The NSW Opposition is calling for Category C funding to be rolled out to businesses and primary producers on the north coast as they struggle to recover from cyclone Alfred.

NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders visited impacted farmers in the Tweed region yesterday, alongside Shadow Minister for the North Coast Gurmesh Singh and Shadow Minister for Flood Recovery Geoff Provest.

The current support allows small businesses and primary producers to apply for concessional loans, but a Category C-level declaration would also offer clean-up and recovery grants.

NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders said Premier Chris Minns needs to urgently make a request to the Commonwealth for the extra assistance.

“The impact this natural disaster has had on our primary producers is severe, devastating every part of the agriculture sector from our fishers, to cane and soybean growers, as well as the beef and dairy industries,” Mr Saunders said.

(Flooded cane fields on the north coast. Photo: supplied)

“Our farmers are there for us each and every day, and the Premier now needs to show he is there for them as well by doing everything he can to help them get back on their feet.”

Shadow Minister for the North Coast Gurmesh Singh said it will be a long road to recovery.

“We know it could take quite some time to repair the damage Alfred has caused, not only to property but also to businesses and supply chains,” Mr Singh said.

“We need these grants made available as soon as possible to help primary producers repair fences, replant crops, dispose of flood debris, and invest in flood-resilient infrastructure moving forward.”

Shadow Minister for Flood Recovery Geoff Provest said there are also concerns about whether the timing of the federal election will cause delays.

(Banana plantations hit by TC Alfred. Photo: supplied)

“We need a guarantee there won’t be any impact on getting this crucial support out the door now that the Federal Government has gone into caretaker mode,” Mr Provest said.

“These businesses and producers have already been left in the lurch in the aftermath of this significant weather event, and they simply can’t afford to wait months to get the help they desperately need.”  

The Opposition is also calling for bolstered monitoring of red imported fire ants, as flooding increases the risk of spread.

"The reality of fire ants establishing in NSW is billions of dollars worth of lost agricultural production every year, and that is not a risk the Government should be willing to take."

“This is the time for control not complacency, especially because we’re not yet sure whether the ants have made their way deeper into NSW as a result of these storms.”