As Corangamite residents battle the physical, financial and emotional effects of drought, Corangamite Shire Council is exploring all avenues to support the community.
"We absolutely know that our people are hurting," Mayor Kate Makin said.
"Farmers, their families, the services, tradies and suppliers who support them, are all under massive stress.
"Council is leaving no stone unturned trying to find support to get our community through this crisis."
"We have written to both State and Federal governments and spoken to MPs at both levels urging them to declare a natural disaster and open up National Disaster Recovery and Assistance Arrangements which include funding programs for individuals, councils, and community recovery programs."
At Federal level, Council has written to
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
- Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Julie Collins
- Emergency Management, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Kristy McBain
At State Level Council has written to
- Premier Jacinta Allan
- Minister for Emergency Services, and Natural Disaster Recovery Vicki Ward
- Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence
In-person discussions have been held with Premier Jacinta Allan, Gayle Tierney and Ros Spence and Minister Collins.
"Our call for urgent action prompted the state government to establish the Drought Response Task Force which has met three times, in Camperdown, Shepparton and Ballarat.
"So far that has had a few wins, but we are looking for much more.
"An extra weight limit of 15 tonnes has been on roads so trucks can get closer to farms and save freight costs
"Fodder testing in Western Australian has been cut from 10 days to two, to get it on the road faster, and kangaroo control permits have been fast tracked.
"As part of the Victorian Government's drought support, the National Centre for Farmer Health, is offering grants up to $5,000 for eligible community organisations and groups to help communities come together and support farmers and farming families under stress."
"There is a lot more that is needed. We're asking the state government for
- zero interest loans;
- fully funded rate subsidies by the state government for primary producers;
- direct funding for councils to support programs;
- greater support for water and fodder cartage;
- mental health support; and
- expansion of the Rural Financial Counselling Service
"We and other Councils have been talking to the Federal Government about business support packages like the JobKeeper and JobSeeker programs that worked so well during the pandemic shutdowns.
"A FarmKeeper program based on the same model would keep farmers farming, with the flow on benefits for their suppliers and contractors.
"This can only happen with Federal and State government support."
Cr Makin said drought-affected farmers could get financial, technical and wellbeing support at agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or on 136 186.
