Victorian Government Offers $75 Million Lifeline to Drought-Stricken Farmers

Strategic Insights -

The Victorian state government has announced a $75 million funding package to support drought-hit farmers, bringing the total emergency drought funding to $144 million since September 2024. The new package aims to provide direct financial relief to the worst-affected farmers in south-west Victoria, as well as a range of statewide support measures. Premier Jacinta Allan said the measures respond to the issues she had heard over the past month, emphasizing that the support is about "backing the people who feed our state and the regional communities that keep our state strong." The funding package includes a 40% discount on property rates for farmers in south-west Victoria, a $1000 payment for struggling household budgets, and investments in future-proofing projects.

Key Takeaways:

  • The $75 million funding package brings the total emergency drought funding to $144 million since September 2024.
  • The majority of the funding will provide direct support to farmers in south-west Victoria, with $35.8 million allocated for a 40% discount on property rates.
  • The discount will be administered directly by local councils, with the discount amount dependent on the rateable value of the property.
  • Families in affected areas will be eligible for a $1000 payment to support struggling household budgets, administered by the Country Women's Association.
  • The funding package includes investments in future-proofing projects, including the extension of the Mininera or East Grampians Rural Pipeline and the development of a new regional sustainable water strategy.
  • The government has also committed to eliminating administrative fees for farmers and providing financial relief to those with cashflow issues.
  • Agriculture Victoria will freeze indexation on its 2025-26 biosecurity fees and charges and work with its livestock biosecurity compensation fund advisory committees to waive biosecurity fees.
  • An extra $5.9 million will extend free farmer support services for a further 12 months, including technical decision-making support, mental health services, and farm debt mediation.

Statistics:

  • $75 million: The amount of new funding announced for drought-hit farmers.
  • $144 million: The total emergency drought funding since September 2024.
  • $35.8 million: The amount allocated for a 40% discount on property rates for farmers in south-west Victoria.
  • $1000: The maximum payment for struggling household budgets.
  • $9.5 million: Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water's current investment in the Mininera or East Grampians Rural Pipeline, which will be raised to $15.6 million.
  • $30.6 million: The amount required from federal funding for the pipeline extension to proceed.
  • $750: The number of extra properties that will gain access to the pipeline extension.
  • 10: The number of extra towns that will be covered by the pipeline extension.
  • 34: The number of new hydrants that will be installed as part of the pipeline extension.
  • 66: The number of firefighting tanks that will be installed as part of the pipeline extension.
  • $3 million: The amount allocated for upgrading and installing access points in the Emergency Water Supply Point network.
  • $3.5 million: The amount allocated for researching alternative water supplies and measures to improve local waterway flow in western Victoria.
  • $1 million: The amount allocated for off-farm employment opportunities for drought-affected farmers.
  • $6.3 million: The amount allocated to eliminate administrative fees for farmers.
  • 2025-26: The year in which Agriculture Victoria will freeze indexation on biosecurity fees and charges.

Sources:

  • The Courier Mail, "It's about backing the people who feed our state."
  • State government press release, "Victorian Government provides $75 million to support drought-affected farmers."