{"id":226617,"date":"2019-01-23T18:04:22","date_gmt":"2019-01-23T08:04:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=226617"},"modified":"2020-07-25T13:34:42","modified_gmt":"2020-07-25T03:34:42","slug":"3000-support-packages-available","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2019\/01\/23\/3000-support-packages-available\/","title":{"rendered":"$3000 Support Packages Available"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

January 23, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

Drought-affected farming families and employees in the South Burnett have been encouraged to access help through the Federal Government\u2019s $30 million Drought Community Support Initiative.<\/p>\n

Community Support packages of up to $3000 per household – including up to $2000 in cash and $1000 in vouchers – are being distributed to people in drought-declared Local Government Areas.<\/p>\n

\u201cA fundamental part of this support is that vouchers are to be redeemed at local businesses,\u201d Member for Wide Bay Llew O\u2019Brien said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis injection of money in rural and regional communities will help boost local businesses because it is not just farmers who are doing it tough during this crippling drought.”<\/p>\n

Eligible Local Government Areas include the South Burnett, Toowoomba and Somerset council areas.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Regional Services Minister Senator Bridget McKenzie said getting practical support to those facing financial pressure because of the severe, long-term drought was a top priority.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am pleased to confirm the $30 million Drought Community Support Initiative is up and running,\u201d Senator McKenzie said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt provides immediate assistance to at least 10,000 farming households facing hardship because of the drought.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are continuing to work with trusted not-for-profit organisations and I am pleased that The Salvation Army, St Vincent de Paul Society and Rotary Australia World Community Service are delivering this assistance on behalf of the Liberal & Nationals Government.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese community organisations are experienced in delivering cash and vouchers and, importantly, can provide immediate relief across all of the eligible Local Government Areas.<\/p>\n

To be eligible to receive this assistance, an individual from a household must be 18 years or older, a farmer, farm worker or farm supplier\/contractor who lives or works in one of the 81 eligible Local Government Areas and suffering financial hardship as a result of the drought.<\/p>\n

The Drought Community Support Initiative was announced by the Federal Government at the National Drought Summit on October 26 last year.<\/p>\n

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For more information about eligibility and accessing support visit: <\/strong><\/p>\n

The Salvation Army:<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n