L.ADP.2008-Back to Business Bushfire Recovery project –Tasmanian coordinator

Summary

The 2019-20 bushfires in NSW, ACT, WA, Vic, Tas and SA affected an estimated 26,000 livestock producers (approx. 57,000 PICs). MLA funded one-on-one support sessions with bushfire affected producers and local farm management consultants in Tasmania. The support sessions provided tailored support to develop an individual plan to help get bushfire-affected producers back on track.

Objectives

The objective of this project was to provide one on one support for red meat producers in Tasmania that were impacted by bushfire. This support would allow producers to return to a profitable enterprise sooner following the affects of the bushfire.

The key objectives and deliverables of this project are further broken down into those for the State Coordinator, and those for the Consultants sub-contracted under this project.

For the State Coordinator:
•Engage appropriate Farm Management Consultants (FMCs) to work in bushfire affected regions of Tasmania and provide contact details to MLA to contract
•Ensure FMCs meet the eligibility criteria
•Engage and verify eligibility of fire affected red meat producers, and ensure completion of the registration form which includes producer consent
•Pair bushfire affected producers with an appropriate FMC, which can include working with producers to determine preferred FMC and does not exclude current advisors provided they meet FMCs eligibility criteria
•Provide MLA with updates on the program monthly
•Collate reporting from farm management consultants and detail in final report summarising the outcomes of the program.

For the Farm Managment Consultant:
•Provide three (3) sessions to each bushfire affected producer.
•Complement and build on any rural counselling services currently available
•Report on the details of each session, which includes actions and outcomes, and provide to Consultant.

Key findings

Six FMCs from three businesses registered for the program in Tasmania. One producer engaged with the program (very limited areas in Tasmania were impacted by fire in 2019/20, so only a few producers were eligible for the program). The participant rated the program highly.

Benefits to industry

The program was valued by participants and enabled recovery. It is recommended that similar support be offered in future natural disasters. The benefit to industry is that producers recover more quickly from natural disasters and are better prepared for how to manage in future.

MLA action

MLA is using the outcomes of this project to assess the overall impact of the Back to Business Bushfire recovery program. Recommendations out of this project will inform the framework for natural disaster preparedness and recovery programs moving forward.

Future research

Recommendation that future disaster-related adoption programs could focus on preparedness for natural disasters, in addition to recovery.