The long-awaited announcement has been made that the application for exceptional circumstances for the Bundarra district has been approved.

The Nationals Senator for New South Wales John Williams this morning (Tuesday) said the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke has advised him that he has accepted a recommendation from the National Rural Advisory Council.

Senator Williams said the target area that was submitted has been approved for EC relief until 2012.

"This takes in 120 primary producers and approximately 246,000 hectares. It is the culmination of a long process that began last October when the farming community around Bundarra asked that I take up their case.

“Unfortunately the buffer areas that were part of the revised application have not been approved which is extremely disappointing. This affects 45 farming families covering just over 162,000 hectares and many of these landholders are in desperate need.

“We will not give up on them and will now consider resubmitting their case as part of the Delungra application or as a separate submission. They need our support," Senator Williams said.

Centrelink will be in contact with people who have previously been on EC in the area to explore their eligibility, or farmers can phone the Centrelink Rural Hotline on 13 23 16.

© 2010 Inverell Times

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