OYSTER growers in the Port Stephens area will have a number of fees and charges waived for the 2022-23 financial year in recognition of the back-to-back challenging years faced by the industry.

Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders said oyster production had been significantly impacted by a number of natural disasters since 2020, including drought, bushfires and flooding.

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“I have met with aquaculture industry groups across NSW who have expressed the need for ongoing government support after three years of hardship,” Mr Saunders said.

“The NSW aquaculture industry, particularly in the Port Stephens region, has faced serious challenges in recent years, and the cumulative impacts of adverse weather events and harvest area closures have significantly impacted business operations.

“On top of these weather events, the Port Stephens oyster industry has also been dealt a huge blow with a widespread outbreak of QX disease, which has been devastating for the local area.

“To date, more than $2.5 million has been provided to the Port Stephens region to help oyster growers get back on their feet, because we know how critical a role they play in the region’s economy and tourism industry.

“We are also working on additional support packages, which will be announced shortly.”

The waivers will be reflected in growers’ DPI Fisheries annual accounts, and the Department of Primary Industries will work with the Food Authority and Crown Lands to manage the arrangement across those agencies.

Fee waivers include fisheries and aquaculture permit holder fees, Food Authority Shellfish Program annual fees and Crown Lands annual rental fees, and will apply to all oyster and mussel aquaculture permit holders in NSW.

For additional support and guidance, growers are encouraged to reach out to Rural Financial Counsellors North Coast via www.rfcsnr.org.au or DPI Rural Recovery Services at flood.recovery@dpi.nsw.gov.au or 0448 077
684.

A summary of support options for those in declared disaster areas is also available at https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/emergencies/floods/natural-disaster-assistance-guide.