Disaster Assistance for Primary Producers in NSW
ISSUE
This fact sheet outlines the different avenues for assistance that may become available for primary
producers in the event of a natural disaster declaration.
WHAT IS A NATURAL DISASTER?
The definitions of what is a natural disaster are administered by the Australian Government Natural
Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRAA). A natural disaster is defined as a serious disruption to
a community or region caused by the impact of a naturally occurring rapid onset event that threatens or
causes death, injury or damage to property or the environment and which requires significant and
coordinated multi-agency and community response.
Such serious disruption can be caused by any one, or a combination, of the following natural hazards:
bushfire, earthquake, flood, storm (including hail and severe dust), cyclone, storm surge, landslide,
tsunami, meteorite strike or tornado. Drought, frost, heatwave, epidemic and events where human activity
is a significant contributing cause are not considered a natural disaster.
In NSW there are two types of natural disaster declaration.
1. Agricultural natural disaster – where the damage has been predominantly to primary producers.
This declaration involves the assessment of damage to primary producers. DPI will collect the
information from field staff, and other organisations to determine the level of damage. Based on
this information, the Minister for Primary Industries has the capacity to declare an agricultural
natural disaster area.
2. General Natural Disaster – where the damage has been to the wider community and includes
public infrastructure damage. This declaration involves the assessment of damage to primary
producers, small businesses and the wider community. In addition to information collected by DPI,
information on damage to public and private community assets is collected. Based on this
information, the Minister for Emergency Services can declare a natural disaster area.
Information on the difference between an agricultural natural disaster and a general natural disaster, as
well as the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) role in disaster response, reporting and declaration
please click here. The procedure the DPI follows in the assessment and reporting of natural disasters can
be found here. The form used by the DPI in this process can be found here.
Last updated: 23 April 2015
Member Service Centre:
Contact: Charlie Cull
Page 1 of 3
File reference number:
1300 794 000
Disaster Assistance for Primary Producers in NSW
CURRENT NATURAL DISASTER DECLARATIONS
General natural disasters
Current general natural disaster declarations are available on the Ministry for Police and Emergency
Services website at http://www.mpes.nsw.gov.au/ndd.
Agricultural disasters and assistance
More specific details of any assistance for primary producers under a general natural disaster declaration
or an agricultural natural disaster are available from the NSW Rural Assistance Authority (RAA) at
http://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/assistance/natural-disaster-relief/declarations or 1800 678 593.
WHAT ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE TO THOSE EXPERIENCING A NATURAL DISASTER?
General Assistance
General information on assistance that is available in the event of a natural disaster declaration is available
at http://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/nddassistance.
Individual Assistance
Information on assistance for individuals is available at
http://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/disasterassistance/individuals.
Primary Producer Assistance
More specific information for primary producers is available from the RAA at
http://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/assistance/natural-disaster-relief/declarations or 1800 678 593.
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
People affected by the storms and heavy rains in NSW can get free legal help with questions about their
insurance cover and claims. For legal assistance with storms, rain and flooding please contact 1800 801 529
or visit http://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/.
WHAT CAN I DO NOW IF I AM AFFECTED BY A NATURAL DISASTER?
Primary producers are encouraged to report flood damage and stock losses to NSW DPI to assist NSW
authorities in determining the extent of damage caused by flooding and assess potential support
measures. Producers can call the Agriculture and Animal flood emergency hotline on 1800 814 647.
Last updated: 23 April 2015
Member Service Centre:
Contact: Charlie Cull
Page 2 of 3
File reference number:
1300 794 000
Disaster Assistance for Primary Producers in NSW
KEY CONTACTS AT A GLANCE
Agriculture and Animal flood emergency hotline
Phone: 1800 814 647
NSW Rural Assistance Authority
Phone: 1800 678 593
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.raa.nsw.gov.au/assistance/natural-disaster-relief
NSW Ministry for Police and Emergency Services
Phone: NSW Disaster Welfare Assistance Line - 1800 018 444
Website: http://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/nddassistance
Website: http://www.mpes.nsw.gov.au/content.php/501.html
State Emergency Service (including stock rescue)
Phone: 132 500
Last updated: 23 April 2015
Member Service Centre:
Contact: Charlie Cull
Page 3 of 3
File reference number:
1300 794 000