The State Government will more than double its funding to Primary Production Services this year to support financial counselling services for rural businesses.
Under current arrangements, the Federal Government’s Rural Financial Counselling Service provides support to primary producers in Western Australia, but most small businesses are not eligible.
This year’s dry conditions in parts of the grainbelt have left some small businesses in rural areas struggling and Primary Production Services, which delivers the Rural Financial Counselling Service, has flagged a need to expand its services to support these businesses.
The funding, which brings the State Government’s contribution to $250,000, has been provided from within existing Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development resourcing.
The State Government is continuing to work with industry groups and growers to provide agronomic and economic information to assist them during these dry seasonal conditions. Further information can be found at https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/