More drought cash a step in the right direction: VFF

Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said the continued support was sorely needed and testament to the sustained advocacy from VFF, farmers and the wider regional community.

“You can’t overstate how devastating this drought has been to our regional communities, and the only certainty we know is the recovery will take years,” he said.

“Genuine support is what’s needed, and this announcement is a step in the right direction.

“Our communities are hurting right now, and it’s my expectation that this money goes directly to drought-hit farmers straight away and paid in full. Immediate rate relief is a good example of how that can be done and is something we’ve been calling for.”

Farmers in the south-west have been feeling the worst of the drought conditions over the past two years.

The government invested $35.8 million to help farming households in south-west Victoria manage the pressures they are facing due to prolonged drought.

The Primary Producer Support Payments will provide eligible farmers with the equivalent of a 40 per cent reduction on their property rates in 12 local government areas in south-west Victoria: Ararat, Moyne, Colac Otway, Pyrenees, Corangamite, Southern Grampians, Glenelg, Surf Coast, Golden Plains, Warrnambool, City of Greater Geelong and southern parts of West Wimmera.

Local councils will distribute the payments.

The Victorian Government said to reduce the impact on household budgets, it was also giving $2 million to the Country Women’s Association to deliver household payments of up to $1000 to struggling families in eligible south-west shires.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan addressed the drought at a media conference in Benalla, in north-east Victoria, on Friday, July 4.

“I want to thank our farmers and primary producers because they play such an important role,” she said.

“They feed our state, they feed our nation, they’re a big part of their jobs and way of life for rural and regional Victorians and when farmers are doing it tough, I’ve made that commitment to step in and walk alongside farmers and rural communities to provide them with support.

“[It’s about] looking to the future, understanding that the next drought is on the horizon because it is just a feature of our weather conditions here in the northern region Victoria.”

A further $5.9 million was invested to continue critical technical decision-making support, mental health services, timely farm debt mediation and engagement activities for another 12 months.

Regional Cities Victoria chair and City of Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali said the road to recovery for farmers will be long.

“The state is relying on Victoria’s regions for food and fibre products to boost the state’s economy, that’s why direct relief to farmers continues to be our priority,” Cr Sali said.

“Our agriculture sector is the backbone of our economy. Right now, they need all the support they can get — even with recent rains, there is a long road to recovery ahead for Victoria’s primary producers and for the regional and rural economies that rely on them.

“Water already taken out of our regions has had a noticeable effect on farms and regional towns, however buybacks in dry years like this exacerbate existing water shortages further.”

Agriculture Victoria will also work with the livestock biosecurity compensation fund advisory committees, Dairy Food Safety Victoria and PrimeSafe to explore opportunities to waive biosecurity duties and regulatory fees and charges.

On top of this, Agriculture Victoria will waive indexation on its 2025-26 biosecurity fees and charges and provide targeted fee relief to assist farmers experiencing cashflow challenges.

The government also invested $3 million to expand Victoria’s Emergency Supply Point network and install new access points or upgrade existing ones across the state.

There is also $2.5 million to leverage existing groundwater bores to access water for domestic and stock usage in drought affected areas.

“Cashflow relief was one of the major items raised with the [drought] task force, which is why we’re helping farmers to create more room in their budgets to deal with the cost pressures they are facing in drought,” Agriculture Minister and acting Water Minister Ros Spence said.

“Responding to the task force and our regional communities, we are investing in both short-term solutions and legacy infrastructure to improve resilience and water security for farmers and their communities.”

To view the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available to drought impacted farmers, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or phone 136 186.