The State Government has announced it will provide $4.4m over the forward estimates to continue support for regional South Australians experiencing hardship.
Through the Family and Business Support (FaBs) program, the mentoring service provides support for regional communities who are confronted with adverse events such as industry challenges, flood, bushfires, drought and biosecurity outbreaks.
The program provides a confidential triage service that connects individuals, families and businesses to specific services and assistance during difficult situations.
Experienced mentors provide critical information on where support can be found, such as available grants and information on how to navigate various services.
Currently there are 16 FaB Mentors located across regional South Australia.
Since October 2018 FaB mentors have engaged with 1050 primary producers.
The Rural Financial Counselling Service provides free and confidential financial counselling services to farmers, fishers, forest growers and harvesters experiencing or at risk of financial hardship.
The combination of the Rural Financial Counselling Service and the Family and Business Support Program provides a comprehensive gateway to wellbeing and business support services that is well recognised and valued by regional communities.
In recent times, access to the FaBs program has been utilised by River Murray primary producers and their families who are still recovering from the floods and require support, as well as wine and grape producers impacted by the current oversupply of red wine.
This is in addition to the Federal Government’s funding commitment of $11m over five years from 2021 to 2026 to Rural Business Support Service to deliver the Rural Financial Counselling Service in South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Visit pir.sa.gov.au/fabs to find a FaBS mentor.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said the funding for the Family and Business Support program was a key investment into the mental health, wellbeing, and growth of primary production throughout SA.
“The red wine over supply, River Murray Floods, 2019-20 bushfires, fruit fly, changing market conditions and biosecurity outbreaks has loaded producers and their businesses with large decisions to make as they adapt to an ever-changing climate,” she said.
“I am very pleased to have secured new funding for this program, which has proven to be very effective with experienced and empathetic mentors providing personalised support at times of real hardship.
“We look forward to continuing to work with Rural Business Support, our FaB mentors, and the Australian government to continue the delivery of this critical program that provides producers and their families a gateway to wellbeing and business support services.”
