Fruit Growers Tasmania welcomes the Australian and Tasmania Governments’ announcement to approve disaster assistance for hail affected Huon Valley fruit growers.
Fruit Growers Tasmania CEO Peter Cornish said, “We are pleased that the Tasmanian and Australian Governments have agreed to Fruit Growers Tasmania’s application for disaster recovery assistance for fruit growers affected by the December 2021 hail storm in the Huon Valley.”
“We estimate that over $3 million in damage was caused to apples, some $1.5 million to cherries, and almost $1 million to infrastructure, all in a matter of hours. While the level of assistance will clearly not meet those losses, all assistance is very welcome. With the apple harvest now well progressed, the full damage caused by the hail storm is clearly apparent”, Mr Cornish said.
“At the time the storm hit in December we were very concerned about the welfare and well-being of some of the growers. Growing fruit is a risky business and events like these hit hard, not just to grower profitability”, Mr Cornish said.
It is understood that recovery grants of up to $10,000 will be made available to support primary producers impacted by the storm. Concessional interest rate loans will also be made available for producers that have suffered direct damage as a result of the storm.
“Fruit Growers Tasmania is very appreciative of the support provided by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania at the time of the storm and in supporting the application through the many government processes”, Mr Cornish said.
For more information:
Peter Cornish
Fruit Growers Tasmania
Tel: +61 429 588 481