L.ADP.2006 - ‘Back to Business’ Bushfire Recovery – West Australian coordinator

Summary

The recent bushfires in NSW, ACT, WA, Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia have affected an estimated 26,000 livestock producers (approx. 57,000 PICs). MLA initiated a number of activities to support producers through the bush fire recovery phase, including partnering with state departments to deliver information sessions, setting up a web portal on the MLA website for information that is easy to find, and allocating sponsorship funding towards information sessions that will support producers in the bushfire affected regions.

In addition to these initiatives, MLA funded free one on one support with a local farm management consultant for up to three sessions to provide tailored support to develop an individual plan to help get their business back on track.

Impacted producers had free access to a farm management consultant for up to three sessions. A farm management consultant is considered to be an experienced consultant that specialises in farm business management with in-depth understanding of livestock farming systems from an integrated technical and financial perspective. The suggested outline of each session is detailed below, though the program ensured flexibility given the variation in individual farm circumstances and operations.

Importantly it is farm management consultants that needed to be engaged for this program, to ensure producers get the depth of service and technical advice they required to get the “farm business” back on track. The consultants engaged by MLA aimed to complement and build on any rural counselling services that are now available.

This program commenced in January 2020 and although aimed to conclude at the end of June 2020, continued until December 2020 in order to reach more producers.

Objectives

The clear objective of the program was to get the producers “back to business” ASAP. This was through them having access to farm management consultants to help establish a way out of the immediate situation as well as establishing plans to strengthen the business in the long term.

Key findings

In WA we had low uptake of the program. It is believed that this is due to a combination of factors, however overall only a small amount of fires impacted farm businesses to a significant level. In W.A. most of the major fires were contained to national parks, with minimal damage to surrounding farms. In addition, the timing of fires in the Katanning area that impacted farms coincided with seeding and COVID-19. Producers seemed to “just get on with it”, or perhaps were in shock and focused on the job at hand rather than utilising offered help.

The business that took up the program has found it highly beneficial and is wanting to continue planning into the future.

Now that we have an example, or “case study” to use to show what the program is designed to do, it is anticipated that any future uptake would be increased.

Benefits to industry

The project ensured that support was available to all impacted businesses in WA-this was an excellent opportunity, particularly as stock numbers in Western Australia have been diminishing in recent years and producers may not realise they need assistance. There is also a ‘feel good’ aspect for those affected by fires in WA, to know that despite attention focusing on the eastern states’ fires, there is recognition of local hardship, and a program in place to assist producers to get back on their feet.

MLA action

Evaluation of the program should be undertaken to understand the economic, social, welfare and environmental impact of this investment.

Future research

It is recommended that the boundaries of this project are extended to other natural disasters including drought. Much of the southern Wheatbelt has endured three extremely poor seasons, which in context of our environment (Mediterranean) could be classed as drought. Livestock production is diminishing as a result and system changes are required to manage the situation. Helping producers to recognise needed changes through this project would be greatly beneficial.