Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) has welcomed the extra $75 million for the Victorian Government's drought package to assist the state's vital agricultural industry, which includes primary producer support payments for council rate relief.
Chair Cr Shane Sali, Mayor of Greater Shepparton City Council, said RCV had consistently advocated for direct relief to farmers during Drought Taskforce Response discussions.
"The state is relying on Victoria's regions for food and fibre products to boost the state's economy, that's why direct relief to farmers continues to be our priority," Cr Sali said.
Primary producers in shires of Ararat, City of Greater Geelong, Colac Otway, Corangamite Glenelg, Golden Plains, Moyne, Pyrenees, Surf Coast, Southern Grampians, Warrnambool and southern parts of West Wimmera will receive a rebate of about 40 per cent as part of an overall $144 million response package.
Cr Sali said there should be further consideration for expansion to the south and west areas of Horsham Rural City Council also.
"Our agriculture sector is the backbone of our economy. Right now, they need all the support they can get – even with recent rains there is a long road to recovery ahead for Victoria's primary producers and for the regional and rural economies that rely on them."
Cr Sali said despite the pause on the rollout of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund levy for those who are drought-affected, there was still significant angst across rural and regional Victoria about its eventual impact.
RCV has also written to the Federal Agriculture Minister and the Federal Water Minister urging the Albanese Government to expand supports for drought relief in Victoria and to request an immediate and indefinite pause on the Commonwealth's water buyback scheme while Victoria is in drought.
"Water already taken out of our regions has had a noticeable effect on farms and regional towns, however buybacks in dry years like this exacerbate existing water shortages further," Cr Sali said.
RCV is the trusted voice to government for the regions, their cities and the rural communities they support.
"We are committed to working with governments, on behalf of regional and rural Victorians, to ensure our regional cities see the right investment to support our growth," Cr Sali said.
