WIMMERA farmers have welcomed a range of drought relief programs announced this week by the state government.
Premier Daniel Andrews Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford, and Water Minister Lisa Neville announced a drought support package on Sunday and Monday.
The package for drought-affect communities includes:
- $150,000 to extend the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline to Wartook Valley.
- $1.1 million for standpipes across the Wimmera.
- Business case for a Wimmera weather radar.
- $220,000 for Mental Health First Aid training..
- $270,000 for additional Rural Financial Counsellors.
- $1.2 million for road maintenance.
- $300,000 from the State Schools Relief program to provide families with uniforms, shoes and other school items.
- $960,000 to support kindergarten participation.
- $1.5 million for a Drought Extension Program to help farmers make necessary on-farm decisions.
- $5.8 million from the Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund to ensure students don’t miss out on these experiences
Birchip Cropping Group chief executive Chris Sounness said it was excellent to see Mr Andrews spend time in the region, talking to different communities.
“The money is for immediate things that will happen straight away, so they have created a road map for the next couple of months,” he said.
“The money is good support for communities – any assistance is appreciated.
“It’s now about working through the details behind the announcements and implementing everything.
“It is the implementation that makes a difference on the ground.
”They can’t make it rain, but they can think about what services the state government can deliver.”
Mr Sounness said harvest was now under way in most of the Wimmera.
”Some areas are slightly better while others are slightly worse,” he said.
“Farmers will finish on their worst paddock, so while they might be in a good paddock at the moment, they know the worst is still to come.
“That’s the economics of harvest.”
West Wimmera Mayor Annette Jones said she hoped there would be more announcements to come.
“The possibility of a rate rebate has been flagged with us as an area that we should pursue on behalf of the drought-affected members of our farming community,” she said.
“We can also anticipate that many businesses across our shire will experience a reduction in their incomes because of the season.
“The effects of these dry conditions are going to be felt right across our communities.”
Victorian Farmers Federation president Peter Tuohey thanked Mr Andrews for listening to the plight of farmers struggling with another failed season.
“We have been calling for assistance on what has been a dire two years in particular for grain growers in the Wimmera and Mallee, so it is pleasing to see our state government listening and taking action,” he said.
“The $1 million drought employment package is strongly supported by the federation.
“In previous drought years, natural resource management employment programs have provided benefits for farmers and farm workers as well as the environment.
“As farmers gain a better handle of what the season outcomes look like, there’s likely to be additional demand for rural financial counselling and support.
“Money to boost support to the counselling service will be essential to making sure there is someone there to talk to when farmers need it.”
Mr Tuohey also welcomed the fast-tracking of water projects to support communities dealing with ongoing dry conditions.
