Preparing for bushfire season
Visit our preparing for bushfire season page for guidelines on emergency fodder, animal treatment and agistment.
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![Preparing for bushfire season]()
![Bushfire recovery]()
![North Australian fire information]()
![Drought management]()
![Flood information for livestock producers]()
![Flood recovery]()
![Colin Burnett: Managing the extremes]()
![Mental health support]()
![Lifeline]()
![Rural Financial Counselling Service]()
![Beyondblue]()
![FarmHub]()
![Buy a bale]()
Dealing with natural disasters
Natural disasters severely impact upon livestock production and enterprise management. The resources and publications below provide information and help for livestock producers dealing with natural disasters.
The Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website has information on current disasters as well as assistance packages.
Fires
State rural fire authorities or services should be contacted directly for assistance or information on fires (see below for links to relevant websites under state and territory conatcts).
Bushfire recovery
Visit our bushfire recovery page for resources related to fire recovery, including recovery assistance.
North Australian fire information
Providing information for cattle producers and land managers relating to fires in northern Australia.
Drought management and flood information and recovery
Drought management
Our drought management page provides resources to help support producers as they make decisions when heading into, managing through and recovering from drought.
Flood information for livestock producers
Find alert services, relevant contacts and support as well as resources for managing and recovering from flood in NSW and QLD.
Flood recovery
Knowing the signs of pasture damage, parasites and disease that occur during and after flood events can make recovery faster and more effective.
Case Study
Colin Burnett: Managing the extremes
North‑west Queensland producer Colin Burnett knows the risks of running a grazing business in extreme conditions all too well. Shortly after he used his 2018 Nuffield Scholarship to study business sustainability in varying climate and market forces, Colin was facing a natural disaster of his own.
Caring for People
The following organisations are able to provide support for those in rural areas.
Mental health support
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, you also can find a list of support services here.
Lifeline
If you’re thinking about suicide or experiencing a personal crisis, get in touch with Lifeline.
Rural Financial Counselling Service
Are you experiencing, or at risk, of financial hardship? Talk to a rural financial counsellor. It is a free, confidential service.
Beyondblue
Offering phone, live chat, email and online forum services for anyone who just wants to talk – no problem is too big or small.
FarmHub
The National Farmers’ Federation Farm Hub has climate information, resources and advice to manage hardship and has details of available on-farm support.
Buy a bale
Helping support Australia’s rural communities and Aussie farmers through the buy a bale program.
State and Territory contacts and hotlines
Australian Capital Territory
- Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate: 13 22 81
- ACT farmers’ support package
- Emergency information
New South Wales
- Local Land Services NSW: 1300 795 299
- NSW Rural Fire Service
- Drought support
- Emergency information
- Bush fire support
- DPI NSW works with Local Land Services to support the NSW Rural Fire Service to assist primary producers. See Information on current bushfires
Northern Territory
- Department of Primary Industry and Resources: 08 8999 2006
- NT Fire and Rescue Service
- Rural assistance and support services
- Emergency and safety
- Livestock in emergencies
Queensland
- Department of Agriculture and Fisheries: 13 25 23
- Queensland Rural Fire Service
- Drought support
- Natural disaster information
- Disaster recovery for livestock farms
- Climate risk information for rural Queensland
South Australia
- Primary Industries and Regions SA: 1800 255 556
- South Australian Country Fire Service
- Drought support
- Emergency management
Tasmania
- Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment: 1300 368 550
- Tasmania Fire Service
- Drought support
- Bushfire information
Victoria
- Agriculture Victoria: 136 186
- Country Fire Authority
- Drought support
- Emergency information
- Managing livestock after an emergency
Western Australia
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development: 1300 374 731
- Department of Fire and Emergency Services
- Dry seasons and drought
- Emergency management
