‘Back to Business’ Bushfire Recovery Project - NSW coordinator
MLA offered one on one advisor support for producers affected by bushfire in New South Wales.
| Publication date: | 06 April 2022 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Lamb |
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Summary
The 2019/2020 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 New South Wales. The support sessions provided tailored support to develop an individual plan to help get bushfire-affected producers back on track.
Objectives
The key objectives of the state coordination role were to recruit and engage farm management consultants, to ensure that they met the minimum eligibility criteria, engage and verify eligibility of bushfire affected red meat producers, pair producers with consultants, collate reporting and summarise the outcomes of the program.
Key findings
Sixty four bushfire affected producers engaged with consultants in one on one sessions to set plans in place and to establish opportunities for business recovery. Twenty two consultants met the eligibility criteria and engaged and enrolled to participate. Of these seventeen delivered consultancies to producers. Advice provided varied depending on client needs. Producer evaluation of the program was extremely positive. On a scale of 1-10 (10 = high score) approximately 95 percent of responses were rated 8 to 10 for key questions regarding value of the program to the business and satisfaction of the program.
Benefits to industry
This project has provided business support to livestock producers at a time when they needed it most. Over 90 percent of producers have already implemented action plans to change with the majority of these changes relating to improving productivity in their businesses. Another key benefit was the ability of producers, who were emotionally exhausted, to step out of the immediate operational needs of the business and to focus on planning to deliver a clear picture of the priorities for action.
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
This project delivered value to those participating. The number of producers participating relative to the number exposed to bushfires was, however, low. Investigation into improving uptake of such programs would be beneficial given the value to those participating. Some producer commentary has indicated that response times were slower than desirable while others suggested a longer time frame for delivery would be useful. A generic disaster action plan with protocols developed to deliver improved response times may assist.
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For more information Contact Project Manager:Keely Kovacevic |
