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costs), the situation prevailing before the floods. The scheme was valid for a period of 30
months, effective from the 1st of October 1987.
In order to qualify for the subsidy, a particular farm unit had to be situated in the flood
disaster area. Secondly, only those farm units which were recognized by the then
Department of Agriculture and Water Supply (now the Department of Agriculture), as
having suffered flood damage, were eligible for the subsidy. Documentary proof of flood
damage accompanied by a map indicating the areal extent of the damage, plus other
relevant information, was required. Applicants were given six months in which to register
for the scheme. No flood repairs, for which a subsidy was requested, could be undertaken
prior to consent by the Department. The only exception was the repair of damage to
fences and stock watering systems essential for the continuation of farming activities.
These repairs could be made immediately after the subsidy application had been lodged.
Written consent from the Department specified the repairs which could be undertaken, as
well as the materials needed (for which invoices had to be obtained and submitted to the
Department). The consent included plans and specifications in accordance with which the
subsidized repairs had to be undertaken. Land users were also entitled to submit their own
plans and specifications. If these proposals were accepted by the Department, then the
damage was to be repaired as per the plans submitted.
The Department had to be notified once the subsidiz.ed repairs had been completed (within
the stipulated period according to the consent). Failure to notify the Department could
have resulted in a refusal to pay any subsidy, or a postponement of payment. Where flood
damage was unlikely to be repaired within the consent period, the Department was
empowered to extend that period (on application by the land user), provided that the
maximum period of 30 months was observed. Notification of the.completion of repairs by
the land user, included a written statement providing the exact dimensions and
specifications of the repairs undertaken, in accordance with the agreed plans. Repairs
were required to be functional (where applicable). Confirmation was also needed that the
repairs had been undertaken using new materials, except where otherwise permitted.
Alternatively, Departmental staff were required to inspect the farm unit and to compile a
report on the repairs. Inspection of the repairs could be carried out either before or after
the subsidy had been paid.