THE Victorian Farmers Federation has welcomed the state government’s $25 million Drought Preparedness and Support Package, announced by Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford earlier this week.
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The package includes support for mental health, small business planning and support for parents in farming communities manage cost of living pressures.
Although the package specifically targets families in East and Central Gippsland, farming communities in northern Victoria will also be given support to prepare for drought.
This includes mental health and wellbeing services, and the ability to apply to the Drought Infrastructure Grant Program.
VFF president and Murra Warra farmer David Jochinke said the package needed to be made available to farmers in other parts of the state as well.
“The VFF has lobbied for expanded relief arrangements behind the scenes for some months given worsening drought conditions confronting farmers, and welcomes the announcement of additional measures which may provide some relief for communities,” he said.
“It has has been calling for the target area for Drought Infrastructure Grants to be expanded beyond east and central Gippsland, to include other regions facing drought conditions, including the northern region, Mallee and Wimmera.”
Mr Jochinke said, although the package was a start, more still needed to be done.
“While we welcome the government’s extended package, we would again stress the importance of ensuring grants allocated are adequate to offer genuine on-farm relief from drought, while promoting long term preparedness and resilience, while relief from local council rates is also provided,” he said.
“To be frank, when farmers are looking at failed crops and paying thousands of dollars to buy feed for animals, a $1000 infrastructure grant and the time and paperwork it takes to secure it may not be meaningful for effective change.
“A farmer's variable income takes a significant hit during times of drought, yet at the same time some councils have increased their farm rates bills by as much as 20 to 50 per cent, which flies in the face of the huge impact drought conditions are already having on rural and regional communities.
“With the state election fast approaching the VFF will continue demanding action on rates from all candidates and parties, as well as a genuine vision for Victorian agriculture which promotes the long-term sustainability, resilience and profitability of our sector.”
Earlier this month, eight Wimmera Mallee councils asked the state government to fund a $15 million drought support package.
The joint effort involved Horsham, Mildura and Swan Hill Rural City councils, and Buloke, Yarriambiack, Hindmarsh, Buloke, Gannawarra and Loddon Shire councils.
The five-point outline included rates relief, financial advice support, mental health funding, funding for a Community Resilience Program and funding to return the Drought Employment Program.
Yarriambiack Shire Council mayor Graeme Massey welcomed the state government’s $25 million package.
“Out of the drought package we submitted, two items received funding,” Cr Massey said.
“That includes money for mental health, which was $2 million up, and hopefully we’ll get enough of that to fund the rural outreach programs that we want. Then there was also $1 million to advise farmers in financial stability.
“Then the Rural Financial Counselling Service received funding to have an advisor cover the Yarriambiack, Buloke and Hindmarsh shires. It’s an extra position which will be based around our area; the nearest place for us is Mildura at the moment.”
