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Media Release |
16 September, 2005
Deadline approaches for lower North Island flood relief claims
The final deadline for lower North Island farmers and growers to submit documentation supporting their claims for flood relief is looming.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), which administers the government’s Agricultural Recovery Programme, says the end of this month is the cut-off date for those claiming assistance under the agricultural part of the scheme.
Forestry-related claimants have a later deadline of 30 September 2006, taking into account the later announcement of the forestry part of the programme.
The recovery programme was set up in the aftermath of the February and August 2004 storms that severely damaged farms and forests across the lower North Island.
MAF’s Manager of the Agricultural Recovery Programme Jeremy Neild says some 760 affected landowners lodged initial applications for financial help to rebuild essential infrastructure and re-establish crops lost on their properties.
Once these applications were approved, property owners then had to arrange for the work to be done and supply MAF with proof of payment or invoices in order for recompense to be made.
“So far almost 29 million dollars has been paid out to approximately 475 of those claimants,” Mr Neild says. But he says MAF is concerned that there are still nearly 300 agricultural claimants yet to submit their proof of payment for work done.
“We suspect that the recent good weather has seen farmers out on their properties rather than tied up with office work. But the reality is that the cut-off date of 30 September will apply.
“It’s really important that the programme office in Palmerston North receives this documentation, either hand delivered by that day or postmarked September 30 at the latest,” Mr Neild stresses.
As the remaining claims are likely to come in as a last minute rush, he cautions that the processing may take some time and farmers shouldn’t expect to receive their payments immediately.
To contact the Agricultural Recovery Programme office for any advice regarding claims, farmers can call 06 351 7921 weekdays,
For further information, please contact: Jeremy Neild, Manager, Agricultural Recovery Programme, Ph 029 9532300
