A total of $37.7 million has been announced, in addition to the $15.9 million package announced in mid-May, which extended the $13.5 million drought support package announced in September 2024.
Across the state, farmers will be able to access grants of up to $5000 to support on-farm drought management improvements.
A Look Over the Farm Gate mental health and wellbeing grant program will also be available statewide.
The additional support was announced on Friday, May 30.
In response, Strathbogie Shire Mayor Claire Ewart-Kennedy said while council acknowledged the decision to expand drought aid, it remained concerned that farmers continued to receive only the minimum level of support available.
“Our farmers are facing extremely difficult conditions,” Cr Ewart-Kennedy said.
“Feed supplies are critically low, hay reserves are running out, water storages are depleted and the cost of transporting feed is skyrocketing.
“Producers are paying up to $20,000 per load just to bring in hay from interstate.
“For many, this is simply not sustainable.”
While $5000 is on offer for all local government areas across Victoria, 11 LGAs, as well as parts of West Wimmera, are eligible for grants of up to $10,000 as part of the Victorian Government’s On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants.
Cr Ewart-Kennedy said the shire needed formal acknowledgment of the severe impacts of drought it was facing.
“While we welcome the funding announcement and see it as a small win, we remain deeply disappointed that drought has not been declared,” Cr Ewart-Kennedy said.
“What the state government is doing is dividing communities by selectively recognising crisis.
“Drought doesn’t stop at shire borders and neither should financial relief.
“Good farmers, good people, are being forced to make heartbreaking decisions just to survive.”
