More than $114 million worth of damage was done to the North East wine industry during the summer bushfires.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Up until last week the majority of vignerons were unable to claim bushfire recovery grants due to tight criteria with the $75,000 Primary Producer Grant, but a change has opened the door for local winemakers.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud announced changes to the grant eligibility which will now include some grape-growers and increased the time they have to apply for assistance.
"We received feedback, we have listened and we have adjusted the approach," he said. "We are regularly talking with industry groups and the state governments to ensure our assistance is available to those most in need.
"These changes and the decision to extend the application timeframes to December 2020 recognises that some primary producers have experienced drought, bushfires and now COVID-19, and need more time to make a claim.
IN OTHER NEWS:
"We have also extended the timeframes for other small business bushfire recovery grants and loans." Indi MP Helen Haines welcomed the announcement and said the North East grape and wine sector was hit hard by the fires.
"Only 41 Primary Producer Grants totalling just $1.8 million have since been paid out in the main grape-growing areas of Indi," she said.
"Fifteen grants amounting to $769,000 have been paid to producers in Alpine Shire, seven worth $124,000 in Indigo Shire, and 19 amounting to $914,000 in the Rural City of Wangaratta.
"The gap between the damage incurred and the support provided is remarkable."
Dr Haines said applicants who previously were unsuccessful but become eligible as a result of the latest changes would not have to re-apply.
"I am determined to work with North East Wine Zone in the months ahead to ensure this sector gets the support it needs," she said.
Victorian Police Minister Lisa Neville said recovering after the summer bushfires is a long term process.
"And these changes will help affected primary producers and business owners to rebuild," she said.
