Orange wineries have welcomed government funding to help them recover from a devastating time.
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The federal government has announced wineries will be able to receive grants up to $10,000 in a new allocation of Bushfire Recovery Fund money.
Orange Region Vignerons Association president Nicole Samodol said drought, smoke taint from bushfires and the affects of the coronavirus lockdown had taken a massive toll on wineries and cellar doors in the region.
Smoke doesn't recognise local government boundaries.
- Nicole Samodol, president ORVA
She said the new funding, which is separate to a similar offer from the state government, was welcome.
"We're incredibly grateful for the additional support," she said.
Ms Samodol said all wineries in the region had received some element of smoke taint damage over summer.
"I think 100 per cent [of wineries] to varying degrees. It's very random," she said.
"It has had a devastating impact."
She said initially state funding had only been provided for areas directly affected by the bushfires.
However, lobbying by the wine industry had extended it throughout the Cabonne and Orange council areas.
"Smoke doesn't recognise local government boundaries," she said.
While the federal government funding was announced this week the application process is not yet open.
However, Ms Samodol urged all wineries in the region to apply for the funding assistance.
It is aimed at covering costs including salaries, rent, wages, utilities, equipment, fuel, developing the business, building resiliency and/or financial advice.
To be eligible wineries need to show they experienced a fall in income of 40 per cent since August 1 last year and must match the grant dollar-for-dollar with a private financial contribution.
Also businesses which has received a $75,000 primary producer grant or a $10,000 Small Business Bushfire Support Grant are ineligible for this money.
Member for Calare Andrew Gee said it would help get producers back on their feet.
"In the Central West our acclaimed wine producers attract wine enthusiasts from across the globe putting tourism dollars back into our local community and creating jobs," he said.
Mr Gee said 60,000 tonnes of the national wine grape harvest was lost to smoke taint from the bushfires.
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