AUSTRALIA is continuing to live through one of the worst droughts in our history. Between the years 2003 and 2012, many regions in Australia were in a significant drought and since 2017, severe drought has developed again across eastern and inland parts of Australia.
As such, the Victorian State Government just last week announced drought relief funding to help farming families and communities doing it rough. The $31.6 million package will support farmers in areas hardest hit by dry conditions, particularly the Millewa region, East and Central Gippsland and the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District (GMID).
A $15 million Farmers’ Drought Fund will be established to help farming businesses and families that need it most, alleviating some of the immediate burden. The fund will provide household financial relief for families in the regions hit hard by drought, with $3 million allocated to deliver hardship payments of up to $3,000 per family.
The package also includes $2.3 million in farm business management and planning support, as well as a $4.6 million boost to fully roll-out the Catchment Management Drought Employment Program in the Millewa and GMID regions, giving farmers and their employees access to off-farm employment and training.
Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews said, “This won’t make it rain, but it will help make life a little easier for farming families doing it tough.
“At the same time, we know it’s not enough to provide immediate hardship payments and consider the job done. That’s why we’re investing in equipment upgrades, new infrastructure and training to help our farmers long-term.”
