No local government areas in this region have been included in the support measures, with the focus on south-west Victoria where the drought is most severe, and other areas of the south and west.
The VFF welcomed the announcement, but said the package does not go nearly far enough to address the mounting pressure facing farmers and rural communities.
VFF president Brett Hosking said while any support is appreciated, the limited scale of the package falls well short of what is required, especially when compared with more substantial efforts in other states such as South Australia.
The South Australian Government recently committed $55 million for wide-ranging measures to support farmers as they face the worst drought in living memory across the state.
Mr Hosking said Victorian farmers were not asking for handouts.
“They are asking for meaningful recognition of the strain this drought is putting on their livelihoods, their families and their mental health.
“The response so far is too narrow in scope. What is urgently needed is for the government to get out into the regions, speak directly with the farmers doing it tough, and take real action based on what they are hearing.”
Nationals MPs in northern Victoria have expressed their frustration with the limited nature of the support package.
State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland said the region’s farmers had once again been left behind.
“While we support relief for all drought-affected farmers across the state, it defies belief that areas like Benalla, Strathbogie and Campaspe — where rainfall deficiencies are as bad or worse than those receiving support — have been completely overlooked,” she said.
“Our paddocks are bare, our dams are dry, and our farmers are at breaking point.
“Saleyards and freight networks are under enormous pressure, while hay is being trucked in at massive expense just to keep stock alive.
“Every day without support is a day closer to lost stock, abandoned farms, and growing mental health trauma.”
Mr Hosking said some of the most impactful changes would not cost the government anything.
“There are simple regulatory shifts that could make an immediate difference, such as allowing better control of pest animals like kangaroos, or relaxing regulations to allow more high-productivity vehicles on our road networks to cart additional fodder to feed the starving animals we are seeing on farms as a result of the drought.
“These changes would help farmers protect their stock and manage limited resources more effectively.
“This drought is not just about dry paddocks. It is about people, families and communities under stress.
“We need a more serious, coordinated response that shows farmers they are not facing this alone.”
The drought support package has been labelled pathetic by the dairy industry’s peak body.
“They have extended the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant program that was announced for south-west Victoria last September to farmers in other local government areas, but there’s nothing new for those farmers affected by drought who have already applied for the grants,” UDV president Bernie Free said.
“You’ve got to have the matching $5000 to spend on infrastructure. If you’re in drought and struggling to feed animals, you’re not going to have $5000 to spend on infrastructure. It’s just ridiculous.”
The On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant program, which has already supported more than 1500 farmers in south-west Victoria, will continue and be extended to farmers in West Wimmera, Horsham Rural City, Northern Grampians, Hepburn, Moorabool, Ballarat, Towong, Mornington Peninsula, Bass Coast, Cardinia, Baw Baw, Casey, South Gippsland and French Island.
Mr Free said farmers needed an interest rate subsidy which could bring cash flow so businesses could buy feed and keep stock alive and practical support to help with day-to-day survival.
“People say you can sell your cattle today and in two years’ time you’ll have calves coming into your herd and you’re away.
“I know from practical experience that when you sell stock you shouldn’t sell, it took me five to six years to get back to where I was.”
In a statement, Agriculture Victoria said it would continue to monitor conditions in the critical period leading up to spring, ensuring support is getting to farmers who need it most.
Victorian Agriculture Minister Ros Spence said she had heard directly from farmers about the impact drought conditions were having on communities.
“We’re continuing to back them with the support they need to tackle the challenging dry conditions across the state,” Ms Spence said.
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