Australia’s trusted rural charity, Rural Aid, has stepped up to help farmers across NSW, Victoria and Tasmania as they face devastating, widespread flooding.
The team of counsellors are also conducting welfare checks on Rural Aid’s registered farmers and has counsellors on the ground in Forbes.
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said farmers with crops nearing harvest were increasingly anxious as flood water and continuing rain caused costly downgrading.
“Months of hard work and investment has now been written off, alongside people’s homes, fences, sheds and machinery,” he said.
Registered primary producers are also being offered financial assistance as they deal with the devastating effects of the flood.
More than 70 local government areas (LGAs) across the three states are directly affected, impacting thousands of families.
Rural Aid counsellors are expecting an increase in calls to its new, dedicated 1300 175 594 counselling line, as the extent of the current flooding situation becomes more apparent.
Farmers registered with Rural Aid can access counselling support and request financial assistance and fodder for livestock.
Producers that aren’t registered are encouraged to do so immediately via www.ruralaid.org.au or by calling 1300 327 624.