NEW DROUGHT RELIEF FOR FARMING TOWNS
* 60 councils across western Queensland, NSW and Victoria will be handed $1 million to spend on anything from drinking water to community facilities
* The amount farmers can borrow in low-interest concessional loans to pay for fodder and water will be doubled to $2 million
* The cost of fodder storage facilities can now be deducted immediately rather than depreciated over three years
* Total amount available for farming loans in any one year will also be doubled to $500 million
PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED DROUGHT SUPPORT
* Up to $12,000 for drought-affected farmers in the southern half of the country
* Up to $1 million for community-led mental health and community resilience initiatives
* Farm Household Allowance scheme scheme extended from three to four years, giving farmers access to a payment equivalent to the unemployment benefit (about $16,000 a year)
* Queensland has allocated more than $670 million to grants, loans, infrastructure projects and climate change programs
* NSW has provided an extra $500 million in support, including $190 million in transport subsidies
CHARITY EFFORTS
* Australian Red Cross disaster relief and recovery appeals will run until the end of August
* Salvation Army rural chaplains are visiting farms and communities, distributing food hampers, helping with bills, household jobs, work around the farm and emotional support
* An online initiative aimed at children encourages them to donate $5 to drought-stricken farmers
CORPORATE SUPPORT
* The big banks have promised not to charge affected farmers higher default interest rates on loan repayments, and to offset farm management deposits
* Coles has stumped up $5 million in grants and interest-free loans from its Nurture Fund, while funds raised in supermarkets go to the Country Women's Association
* Woolworths has pledged $1.5 million to Rural Aid's Buy a Bale program and contributed a share of their fresh food sales to farmers
Australian Associated Press
