The Tasmanian government has announced a series of initiatives to support farmers, regional communities and employment initiatives.
Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the government was committed to doing everything it could to make sure the state’s agricultural industries flourished, including support for families.
“In some cases it has been a productive start to the season, but others are doing it tough with dry conditions, and we are taking action,” Mr Rockliff said.
“We are working with the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) and other industry representatives to ensure farmers are best placed to respond to short and long term challenges,” he said.
He said there would be a $2.2 million extension to the subsidy for new irrigation electricity connections
“Under changes to the national rules, the charges for irrigation electricity connections were set to increase substantially from 2017,” Mr Rockliff said.
“But the Tasmanian Government’s continuation of the existing 75% subsidy in up-front connection costs will mitigate this, with an additional $1.1 million to be made available each year for two years from 2017-18.
“This means Tasmanian farmers can plan ahead and invest in on-farm irrigation confident that the up-front connection costs will continue to be low and thereby help them to make the most of the growing opportunities in Tasmania.”
A $44,000 feed and fodder register was being set up, through the TFGA.
“TFGA will immediately reinvigorate its state-wide fodder register and move to a wholly online service with farmers able to enter and edit details themselves,” Mr Rockliff said.
“Over the longer term the TFGA will look at improving future access to fodder across industry and partnerships to potentially provide emergency fodder sources.”
Mr Rockliff said counselling services, provided by Rural Alive and Well, would be extended to King Island.
“Rural Alive and Well is Tasmania’s only organisation providing one on one outreach support to Tasmanians at risk of suicide,” he said.
“There is ongoing demand for RAW’s fly-in, fly-out presence on King Island which has been in place since the island’s major abattoir closed and through other recent community-wide challenges.
“This critical service can continue by providing an additional $30,000 to allow an outreach worker to spend three days per month working on the island for the next year.”
In response to concerns raised by farmers, Hydro Tasmania commenced cloud seeding to increase any rainfall over the Midlands in October.
“These initiatives are on top of our $10 million AgriGrowth Concessional Loans Scheme available to assist farm and agri-food businesses with irrigation infrastructure, productivity improvements and other long-term developments,” he said.
“Aligned to the loans scheme, an additional $80,000 is being provided to Rural Business Tasmania for agri-business planning providing farmers with case studies, coaching and practical tools in areas such as managing seasonal conditions.”
A range of seasonal information, tools and support is also available through AgriGrowth Tasmania and online via the Department’s website: www.dpipwe.tas.gov.au .
“Tasmanian farmers are no stranger to seasonal conditions, and they are known for their resilience for good reason; they are at the mercy of many elements beyond their control,” Mr Rockliff said.
