Council
26 June, 2025
Shire renews calls for urgent drought support
CORANGAMITE Shire Council has called for government action as residents continue to battle the physical, emotional and financial effects of drought.
Council has called for direct government intervention to support farmers through drought conditions including through zero interest loans, fully funded rate subsidies by the state government for primary producers, direct funding for councils to support programs, greater support for water and fodder cartage, mental health support and expansion of the Rural Financial Counselling Service.
“We absolutely know that our people are hurting,” Corangamite Shire mayor councillor Kate Makin said.
“Farmers, their families, the services, tradies and suppliers who support them, are all under massive stress.
“Council is leaving no stone unturned trying to find support to get our community through this crisis.”
“We have written to both State and Federal Governments and spoken to MPs at both levels urging them to declare a natural disaster and open up National Disaster Recovery and Assistance Arrangements which include funding programs for individuals, councils, and community recovery programs.”
At the Federal level, council has written to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Julie Collins and Emergency Management, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Kristy McBain.
Council has also written to State Government members including Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Emergency Services and Natural Disaster Recovery Vicki Ward and Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence.
In-person discussions have been also been held with Premier Jacinta Allan, Gayle Tierney, Ros Spence and Minister Collins.
Cr Makin said calls for urgent action had prompted the State Government to establish the Drought Response Task Force which has met three times in Camperdown, Shepparton and Ballarat.
She said advocacy has resulted in “a few wins” but much more was needed.
“An extra weight limit of 15 tonnes has been introduced on roads so trucks can get closer to farms and save freight cost,” she said.
“Fodder testing in Western Australian has been cut from 10 days to two to get it on the road faster, and kangaroo control permits have been fast tracked.
“As part of the Victorian Government’s drought support, the National Centre for Farmer Health is offering grants up to $5000 for eligible community organisations and groups to help communities come together and support farmers and farming families under stress.”
Cr Makin said more was needed, including federal support for programs which were effective during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We and other councils have been talking to the Federal Government about business support packages like the JobKeeper and JobSeeker programs that worked so well during the pandemic shutdowns,” she said.
“A FarmKeeper program based on the same model would keep farmers farming, with the flow on benefits for their suppliers and contractors.
“This can only happen with Federal and State Government support.”
Cr Makin said drought-affected farmers could get financial, technical and wellbeing support at agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or on 136 186.
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