EMAIL TO KATRINA HODGKINSON: Hello Katrina, We have a NDD now, but the recovery arrangements are far from adequate in this situation and we require classification as a Category C. Our situation calls for recovery grants for primary producers as the farming sector here is severely affected with threats to viability and disruption of production likely to extend beyond the current season. We invite you to please visit and see for yourself. The one-inch diameter hail stones flying in sideways with the winds of estimated 160 km and hour battered trees, vines and vegetables. Vegetable crops were wiped out. VInes and trees were damaged so badly that they may either die or it will affect several seasons harvest. Grape vines had 2015 crop wiped out and buds (on which 2016 grapes grow on) ripped off jeopardising 2016 crop. The vines were damaged so badly that the 2017 crop will be affected and their survival itself is in doubt. Leaves ripped off and shredded; bark ripped off; vine rows blown over and snapped off at the base. At this time of year the grapes are usually a lovely mop of lush green leaves which protect the grape bunches underneath. Now they are stripped near-to-bare twiggy branches. With our sweltering summer fast approaching they have no protection from our harsh sun. In some cases one side of the vines were shredded and the other side still hung onto some of the buds responsible for 2016 crop. This however would mean that all the growth next year approaching 2016 harvest will be on one side of the vine. This would make them very unstable and easily tipped by wind. Citrus trees also lost all of 2015 harvest. They also sustained bark damage which can lead to disease and branch die-back. Citrus have very sensitive bark and if upset, the limbs ahead of the damaged bark can die. Sunburn is a problem that can cause this phenomenon. Usually more protected with its canopy in tact, the damaged citrus are under severe threat from our harsh summer sun this season. Farmers spray a clay product onto the citrus that acts as a block-out sunscreen protecting the bark. This was chipped off in the storm as well as some of the bark. Farmers now have citrus with no sun protection. Very small citrus trees were destroyed. Small citrus trees are under severe threat of death. Larger citrus will suffer. All will suffer longer than this season. 2015 crop is gone. 2016 crop will be smaller than usual. I do not know what happens after that, but if the trees have suffered this sort of damage I would imagine the legacy would go on for longer. Farmers are in immediate need to get recovery grants to help fix the infrastructure. Some peoples grape vines are just lying on the ground with whole rows blown over. Contractors are required to be hired to pick these up. Citrus all need to be sprayed. People have their irrigation systems damaged badly. A fellow farmer we know just payed tens of thousands to fix damaged irrigation infrastructure. All of these things are urgent. The trees/vines wont wait! The longer they are left unprotected or on the ground, the more damage they sustain and the less there is a point to picking them up. We really need assistance now. The costs roll on and the income has ceased. We invite you to please come and see. We would love the opportunity to show you, to meet with you and tell you our stories and our needs. Attached are some photos from our family farm to give you an idea. The photos depict grapevines and citrus trees. We await your reply at your very earliest convenience. Yours faithfully, Selina Wilson
Posted on: Mon, 01 Dec 2014 11:49:10 +0000