Weather News
Rent relief for drought-stricken properties in the NT
Matt Brann and Caddie Brain, Monday June 16, 2014 - 09:45 EST
The Northern Territory Government has today announced that it will not take a year's worth of pastoral rent from cattle stations, if they've been affected by 'drought-like conditions'.
Any Territory cattle station with low rainfall, poor pasture growth and who meets certain financial criteria, will be eligible to have their rent waivered for 2013-2014.
Minster for Land Resource Management, Willem Westra van Holthe, says his department has already identified 39 properties around Alice Springs and the Plenty Highway districts, that will meet the criteria.
"This is not a handout," he said.
"We're just stepping in now to give these guys a hand, realising that they have cash flow issues.
"A waiver of the pastoral rents for the last 12 months could go some way to helping them a bit."
Mr Westra van Holthe says this decision could save some stations up to $14,000.
"For a struggling pastoral property it could make a huge difference."
Tracey Hayes from the Northern Territory Cattlemen's Association welcomed the announcement, saying it shows the Minister has been listening to Central Australian producers.
"He has heard their messages and this has been his response," she said.
"Last year some producers in the Red Centre recorded less than 50 millimetres of rain and then there's been the summer period without a drop. So it's been hard."
For more information about the seasonal hardship package
- ABC
© ABC
2014
More breaking news
Sydney Morning Herald
ABC News
National Nine News
News Limited
-
Display your Local Weather here
automatically each time you visit us:
Rotates through Temperature,
Wind, Humidity and RainUse the Search Bar above
to find your Local, and go to the Local page
Click "Set My Local"
button next to the location name
Weather News
Snow worries but there's hope on the horizon
12:47 EST
Australia's alps are having the second worst start to a ski season in more than 20 years in terms of natural snow depth.
Wild weather on the way for New South Wales
12:42 EST
After a month of mostly high pressure, a cold front and trough will bump away the high and bring some woolly weather later this week to parts of New South Wales.
Turbulent skies over WA's interior
10:55 EST
Following a week of generally clear weather over the interior of WA, thundery clouds and a strong jetstream are leading to storm activity and some magnificent cloud features observable on satellite.
