Gunnedah Shire is in drought and many people are either wanting to help or wanting to access help. If you know of more organisations or assistance, please give Gunnedah Shire Council a call and we can add it to the list.
INFORMATION FOR FARMERS AND APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE
NSW DPI Primary Porducers Assistance Guide
Drought Relief Handout for the NSW DPI Rural Resilience Program – Listen, Learn & Link to create opportunities for Farmers & Farming Communities.
Drought Hub NSW
DroughtHub provides a one-stop online destination for information on a vast range of services and support available to primary producers, their families and communities to prepare for and manage drought. DPI makes every attempt to ensure the information supplied is current, however the individual circumstances of DroughtHub users should be taken into account when considering the linked services.
Website: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/climate-and-emergencies/droughthub - There is a link in Support for Primary Producers Box that has contact details, links and further information for various organisations and support for farmers.
LLS are organising events and activities to increase their visability to customers, provide drought specific advice, pass along information and assist customers to find the support they need through through connecting them with other government agencies, not for profit groups and business partners. More events are being planned. You can view their Drought Activities plan on their website or call.
Phone: 02 6742 9220
Website: www.lls.nsw.gov.au
NSW Rural Assistance Authority
In broad terms the function of the Authority is to administer a wide range of assistance measures to the rural sector. These assistance measures are both Commonwealth and state funded. Whilst the rural sector is its core client, the Authority is also responsible for small businesses that have suffered loss or damage due to natural disaster.
Phone: 1800 678 593
Email: rural.assist@raa.nsw.gov.au
Website: https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/assistance/emergency-drought-relief
NSW Rural Assistance Authority - Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme
Eligible Primary Producers can claim a rebate of 25% of the cost of purchase, delivery and if applicable, the labour cost to engage a person to install water infrastructure for animal welfare needs.
Phone: 1800 678 593
Email: rural.assist@raa.nsw.gov.au
Website: https://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/assistance/emergency-water-infrastructure-rebate-scheme
Rural Financial Counselling Services
Rural Financial Counselling Services is a local non-profit organisation that hosts government funded programs to foster regional economic development in the north eastern region of New South Wales. They support eligible farmers, fishers, forest growers, harvesters and small related rural businesses who are suffering financial hardship, and who have no alternative sources of impartial support, to manage and adjust to the challenge of industry and climate change. Sarah Goulden provides a free, confidential, impartial and independent service to assist farmers in applying for Government grants in relation to the drought.
Phone: 02 6761 3336 or 0427 924 798
Email: tamworth@rfcsnr.org.au
Website: www.rfcsnr.org.au
Freight to drought areas
Roads and Maritime Services is working with the freight and agricultural industries to support access for heavy vehicles carrying larger loads to safely and efficiently move feed, water and stock in drought affected areas. Information contained on this website will assist freight operators delivering to drought affected areas, including an overview of available Notices and Permits for the transport of drought relief hay. In partnership with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator we have also improved and streamlined the assessment of drought relief permit applications.
Phone: 1800 952 292
Email: roadfreight@rms.nsw.gov.au
Website: http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/drought-freight/
Virtual Psychologist
Virtual Psychologist offers 24 hour psychological counselling services to drought affected farmers via SMS, Chat, Email, Phone and where applicable face to face.
Phone: 0404 032 249
Email: dervla@virtualpsychologist.com.au
Website: www.virtualpsychologist.com.au
WAYS TO DONATE AND APPLY FOR ASSISTANCE
Rural Women's Network
The Rural Women's Network (RWN) is a state-wide government program within the Department of Primary Industries. The small RWN team works in innovative ways to share information and promote action on rural women's issues, often in partnership with individuals, groups and non-government and government agencies.
Phone: 02 6391 3620
Email: rural.women@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Website: https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/rural-support/rural-womens-network
Country Women’s Association
CWA of NSW Drought Aid grants Assistance to help meet household expenses for drought affected families, up to a maximum of $3,000 per family/household, is available to eligible applicants. Expenses can include grocery bills, vehicle maintenance, school, electricity, rates, telephone, dental and medical.
Phone: 02 8338 1595
Email: drought@cwaofnsw.org.au
For those who wish to donate, go to https://www.cwaofnsw.org.au/donate and select "Disaster Relief Fund" from the "Donate to" drop down.
Website: https://www.cwaofnsw.org.au/droughtaid.html (To register for Drought Aid grants)
Local: www.cwaofnsw.org.au/branchlist.php?groupnumber=18&id=7
Aussie Helpers
Provides assistance to primary producers. Donate: Accepts donations of perishable and non-perishable goods. Any donations of goods or fodder welcome.
Phone: 1300 665 232
Email: admin@aussiehelpers.org.au
Website: www.aussiehelpers.org.au
Visit: 44 Conadilly St, Gunnedah
Rural Aid
Rural Aid was founded in 2015 to provide a holistic support program to rural Australia. The starting point for the charity was the success of the Buy a Bale campaign, which to date has received over $4.5 million in donations and distributed this through fodder, hampers and more. We understand the needs of our primary producers and aim to lend a helping hand when times are tough.
Phone: 1300 327 624 or 07 3054 5979
Drought Angels
Drought Angels supports Aussie farmers and their rural communities with meaningful and personalized assistance. We provide food hampers, care packs, prepaid visas, local store vouchers, stock feed and hay.
Phone: 0409 548 414 or 0447 129 681
Email: operations@droughtangels.org.au
Website: https://www.droughtangels.org.au/
Lions Need for Feed
Need For Feed has been the major supplier of emergency fodder & transport, outstripping the State Government and Other Agencies combined. We are supplying the stock & animal feed needs of affected larger properties by semi loads & supplying smaller properties by ute convoys. We continue to raise funds to support all farmers in fire, drought and flood affected areas each year as required as they struggle to rebuild properties and livelihoods in times of crisis and natural events.
Phone: 0459 444 111
Email: Lionsneedforfeed@yahoo.com.au
Website: www.needforfeed.org
Vinnies NSW Drought Appeal
With 99% of New South Wales affected by drought, Vinnies has launched its NSW Drought Appeal to raise vital funds for rural communities in need. The difficulties and hardships for farmers and their livestock caused by this drought will have ongoing ramifications for the affected communities. Through your kind donation, Vinnies will be involved in the recovery of these communities, helping to keep the hard-working farms of the NSW regional area afloat as they care for their land, their livestock and crops, and most importantly their families, with financial aid and emotional support.
Phone:13 18 12
Website: www.vinnies.org.au/drought
Local: Gunnedah St Vincent De Pauls 02 6742 1836
Rotary Club of Gunnedah 2380
Vouchers and financials assistance for food, water, petrol, medicine and day to day needs. Email with your details or those family and friends that need help.
Email: gunnedah2380@gmail.com
Salvation Army – Gunnedah
Provides drought affected farmers in remote locations with grocery store vouchers and cash grants.
Phone: 02 6742 0540 or 0407 034 604
Sydney office: 02 8757 8088
Website: www.salvos.org.au/about-us/latest-news/disasters-other-appeals/2018-droughts/
