Victoria Pumps $15.9 Million into Drought Relief for Farmers

The Victorian Government, led by Agriculture Minister Ros Spence, has allocated an additional $15.9 million to support farmers in the state's midst of a worsening drought. This funding is on top of the $13.5 million committed in September last year. The support includes on-farm drought infrastructure grants of up to $5000, which have been extended to 13 new local government areas across the state.

Key Takeaways:

• The Victorian Government has committed an additional $15.9 million to support farmers affected by the drought, bringing the total support to $29.4 million.
• The on-farm drought infrastructure grants of up to $5000 have been extended to 13 new local government areas across the state, including West Wimmera, Horsham Rural City, and South Gippsland.
• Agriculture Minister Ros Spence has announced that over 1500 primary producers have already received support through the on-farm infrastructure program.
• Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking has welcomed the support but stated that more is needed, highlighting the need for untied grants that allow farmers to invest in their business needs.
• Farmers are in need of immediate support to cart water, future funding to help re-establish pastures and plant fodder crops, and extended funding for the Rural Financial Counselling Service.
• The National Centre for Farmer Health in Hamilton will receive a $900,000 allocation in the 2025-26 state budget.
• Regional Drought Coordinator Ralph Cotter has urged farmers experiencing tough drought and dry conditions to reach out for support, including financial grants, technical advice, and wellbeing support.

Statistics:

• $15.9 million allocated by the Victorian Government for drought relief
• $13.5 million committed in September last year
• $5000 maximum amount for on-farm drought infrastructure grants
• over 1500 primary producers supported through the on-farm infrastructure program
• 13 new local government areas added to the on-farm drought infrastructure grants program
• $4.1 million allocated for the Rural Financial Counselling Service
• $10.2m previously committed under the federal Future Drought Fund
• $900,000 allocated for the National Centre for Farmer Health in Hamilton

Sources:

• Peter Hunt, Victoria's worsening drought has prompted the Allan Government to pump another $15.9 million into farmer support, on top of the $13.5m it committed in September last year.
• Quote from Agriculture Minister Ros Spence
• Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking's statement
• Rural Financial Counselling Service
• National Centre for Farmer Health in Hamilton