Council
11 July, 2025
HRCC seeking answers on new drought funding
Horsham Rural City Council mayor Ian Ross has expressed his disappointment with the Victorian Government's recent drought relief package, which excluded Horsham from the latest round of support initiatives.
The state government's Primary Producers Support Payments aim to offer eligible farmers a 40 per cent reduction in property rates.
In response, the council is seeking clarification regarding the decision.
The mayor said the council had intensified its advocacy for increased drought support in the region, collaborating with Regional Cities Victoria through the Drought Response Taskforce.
"While this is a welcome package of drought support for impacted areas across Victoria, we are extraordinarily disappointed that the southern areas of our municipality have been blocked from access to vital funding support,” Cr Ross said.
In May, the government announced further funding to extend the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure package to additional impacted areas, which included West Wimmera and Horsham Rural City Council.
However, Horsham has been excluded from the newest drought support funding just six weeks later.
Cr Ross said Regional Cities Victoria was advocating for the expansion of funded areas to the south and west areas of the Horsham Rural City Council.
“The southern grazing areas of our municipality have faced some of the driest conditions on record over the last two years,” he said.
“The cost of buying in feed to maintain stock levels is staggering, but the impact of reducing stock in depressed market conditions also has long-term financial implications for farming families.
“Whilst rain over the last few weeks has been welcome, it does not end the drought conditions on farms, and ongoing support is needed until normal pasture growth can maintain stock.”
He said the council supported the inclusion of the southern parts of West Wimmera in the list of eligible Councils to receive the new support package and believes a similar approach is valid for the Horsham municipality.
“Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence has stated that the Government is continuing to back farmers with the support they need to tackle the challenging dry conditions across the state,” the mayor said.
“Horsham farming communities also need this support, and we now ask Premier Allan and the Victorian Government to reconsider their position and include the southern grazing areas of our municipality in the new support package.”
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