The Allan Labor Government is backing farmers with practical new recovery supports - including Corrections Victoria Prison Industries supplying livestock feed and on‑ground assistance to communities hit hard by recent fires.
Langi Kal Kal Prison has delivered more than 60 hay bales to Stoneleigh for distribution to local farmers impacted by recent fires - with prisoners at the minimum security facility helping to grow, cut, rake and bale the hay onsite.
This follows a further 110 hay bales provided to communities affected by the Longwood fires, helping replenish critical livestock feed reserves after paddocks and stored fodder were destroyed.
Prisons across Victoria are also contributing to local recovery efforts:
- Loddon Prison is supporting Mount Alexander Shire Council with fire recovery work in Harcourt
- Beechworth Correctional Centre has offered helped to local councils with re‑fencing and timber clearing along the High Country Rail Trail
- Landmate crews from Langi Kal Kal have commenced building new fencing in the Ripon District to help farmers safely contain livestock.
The Landmate program - run in partnership between the Department of Justice and Community Safety and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action - operates across Langi Kal Kal, Tarrengower, Beechworth and Hopkins prisons.
Under the program, supervised prisoner crews give back to the local community, supporting environmental management projects, maintaining local recreation facilities and supporting disaster recovery projects.
Landmate crews within 100km of bushfire‑affected areas will be on the ground providing recovery support over the next year.
As stated by Minister for Corrections Enver Erdogan
"Victorians always pull together in times of need and I thank Corrections Victoria for their work in supporting our farmers affected by fires this summer."
"By providing practical help on the ground, we're helping farmers get back on their feet faster and strengthening the partnerships that regional Victorians rely on."
