Taskforce Green workers and a further $15,000 of Government
assistance are to be offered to Marlborough farmers who were
affected by severe fires late last month, Agriculture and
Rural Affairs Minister Jim Sutton and Social Services and
Employment Minister Steve Maharey said today.
This brings
the total of Government aid to affected Marlborough farmers
to $30,000. That breaks down to $12,100 for co-ordination
of the relief effort, $11,250 for technical advice, $5000
for counselling as advised by the Marlborough District
Council, and $1650 for Task Force Green administration.
Wages paid to Taskforce Green workers will also add to this
total.
The Ministers said grants funding came from an
emergency fund in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's
budget and will be administered by the Marlborough District
Council.
The council has also given money to help the
affected farmers, and assistance is also flowing in from
farmers in other parts of the country.
Mr Sutton said that
showed the solidarity, resilience, and generosity of the
rural community in New Zealand.
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