CONCESSIONAL loans for farmers directly impacted by the recent fires in Victoria’s West and North East have been announced today.
Federal Minister for Justice said the Category B Concessional Interest Rate Loans of up to $200,000 would be provided through the jointly-funded Commonwealth-State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA).
NDRRA assistance is being made available to the bushfire affected councils of Ararat, Benalla, Moira, Strathbogie and Wangaratta.
These areas were hit by the Creighton’s Creek, Lake Rowan, Stewarton and Moyston fires during December 2014 and January 2015.
The concessional loans are being offered in addition to the emergency relief, re-establishment and disaster assistance previously announced by the Commonwealth and Victorian governments.
Victorian Minister for Emergency Services, Jane Garrett said: “fires which affected parts of Victoria’s West and North East these past few months have had a significant impact on our primary producers.”
“The concessional loans will provide additional support to primary producers to assist them in maintaining their operations and helping their businesses recover,” she said.
