News

Dear growers and industry

Our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted by Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

We know this is a stressful and anxious time for many of you, especially our growers in the Northern Rivers, many of whom have been badly affected. The situation is still unfolding in QLD, as rainfall intensifies in some areas.

One of the most important steps for affected growers in the coming days is to complete a Primary Industries Natural Disaster Damage Assessment for your orchard/business. 

These assessments will help the QLD DPI, NSW DPIRD and government understand the scale and regional distribution of the impact of Alfred on agriculture/horticulture, plan for recovery activities and target resources and assistance in an area.

We have included some important ‘macadamia specific’ tips below for filling out the assessment and urge you to reach out to your local grower liaison officer and/or the DPI, who can assist you to quantify your damage. AMS staff are also on hand and available to assist you to fill out and/or submit the assessments, if required. 

LINKS FOR DISASTER DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS

• NSW GROWERS can fill out the Primary Industries Natural Disaster Damage Assessment here.

• QLD GROWERS can fill out the QDPI Agriculture Disaster Impact Survey here.

TIPS FOR MACADAMIA GROWERS WHEN FILLING OUT DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS

•    Photos are welcome but not required, the commentary about impact is the most important.

•    The form asks you to quantify loss of crop in kilograms, not tonnes.

•    Remember to quantify damage to: 

               o    Trees

               o    Orchard floor/drains/headlands/roads

               o    Immediate crop loss

               o    Farm infrastructure

               o    Costs of clean up - mulching, pruning, staking, replanting 

               o    Impact and cost of delayed harvest including increased reject kernel

               o    Loss of future crop from tree damage/loss

               o    NB: Much of the above information can be included in the comments section

                     at the end of the online form.

We will keep you up to date with information regarding financial and other assistance as it becomes available.

Please reach out to us if you need any other information or assistance.

Yours sincerely

Clare Hamilton-Bate

AMS CEO