical on-ground needs to ensure the right support is available for dairy farmers in the region for recovery. If you feel something is being missed, please contact us directly. 

Resources, services and contacts to support recovery

Dairy Australia has developed a suite of extension materials and practical tools to help you manage the recovery process and The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development also have an online resource hub available to support dairy farmers during these times.

Below is a list of current services, resources and support lines available to assist you through this recovery period.

Animal nutrition

• Emergency fodder: call AASFA on 1800 814 647 for eligibility criteria and information.
• Need for feed: apply for donated fodder assistance.
• Hay runners: for donated fodder assistance, please click here to email your request.

Downloads:

• Herd nutrition: post-disaster feeding strategies.
• Water quality: safe access to drinking water post-flood.

Animal health 

• Emergency veterinary care: initial consultation and treatment costs are covered through AASFA. Contact your local vet or call AASFA on 1800 814 647.
• Livestock disposal support: for assistance with deceased livestock or euthanasia, call AASFA on 1800 814 647.

Downloads:

• Cow Parking
• Mastitis Control in Wet Conditions
• Managing Lameness in Wet Environments
• Lameness & Mastitis podcast
• Preparing for Power Outages
• Flood Recovery Checklist

For further resources visit the Managing in Wet Conditions page.

Wellbeing and emotional support

• Lifeline: 24/7 crisis hotline call 13 11 14
• Beyond Blue: call 1300 224 636
• Rural Adversity Mental Health Program

Downloads:

• Emotional Coping Strategies: DPIRP resource poster.
• Coping with a Crisis: Red Cross mental health resources.
• Support for Children & Families: Red Cross activity books and guides to help young people manage through crisis.

Cleanup and recovery services

• NSW SES Volunteer Support: call 132 500 for home clean up or volunteer assistance.
• Recovery Centres: local hubs for support with housing, financial help, insurance, and wellbeing.

Downloads:

• Where to invest resources during recovery: DPIRD long term recovery resource guide.
• Cleaning Up After a Flood: Red Cross safety and sanitation guide.

Financial assistance

Rural Financial Counselling Service NSW: Northern Region call 1800 344 090.

• Grants of up to $25,000 for eligible small businesses (with fewer than 20 employees) and non-profit organisations to help clean up and restore their business.
• Grants of up to $25,000 for eligible primary producers directly impacted by flooding to help with clean-up and getting their operations back on track.
• Grants of up to $10,000 for eligible rural landholders to assist with clean-up, repairs and recovery work, including fixing damaged fences, infrastructure or equipment affected by East Coast severe weather and flooding.

Explore more information about grants, payments and financial support.

Rural Assistance Authority:

• Natural Disaster Relief Loans for Primary Producers
• Natural Disaster Transport Subsidy
• Services Australia – Disaster Recover Allowance
• Farm Household Allowance

If you haven’t yet spoken with our team or need further assistance navigating recovery, please don’t hesitate to reach out directly to Dairy NSW. We are here to help connect you to the right support.