Page Content
Northern New England
The exceptional circumstances declaration for the Northern New England was recently extended by
the Hon. Tony Burke MP, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
All producers in the declared area are eligible to apply for income support payments and interest rate subsidies.
Agriculture-dependent small business operators who derive 70 per cent of their turnover from agriculture in any EC declared area are also eligible to apply for income support payments and interest rate subsidies.
Producers and small business operators should not self-assess their eligibility for income support but should call the Drought Assistance Hotline on 13 23 16.Note: If your small business: is located in a town that is substantially reliant on farm incomes and has a population of 10,000 or less; and is in an EC area (including prima facie and interim assistance areas); and can demonstrate a significant downturn in income due to the drought, you may be eligible for assistance.
For more information on interest rate subsidies please contact your state rural assistance authority.
All producers and small business operators should note the following deadlines:
| Applicant | EC Relief Payment expiry | EC Interest Rate Subsidy Applications Close |
|---|---|---|
| Producers Small Businesses |
31 March 2009 | Year 1: 23 October 2007 Year 2: 30 September 2008* Year 3: 31 March 2009* |
* A 28-day grace period applies to the closing date for EC Interest Rate Subsidy applications.
Area Description
The Northern New England EC declared area covers RLBP Division A south of the Bruxner Highway, part of Division B and the whole of Division C. (Note: RLBP boundaries were redefined by NSW in 2005 and this area is equivalent to the old Divisions B, C, F, G and H of the Northern New England RLPB, as well as Division A south of the Bruxner Highway.)
Download the Northern New England EC declared area map 
PDF [332kb]