Agriculture

Workshop will offer insights, strategies

FARMERS are always looking to get ahead of the game and looking for practical strategies to future proof their farm. Emissions reporting is one area that can present opportunities to local landholders. A workshop at Boort this month is aimed at...

10 Jun 2025

Money needed to bring hay into dry areas

GOVERNMENT aid was needed for hay to be delivered to Victorian farms hit by drought. Graham Cockerell, the Lions club member behind Need for Feed doing runs into disaster-hit areas, says financial contributions were needed to help Victorian farmers...

10 Jun 2025

Drought declaration ‘first step to help’

EXTENSION of the State Government’s drought zone declaration to all of Victoria was just the first step, according to farmers. Victorian Farmers’ Federation president Brett Hosking said it represented a step in the right direction as Victori...

10 Jun 2025

Olive crush given green light

A NEWBRIDGE farm shed can be used for olive processing and worker accommodation after planning approval last week by Loddon Shire Council. Officers recommended the planning permit that had one objection after adjoining landowners were told of the...

09 Jun 2025

Whammy fortnight

It’s a fight for a fair go over farmer hit, writes Brett Hosking IT’S been a really tough few weeks to be a Victorian farmer. Between a massive new tax being imposed on our rates bills in the form of the Emergency Services Volunteer Fund...

04 Jun 2025

Sawers sees chance to look outside box

NEW Goulburn Murray irrigation customer committee member Tony Sawers believes fresh and constructive input can help the water business evolve. Mr Sawers was one of four Loddon irrigators named last Thursday to the new committee following elections...

04 Jun 2025

Keep talking call as VFF says government ‘acknowledges emergency services tax pain’ with drought announcement

A 12-MONTH reprieves on farmers facing a 150 per cent hike from the new emergency services tax was acknowledgement by the Govvernment of the pain its tax had caused, said Victorian Farmers’ Federation president Brett Hoskling. Mr Hosking told the...

30 May 2025

BREAKING NEWS Drought help for all Victoria, farmers get temporary emergency services tax reprieve

THE State Government will extend its drought relief packages to all Victorian farmers. Farmers will also have their new emergency services tax capped for 2025-2026. The announcement made soon after midday says: The latest reporting from the Bureau...

30 May 2025

Irrigation indication released ahead of new season start

LODDON irrigators should start the new season with a high reliability water share of at least 25 per cent. Northern Victoria resource manager Andrew Shields updated the seasonal determinations outlook last week. “Catchment areas across northern...

28 May 2025

Politics & Council

Support from across the state for shire’s bold move against tax

Politics & Council

Support has quickly emerged across Victoria to the Loddon Shire Council’s stance against the State Government’s controversial emergency services tax. Backing from Loddon residents has been matched with calls for other councils to stand in unity...

28 May 2025

Energy companies already knocking on doors

THE proposed north-west renewable energy zone includes part of the controversial VNI West transmission line route and farm land near Boort that has had two wind turbine companies talking to landowners. Acciona on Monday said it was still “working...

27 May 2025

Renewable zone plans ‘full of contradictions’

PROPOSED renewable energy zones for Victoria released late Friday afternoon could see prime agricultural land turned into wind and solar farms. Areas within kilometres of Boort have been included in the north-west zone under the draft Victorian...

27 May 2025

News

Unite and refuse to collect: Loddon Shire on emergency services tax

News

LODDON Shire councillors have this afternoon called on all 79 Victorian councils to refuse collection of the State Government’s controversial new emergency services tax. A week after all five councillors and CEO Lincoln Fitzgerald attended the Scrap...

27 May 2025

‘Limited package’ falls short of needs, says Hosking

FARMERS have said the latest Government drought package does not go far enough to address the pressure on rural communities. Victorian Farmers’ Federation president Brett Hosking said that while any support is appreciated, “the limited scale of...

26 May 2025