The Allan Labor Government is backing drought-hit farmers with cash flow relief, helping them cover costs, and continue to support the local communities and families that depend on their farms.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence announced the Primary Producer Support Payments program is beginning to roll out and will provide eligible farmers with the equivalent of a 40 per cent reduction on their property rates.
Farmers in the south west have experienced the worst drought conditions in the state for more than two years, impacting their livelihoods, households and local communities.
The Government is working closely with the 12 councils that are administering the program, including Ararat, Moyne, Colac Otway, Pyrenees, Corangamite, Southern Grampians, Glenelg, Surf Coast, Golden Plains, Warrnambool, City of Greater Geelong, and the southern parts of West Wimmera.
The Primary Producer Support Payment is one of a suite of programs and services in the Government's $144 million Drought Support Package that is delivering immediate meaningful support to Victorians across the state.
This package includes waivers of livestock duties and reductions in regulatory fees and charges across PrimeSafe, Dairy Food Safety Victoria (DFSV) and Agriculture Victoria for the next financial year. These measures will deliver savings of more than $10 million for our farmers and food producers.
Agriculture Victoria is partnering with food and safety regulators, DFSV and PrimeSafe, along with livestock compensation advisory committee chairs to deliver this support.
More than 2,800 farmers have accessed the Farm Drought Support Grants and more than 490 farmers have utilised the free one-on-one technical decision-making consultations. In addition, over 120 Look Over the Farm Gate community events have been approved to support mental health and wellbeing across the state.
The Premier's Drought Response Taskforce met last week to discuss the latest seasonal, economic, and social conditions facing farmers and rural communities. The Taskforce will continue to listen to communities and monitor conditions over the coming months.
For more information on the Government's Drought Support Package for drought-impacted farmers visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or phone 136 186.
