A Gippsland livestock producer has urged the Victorian government to join NSW in taking up an offer of more Federal drought funding .
Angus Zilm, Pearsondale, said the NSW and Commonwealth governments were providing funding under the On-Farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate scheme, for the installation of pipes, water storages and pumps, de-silting dams, and power supplies.
Under the NSW scheme, farmers can claim up to $25,000 for costs incurred from July, last year.
Mr Zilm said a similar scheme should apply in Victoria, as it would also encourage irrigation projects.
“A large amount of Victoria is still in drought and it is only getting worse,” Mr Zilm said.
He questioned when Victoria would implement the same scheme for the state’s farmers.
He told Water Minister Lisa Neville farmers in south and east Gippsland were struggling through a one in 100 year drought, with just 343 millimetres of rain falling at East Sale in 2018.
That was less than 60 per cent of the yearly average rainfall and there had been a very dry start to 2019.
“There is more dirt in the paddocks than grass, the cattle are skinny and its very disappointing,” Mr Zilm said.
There is more dirt in the paddocks than grass, the cattle are skinny and its very disappointing.
- Angus Zilm, Gippsland cattle producer
“We are in a livestock area and there are so few livestock here.”
He said schemes, such as the one being applied in NSW, would make a tangible difference to farmers.
“Through this rebate, business owners will be incentivised to invest in new water infrastructure projects that will allow farmers to be better prepared for future droughts.”
Along with individual farming businesses, local services would also benefit directly, from the rebate.
“Agriculture businesses that then employ local people, would shop and live locally in rural towns, resulting in an endless flow on in economic benefits,” he said.
“Victoria has wonderful access to reliable water and has the potential to be the main food producing state in the country, both for people and livestock.”
“It would be massive, there is so much more potential for developing the irrigation schemes we have in East Gippsland.
The region had three reliable main rivers and the Macalister Irrigation District.
He said such a rebate had the ability to encourage farmers to invest in new technology.
“There’s lots of land that’s under developed, or developed for flood irrigation, and that’s a high use water application.
“Spray irrigation, centre pivots and lateral irrigators are so much more effective.
He said best practice spray irrigation technology would allow for both dryland farming to be converted, or inefficient techniques to be upgraded.
“Both will allow irrigation water to go further and result in less wastage,” Mr Zilm said.
“If they could produce a base level of fodder production, even in poor seasons, and it would reduce the need to destock or buy in feed.”
That would free up feed for other farmers and reduce the need to transport it to the region.
Infrastructure upgrades
Bengworden superfine wool grower Allen Sheridan said he had just spent $15,000 upgrading infrastructure on his property.
“If that sort of money had been available six or eight months ago, when we put in new troughs, pipes and cleaned our our dams, it would have been very nice to get a bit of help.”
“If that were to be made retrospective, I would be in full agreement with it,” Mr Sheridan said.
“I think it would be a great idea, if it could happen.”
He said he wasn’t aware of any government subsidy schemes, “but we generally paddle our own boat.”
Orbost beef producer Peter Honey, Jarrahmond, has renovated dams on his property – now all he needs is rain.
He said he had used the money to clean out, and renovate, two dams on the property. “When a lot of the dams were put in, the machinery wasn’t very good, but now they can get down deep and find the clay,” Mr Honey said.
“When they are finishing the dam, they line it with clay.”
The funding was made available under the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Support Grants scheme, which provides up to $5000, on a dollar basis.
He said the dams had now been sealed and would no longer leak. “We’ll be ready for the next drought,” Mr Honey said.
But he said he was buying in water for his stock. “We’ve had some summer showers, at Orbost, which have produced a bit of green pick.
“We need a good rain event to put water into the dams and soak the soil.”
He said any projects, which had a long term effect on improving infrastructure, would be helpful, not only for present owners but for future farmers.
“With climate change, we are going to see weather events where we get a lot of rain and none for a long time,” he said.
He praised the work of the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning, whom he said had promoted the scheme well.
He said he had reduced his stocking rates on the 385hectare property, from 600 breeders to about 230.
“We’ll bounce back, there’s pregnant cows, ready to calve in March.”
Sheep and cattle producer Tom Gannon, Nicholson, said there would be benefits from both increased subsidies for irrigation and drought proofing.
He said he had a small irrigator, which covered a few hectares, but had found it a costly use water to grow grass.
While irrigation could be used for a fodder crop, the cost could sometimes outweigh the benefits.
“A rebate would be of benefit to many farmers, in my situation, but I couldn’t see myself going doing that track.”
East Gippsland was affected by seasonal conditions.
“We are turning off more store stock than fat cattle, but for some people it would help enable them to turn off prime animals.”
Joint support
Gippsland Federal Nationals MP Darren Chester says all levels of government needed to do more to support local drought-affected farming families.
Speaking after a tour of drought communities, and a meeting with Victorian Farmers Federation representatives, Mr Chester said he was concerned the level of assistance being provided was not matching the high level of need in the community.
Mr Chester has written to the Prime Minister and the Agriculture Minister to repeat his call for a whole-of-government approach to the drought, with a focus on reducing costs for farmers in Gippsland.
“While the Federal Government has already taken a lead role with the Farm Household Allowance and a range of other measures, the drought has quickly worsened in our region and the level of assistance will need to be increased if we are going to support our farming families during these difficult times,” Mr Chester said.
“It is very clear that more needs to be done to reduce red tape and assist families.
“In some parts of the region, farmers are telling me these are the worst conditions in 100 years. Many families are now struggling to maintain breeding stock and meet every day costs such as municipal rates, wages, stock feed and household expenses.”
More funding
Meanwhile, the Victorian Government said it would be applying for funding, under the Commonwealth’s expanded capital component of the National Water Infrastructure Development Fund.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development minister Michael McCormack said the more than $1.3 billion nationwide investment would enhance water security and unlock the huge economic potential of rural and regional Australia.
“The Coalition Government knows that if our regions have access to secure water our towns prosper and our agricultural industries thrive. That is why this Government is investing in water infrastructure heralding a new era for our regional communities and our regional economics,” Mr McCormack said.
“We are not afraid to put our regional communities first and deliver the water infrastructure they expect and deserve – but it is essential for state and territory governments to get on board, to ensure projects are delivered.”
Victorian Water minister Lisa Neville welcomed the new fund and called on the Commonwealth to back projects, it had refused in the past.
“Victoria will apply for funding towards projects in Werribee, Bacchus Marsh, East Grampians and Mitamo, which we are already supporting as part of our $2.4 billion investment in rural water security,” Ms Neville said.
“Victoria has a solid plan to deliver water infrastructure grants for farmers, and we will always consider new measures and partnerships for water security.”