THE Federal Government has accepted independent advice and will extend Exceptional Circumstances assistance in 34 areas of NSW, South Australia and Victoria.
Minister for Agriculture, Tony Burke, said the independent National Rural Advisory Council (NRAC) had reviewed the areas, which are due to expire next month.
The committee recommended Exceptional Circumstances assistance be extended for two-thirds of the areas and found it should not be extended for one-third of the areas.
Mr Burke acknowledged many farmers continued to face difficult conditions across Australia.
"The Government recognises that the drought continues to place extraordinary pressure on many farming families across Australia," Mr Burke said.
"We also acknowledge the current system is not working for farmers and are working to finalise details of the new drought support system.
"Under the current system, we wait until farmers are in crisis to step in an help them.
"We want to help farmers before the next crisis hits so they can better face the challenges of the future."
*NRAC’s recommendations on the 34 EC declared areas can also be found at www.daff.gov.au/agriculture-food/ drought/ec
NSW areas in which EC will continue until 31 March 2011:
- Braidwood area (including towns of Araluen, Boro, Braidwood, Bungendore, Captains Flat, Hoskinstown, Majors Creek and Reidsdale)
- Condobolin area (including towns of Albert, Derriwong, Fifield and Tottenham)
- Condobolin- Narrandera area (including towns of Burcher, Lake Cargelligo, Naradhan, Rankins Springs, Ungarie and West Wyalong)
- Dubbo Revised area (including towns of Fairview and Wyanga)
- Forbes area (including towns of Bedgerebong, Bogan Gate, Bumbaldry, Caragabal, Forbes, Greenethorpe, Grenfell, Nelungaloo, Parkes, Trundle and Yarrabandai)
- Goulburn-Yass area (including towns of Crookwell, Goulburn, Murrumbateman, Taralga and Yass)
Gundagai area (including towns of Adelong, Batlow, Brungle, Cabramurra, Gilmore, Gocup, Mount Horeb, Tumblong, Tumut and Yarrangobilly)Hay area (including towns of Carrathool, Goolgowi, Hay and Maude)Majority Western Division area (including towns of Broken Hill, Cobar, Ivanhoe, Menindee, Tibooburra, White Cliffs and Wilcannia)Molong Revised area (including towns of Alectown, Mickibri and Yethera)Nyngan Revised area (including towns of Bobadah, Buddabadah, Girilambone, Hermidale and Mullengudgery)Riverin a area (including towns of Barham, Deniliquin, Finley, Jerilderie, Oaklands, Tocumwal, Wakool and Wanganella)South West Slopes and Plains area (including towns of Coolamon, Cootamundra, Culcairn, Griffith, Henty, Junee, Leeton, Narrandera, Temora, The Rock and Wagga Wagga)Young area (including towns of Barmedman, Boorowa, Harden, Koorawatha, Murrumburrah and Young)NSW areas in which assistance will expire on March 31, 2010
- Hume area (including towns of Khancoban and Tumbarumba)
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