{"id":1561,"date":"2019-02-15T01:54:16","date_gmt":"2019-02-15T01:54:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=1561"},"modified":"2019-02-15T01:54:16","modified_gmt":"2019-02-15T01:54:16","slug":"nsw-liberals-nationals-boost-drought-support-to-1-5-billion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2019\/02\/15\/nsw-liberals-nationals-boost-drought-support-to-1-5-billion\/","title":{"rendered":"NSW LIBERALS & NATIONALS BOOST DROUGHT SUPPORT TO $1.5 BILLION"},"content":{"rendered":"

The NSW Government today boosted the State\u2019s Farm Innovation Fund from $650 million to $1 billion \u2013 giving farming communities affected by the drought a long-term guarantee that they have a strong future in NSW.
\nPremier Gladys Berejiklian said the additional funding brings the NSW Liberals & Nationals investment in drought support to almost $1.5 billion.
\n\u201cWe know that our farmers and drought-affected communities are doing it tough, which is why we are doing everything we can to make sure they have every support they need,\u201d Ms Berejiklian said.
\nThe Farm Innovation Fund has already helped more than 1700 farmers across the State drought-proof their properties, providing low-interest loans to fund capital works such as new cattle yards, solar power systems, silos or bore water systems.
\nDeputy Premier John Barilaro said the NSW Government is also giving farmers the opportunity to invest in infrastructure that will last for generations by increasing the value of low interest loans available through the Fund from $250,000 up to $1 million.
\n\u201cThe additional $350 million we have added to the Farm Innovation Fund is another signal to our farmers that no matter what conditions you face we will continue to stand side-by-side with you, now and into the future,\u201d Mr Barilaro said.
\n\u201cWe want farmers to approach this fund as a low interest resource they can draw on to make sure they are in a stronger position today to face whatever challenges are coming in the future.
\n\u201cEvery dollar our farmers spend gets circulated through regional towns and cities making this billion dollars an investment in our regional communities.
\n\u201cThe NSW Government will continue to back our farmers who make a living under some of the toughest conditions in the world, growing the food and fibre we all rely on.\u201d
\nNSW Primary Industries Minister Niall Blair said the NSW Government will further strengthen its Drought Relief Package to provide urgent support for those who need it most.
\n\u201cWhen we announced our drought package last year we said we would continually respond to changing conditions and adjust our assistance measures accordingly.\u00a0 Today\u2019s announcement is a reflection of this commitment,\u201d Mr Blair said.
\n\u201cWe know NSW farmers are among the best in the world and that\u2019s why we will continue to stand with them. This fund will back farmers to be even more resilient and better placed when these conditions arise again.\u201d
\nKey changes include:<\/p>\n