Not enough but still a "massive help": Flood impacted farmers can now apply for government assistance up to $75,000

Primary producers impacted by the May flood event can now apply for grants of up to $75,000 to help with the costly recovery.

The NSW government approved the Category D funding last week, announcing the cost would be shared by the Commonwealth.

“We knew more support would be needed, and we're pleased to be able to deliver it with help from the Commonwealth Government,” NSW Premier Chris Minns said in a statement.

The announcement of the additional support comes more than a month after the disaster – a timeframe that prompted rallies in Taree and Kempsey from community members and representatives.

The Mid North Coaster broke the news of the funding to Kempsey Shire beef cattle farmer, Fred Thurgood, who said it made his day.

He had already spent the $25,000 Natural Disaster Relief Grant made available while Category D was being discussed.

“The 25 grand, it was mostly used in one load of hay,” Thurgood told the Mid North Coaster.

He explained that, with paddocks still covered in mud after the flood, he – like many other primary producers affected by the Mid North Coast flood – is spending big on fodder to keep his cattle fed through the winter. 

“It’s just a mud pile,” Thurgood said. “It's not going to change much… until Christmas, until we get warm weather, and the summer feed starts coming.


“We’re feeding cattle everyday.”

Thurgood also said the grain required to keep his cattle healthy while he waits for grass to grow back currently sets him back about $600 per tonne. 

“I’m using six to ten tonnes a week,” Thurgood said.

“We’re not going to get growth until spring, so you have to do something to maintain the cattle.”

He said while he is very grateful and relieved that the $75,000 grants have been announced, it’s not going to go far.

“It’s not going to pay for everything, but it’s a massive help,” Thurgood said. “It’s well appreciated.”

Businesses not included

Smaller businesses like those in the CBDs of Kempsey and Taree – where river levels broke records – are not included in the recent Category D announcement, which is only applicable to primary producers, including aquaculture producers. The Government defines primary producers as a person or incorporated body who “cultivates or uses their own or someone else’s land for their own benefit.” This usually includes businesses that are involved in the production of fruit, vegetables, grains, and agricultural produce, as well as livestock farming and grazing.

Federal minister for Emergency Management, Kristy McBain, told the ABC smaller businesses could make “additional requests for support” if needed, but “at this stage we’re talking about primary producers.”

Member for Oxley, Michael Kemp, has been calling for $50,000 funding to be made available for impacted businesses across the region – notably Kempsey Shire – alongside this Cat D funding.

“Last month the Premier visited with small business owners in the Macleay Valley and witnessed first-hand the devastating impact of this flood event,” Kemp said in a statement. 

“Our business community deserves to know what has changed since then. This decision will spell the end for many family-run businesses in our region.”

The growing cost of disasters as severe weather becomes more frequent and intense

Following ex‑Tropical Cyclone Alfred in March, the federal government’s 2025/26 budget report expects total costs for national disaster support will continue to rise to at least $13.5 billion. 

The government provisioned $1.2 billion in the Contingency Reserve to better respond to – and recover from – future disasters.

And it is no surprise that the cost of climate disasters are expected to rise when scientists say severe disasters are becoming more common.

Councillor with the Climate Council and Professor Emeritus at the University of Melbourne, Professor David Karoly, told the Mid North Coaster extreme rainfall events have become more frequent and intense in Australia due to the rising of global temperatures caused by pollution from coal, oil and gas.

Karoly said the rise of ocean and atmospheric temperatures is leading to more moisture in the atmosphere causing an increase in extreme downpours.

“We've seen record-high atmospheric temperatures in the spring and summer in Australia, which are also the result of rising climate pollution, not just in Australia, but globally.”

The increasing frequency and severity of extreme events means communities like the Mid North Coast are facing successive disasters with little time in between to recover.

Thumbnail: Beef cattle farm on the Mid North Coast after the May flood event. Picture supplied by Jack Henshaw.