Primary producers in the City of Greater Shepparton can apply for concessional loans of up to $250,000 following the event on March 23.
The assistance has been offered by the federal and state governments through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
The concessional loans will support eligible primary producers to re-establish operations, restore and/or replace damaged assets and pay for working capital expenses that cannot be met due to a loss of income.
Federal Emergency Management Minister Murray Watt said the hailstorm was the third significant storm to have impacted the City of Greater Shepparton local government area during the current horticultural season.
“Significant infrastructure damage was sustained, including orchard netting and poles,” Mr Watt said.
“Unfortunately for this event, hail netting offered limited protection given the size of the hail and the direction of the storm.
“As well as help for farmers, there are also other forms of disaster assistance available for this event, including debris-removal help for residents, and assistance for local councils to fix up roads and public assets.”
Victorian Agriculture Minister Gayle Tierney said the March storm hit growers in the Goulburn Valley on the eve of harvest and caused significant damage to the apple harvest, while also compounding the impacts of previous flood and storm events.
“This additional provision of a concessional loan of up to $250,000 to eligible growers recognises the impacts sustained by many in this sector in the past six months and acknowledges the need to support our fruit and vegetable growers.”
For more information. visit Rural Finance at www.ruralfinance.com.au or phone 1800 260 425.