Bushfire recovery funding success for four Wonboyn oyster businesses

Four separate oysters farming businesses got together and decided to make a joint application for bushfire recovery funds, announced by federal and state government to support industry and boost the economy.

Across Eden-Monaro, 26 industry projects worth a total of over $56million were announced this week, as our communities continue the process of recovery after the catastrophic 2019-20 bushfires.

Wonboyn Resilience Project aims to support the oyster farmers of Wonboyn to adapt farming methods in response to changing environmental conditions, enabling sustainability and growth of the industry.

By replacing, upgrading and adapting existing plant and equipment, this project will assist in the repair of infrastructure damaged by the bushfires.

Caroline Henry of K&C Rock Oysters said the funding will help the heavily impacted businesses bring in new ways to mitigate issues surrounding climate change such as rising water levels.

"We are all thrilled," Ms Henry said.

"One business is getting a new grading machine, one will go in to flip-farming, another will extend their posts to make them above flood height - we can all work into the future with the technologies we now have.

"We were badly impacted by the fires and we are all finding different ways to ensure we remain viable.

"This industry are major employers in the local area and we are all reliant on the lake being looked after and managed correctly," Ms Henry said.

Also included are Wonboyn Wilderness Oysters, Tim Maher Oysters and Shane Davis Oysters.

Rebecca Hamilton of Sapphire Coast Wilderness Oysters businesses worked together with the four businesses to make the application for funding and said the submission required a lot of detail.

"It's time consuming, but all the oyster farmers involved in the project were extremely committed to providing all the information required," she said

"This project will produce significant farming efficiencies, and will see an 25-30 percent increase in production capacity and a sustained increased 30 percent local employment.

"It has been an incredibly difficult year and has pushed many businesses to the threshold. This funding will enable farmers to adapt their practices to ensure the oyster industry of Wonboyn continues to thrive," Ms Hamilton said.