Southland/south Otago adverse event - Tuesday update
Released 28 Sep 2010
Teams continue to find significant stock losses in coastal South Otago as well as in Southland. Federated Farmers also thanks the Alliance Group, FMG, ASB Bank, Westpac, Ballance Agri-Nutrients, CRT and PGG Wrightson for their assistance and/or financial contributions.
Please click here to go to the Federated Farmers dedicated adverse events page.
Major updates and rural news:
Post-storm meetings
Federated Farmers is organising with the Rural Support Trusts, a series of information meetings designed to speed recovery. It will provide vital information about the response, managing stress, insurance matters, financial management, animal health as well as options for affected farmers. These meetings will also have an important fellowship dimension with some celebrities to lighten the mood, followed by refreshments. Details to follow but please diarise these dates:
- Monday, 4 October, Wyndham, 7pm (venue tba)
- Tuesday, 5 October, Otautau 7pm (venue tba)
- Wednesday, 6 October, Balclutha 7pm (venue tba)
Advice from Inland Revenue
This advice applies across all tax types in Southland and South Otago. The Minister of Revenue, the Hon Peter Dunne, has instructed Inland Revenue to show discretion on late income equalisation deposits and early withdrawals. This means Inland Revenue will show some flexibility with late filing and payment of tax. This is not a blanket extension, noting GST was due today, but applies on an case-by-case basis. What farmers have to do is:
- To contact their accountant or tax agent as soon as possible and alert them as to the need for late filing (or any other tax-related matter)
- Agents will then then deal with Inland Revenue in the adverse events area.
The Minister said last Friday that, "it is about looking to have Inland Revenue work with a local community that is under stress because of natural disaster and recognise that they have a lot on their plate right now. Where possible, Inland Revenue will use its discretion to ease the immediate tax burden while farmers get back on their feet."
Both Federated Farmers and the Rural Support Trust Southland have an Invercargill contact for Inland Revenue and if farmers strike any problems, they are advised to call us.
Advice from Environment Southland (issued Saturday) can be accessed by clicking here.
Initial updates from the major rural lenders:
Westpac customers
- Westpac is proactively calling its rural customers and we expect to carry more information shortly. In the meantime, customers should speak with their rural manager or phone 0800 177 155.
ASB Bank customers
ASB Bank is providing a Rural Restart Loan to assist farmers in Southland to meet immediate working capital requirements. ASB has further donated $100,000 to the Federated Farmers Adverse Events Trust. Details of its Rural Restart Loan are as follows:
- Purpose: To provide immediate working capital facilities for farmers in the Southland region adversely affected by the recent massive snow storm.
- Criteria: Farms within the affected area who have been severely disrupted by the snow storm and have immediate short term cashflow needs to pay farm related expenses such as for feed, replacement stock and repairs and maintenance.
- Availability of Offer: Open until 1 April 2011
- Fund Size: Reviewable
- Facility: Overdraft priced at 1.25 percent less than ASB's Housing Variable Rate from time to time, therefore a current rate of 5 percent per annum applies.
- Fees: Waived for this facility
- Limit: Up to $100,000 for each existing ASB customer
- Term: One year interest only, followed by repayment over three years
- Conditions: Lending criteria applies and ASB product terms and conditions apply.
- Contact: Contact your local Relationship Manager. Alternatively, call ASB Contact Centre on 0800 272 007 between 8am to 8pm, 7days a week.
Rabobank customers
- Rabobank will put out a release regarding support in the near future. Meanwhile, Rabobank is working on a case-by-case basis with affected clients to support them through this difficult time. For assistance please contact Rabobank on 0800 722 622.
National Bank customers
- The National Bank rural managers are proactively out and about contacting customers and offering support. Rural managers in Southland can be contacted by clicking here while Rural managers in South Otago can be contacted by clicking here.
- The National Bank is aiming to support its customers for the long-haul as the impacts from this adverse event may not kick in for many farmers until later in the season
- National Bank managers have put in 75 volunteer hours in thus far helping farmers and more will be done over the coming weeks
- It will take some time to properly assess and understand the impact on farms and it will tailor its support on a case-by-case basis as farmers have been impacted in different ways
- The National Bank's support has a short-term and long term focus and is aimed at putting in place plans to help farmers get through the immediate crisis and devastation, but also restore cash and capital provisions over the next one to three years
- It urges farmers to talk to family and friends and their business partners, including banks, so they can share the issues and challenges they are facing.
BNZ customers
- BNZ has called every rural customer and agribusiness managers are helping out clients on-farm as additional labour
- The BNZ is working on a package for affected farmers that we expect to carry tomorrow. In the meantime, customers are encouraged to speak with their BNZ partner direct or contact 0800 275 269.
Short term MetService weather outlook:
Tomorrow, it will become fine during the morning, with high cloud and winds becoming light. On Thursday, cloud will increase in the morning with scattered rain developing. Easterlies. On Friday, rain with heavy falls, easing to showers later and southwest winds developing, strong about the coast. Snow above 700 metres. On Saturday, there will be occasional showers, especially about the coast and strong westerlies. On Sunday there will be occasional showers, especially about the coast with strong westerlies. For the latest MetService update, please click here.
Animal feed and farm services:
Federated Farmers feed list
A comprehensive feed list will be posted tomorrow, however please click here to be taken to the adverse events page where initial feed is being offered, or contact 0800 327 646 during business hours tomorrow.
Rural contractors are available
Rural Contractors New Zealand, an affiliated member of Federated Farmers, provides one of the quickest means to assist farmers with urgent tasks. To be put in contact with a rural contractor nearest your farm, please contact them on 0800 424 266.
Community news and help:
Mental health emergency teams
Given there is considerable stress, Federated Farmers wishes to make everyone aware of the Mental Health Emergency Teams, who provide a 24 hours a day, 7 days a week service for those people who need crisis mental health (emergency) treatment, assistance and information. The Service aims to respond quickly and, wherever possible, assessment, treatment and support will take place in the community.
- Southland - 0800 467 846
- Otago - 03 474 0999 (emergency after hours number)
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ)
RWNZ is gearing up to offer support to farming families in Southland and Otago. Up to $200 will be available for each community event and people wishing to apply for funding should contact RWNZ Executive Officer, Noeline Holt on 04)473 5524 or email noeline.holt@ruralwomen.org.nz.
Important contact numbers:
Federated Farmers: 0800 327 646
Rural Support Trust: 0800 787 254
Environment Southland: 0800 768 845
For wider comment:
Don Nicolson, Federated Farmers President, 03 216 7405, 027 226 6331
Rod Pemberton, Federated Farmers Southland provincial president, 027 295 5129, 03 446 6666
David Rose, Federated Farmers adverse events spokesperson, 03 235 2619, 027 414 2573
Conor English, Federated Farmers Chief Executive, 027 441 0786, 04 494 9189
