Early Needs Recovery Program FAQs

View frequently asked questions below. Find out more about the Early Needs Recovery Program.

What is the Early Needs Recovery Program?

The $13 million Early Needs Recovery Program is part of the $150 million Primary Industry Support Package that is co-funded by the Australian and NSW governments.

The program aims to give primary producers in the most flood-impacted regions of NSW access to a range of technical support and recovery advice. 

The services provided under the program will be designed and delivered in partnership with industry to ensure that the unique recovery needs of the most impacted sectors are met.

Why is the Early Needs Recovery Program needed?

Preliminary estimates show the impact of the 2022 floods on the NSW primary sector exceeds half a billion dollars, with more than 30 industries affected. 

These primary industries provide around 24,000 jobs in the flood impacted areas of the North Coast, Hunter Valley, Central Coast, Greater Sydney and South-East of NSW. 

The Early Needs Recovery Program will boost the resilience of primary producers, helping them to regain lost productivity and ensuring they are supported to rebuild and recover.

Who can access the Early Needs Recovery Program?

Primary producers located in the following Local Land Services (LLS) regions can access the program:

  • North Coast
  • Hunter 
  • Greater Sydney, and
  • South-East

The program will also provide funding for volunteer-based organisations that provide recovery services to producers, such as fencing replacement and other infrastructure.

How did the NSW Government identify these regions?

The eligible regions have been determined based on the 61 disaster declared LGAs outlines within the Australian Government Reference Number (AGRN) 1012. The NSW Government has also conducted extensive analysis to understand the direct damage that the 2022 floods have had on primary producers in the disaster declared LGAs. 

View more information regarding the natural disaster declarations.

How did the NSW Government identify impacted industries?

The NSW Government worked in collaboration with key industry stakeholders across the agriculture, horticulture, fisheries and forestry sectors to identify the industries that have been impacted and scale of impact. This work has been used to guide the program design of the Early Needs Recovery Program.

What type of support and services can primary producers access through the program?

The Early Needs Recovery Program will provide access to services to address key recovery issues, such as:

  • Pest management
  • Invasive weed control
  • Plant biosecurity
  • Livestock health nutrition and welfare 
  • Crop and Pasture recovery 
  • Erosion and soil management
  • Aquaculture farm management and resilience planning
  • Farm planning

These issues will be addressed through a range of activities, including:

  • Field days, paddock walks, site visits, webinars, one on one discussions
  • Farm planning workshops and seminars
  • Landscape scale pest, weed and disease management
What amount of funding is available for not-for-profits?

Up to $1 million is available for not-for-profit organisations that will support flood-affected primary producers with services such as rebuilding infrastructure, including fencing. 

How can I access the Early Needs Recovery Program?

For further information about the program please call Local Land Services on 1300 795 299 or email your closest Local Land Services office.

Who is responsible for administering the Early Needs Recovery Program?

Local Land Services will deliver the program alongside the Department of Regional NSW.

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