Community
28 May, 2025
New drought package welcome, concerns persist
A NEW drought relief package has met with tentative welcome from Corangamite Shire farmers.
The State Government last week announced a further $15.9 million in on-farm infrastructure grants to help farmers and communities over winter.
The package will continue for the existing 11 Local Government Areas across south west Victoria, including Corangamite Shire, and be expanded to another 13.
Corangamite Shire mayor councillor Kate Makin said the initial $13.5 million drought support package announced in September was a good investment in future drought resilience, but didn’t address immediate needs.
“What we keep hearing from our farmers is they have no feed, and no water,” she said.
“After a green drought last summer, the south west didn’t get the ‘autumn break’ – the early winter rainfall which usually signals the start of the growth period.
“This could put a question mark over crop and pasture yields for the rest of the year.
“We need to have serious discussions about food security, reduction in milk production, long-term impact.”
Cr Makin said council welcomed the package, but felt the funding was insufficient to address the current conditions being felt across the shire.
“Agriculture is the single largest sector in Corangamite, generating over $800 million a year and providing a third of the jobs in the shire,” she said.
“This has ripple effects through all other businesses and households in the shire.
“While council welcomes this investment from the State Government, we encourage them to consider more practical, on-ground support in the short term.”
Cr Makin also called on the Federal Government to play a part.
“Farmers need to keep farming, and this can only happen with the support of Commonwealth and State Governments,” she said.
“From experience learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary measures like Federal JobKeeper and JobSeeker were very successful in keeping businesses afloat and people in work.
“A FarmKeeper scheme based on a similar model is needed.
“Without that support we will likely see the collapse of many farming enterprises and their suppliers, contractors and other related businesses in drought-affected areas.”
Cr Makin said the Rural Financial Counselling Service had reported high levels of financial distress, along with personal relationship and family impacts.
“The combined impact of cost increases, and introduction of the new Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund, at the same time as persistent dry seasonal conditions, are adding significant levels of mental and emotional strain,” she said.
“One farmer said this morning that the $5000 available for the drought support funding is less than the additional $6000 they will have to find for the Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund in the first year – which is after their discount for being an emergency services volunteer.
“I encourage anybody who feels it’s getting on top of them to reach out to support services and know you’re not alone.”
Cr Makin encouraged anyone impacted to seek support if it is needed via the organisations listed below:
Rural Financial Counselling Service: 1300 735 578 wswrcs.com.au/wellbeing.
The National Centre for Farmer Health: farmerhealth.org.au/support-hub-victoria.
Public Health Network Western Victoria: westvicphn.com.au.
For all financial, technical and wellbeing support available to drought-affected farmers, go to agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or call 136 186.
Mental Health Services: 1800 808 284 (24 hours).
beyondblue: 1300 22 4636.
Lifeline: 13 11 14.
Kid’s Helpline: 1800 55 1800.
MensLine: 1300 78 9978.
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