General News
6 June, 2025
Yarriambiack cheers support
The Yarriambiack Shire Council has welcomed the Victorian government’s announcement of additional drought support and a reduced Emergency Services Volunteer Fund (ESVF) for the drought-impacted local governments.
Mayor Kylie Zanker said any help in this situation is vital for the farmers across the shire.
“Obviously, the announcement is great for the shire and our farmers,” she said.
“Yarriambiack Council is always there to advocate for any assistance available for the residents, as we don’t want our farmers to struggle.
“Any help from the state or federal governments is great for farmers.
“Farmers across the state are now eligible for a $5000 infrastructure grant, and it’s going to benefit them, as they have been struggling.”
The Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allen, announced an additional drought support package of $37.7 million on May 30, in addition to the $15.9 million announced in mid-May.
The recent announcement states that farmers across the state can now apply for grants of up to $5,000 for on-farm drought management improvements.
Additionally, eligible grant recipients will also be able to access an increased amount up to $10,000 across 11 local government areas and parts of West Wimmera.
Cr Zanker said they submitted the rainfall data to the authorities before the drought package announcement.
“Some farmers approached us and we asked for the rainfall data from them,” she said.
“We did advocacy on behalf of the farmers and submitted that data to the concerned authorities.”
As part of the package, the 24 drought-impacted local government areas would pay a reduced amount for the ESVF, and its variable rate on primary production properties would remain at 28.7 per cent, the same as it was in the previous year.
“Farmers are not paying more, as they are going to pay the same 28.7 per cent levy this year as well,” Cr Zanker said.
Quambatook farmer and VFF President Brett Hosking said in a press release after the announcememnt it represented a step in the right direction as Victoria endured crippling drought conditions across the state.
“Farmers are doing it tough and some are facing the worst drought conditions in living memory," he said in the statement.
“This announcement offers a glimmer of hope and is recognition that the pressure we’ve applied is being heard. It’s a step in the right direction, but plenty more remains to be done.”
Mr Hosking said that 12 month pause to the controversial ESVL was welcome and allowed more time to talk with the government.
“Pausing the ESVL increases for 12 months is the right call, but it doesn’t change the underlying problem: this levy is an unfair cost shift onto farmers.”
“We’ll use this extra time to continue making the case that it needs to be scrapped altogether, not simply paused."
As part of the May 30 announcement, the State Government announced a dedicated 14-person Drought Response Taskforce, which includes Mr Hosking, Labor ministers Jaclyn Symes, Ros Spence, Gayle Tierney and Michaela Settle; Nationals MP Peter Walsh; and Dr Susan Brumby from the National Centre for Farmers Health.
The Taskforce will be chaired by the Premier.