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 of Meteorology also indicates these conditions are likely to continue into June. Together, these conditions have left paddocks and dams dry, with fodder prices doubled.
Due to these worsening conditions, the Government will deliver a new and expanded Drought Package – supported by an additional $37.7 million in funding.
This will ensure farmers across our state are able to access grants of up to $5000 to support on-farm drought management improvements, in addition to financial counselling and mental health support.
Recognising the ongoing impact of drought on farmers in our south-west, these payments will be increased to $10,000 across 11 council areas and parts of West Wimmera. The program will also be expanded to cover water carting activities and pasture re-establishment across Victoria.
Agriculture Victoria’s farm technical and decision-making support has also been made available statewide, supporting farmers to manage the impacts of these increasingly drier conditions.
As part of its Drought Package announced earlier in May, the Government announced that farmers in 24 drought-impacted local government areas would pay a reduced Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund contribution – capped to the same amount they paid in 2024-25.
This will now be extended to all primary production properties – ensuring all farmers can focus fully on their drought response and recovery.
This will mean the ESVF variable rate on primary production properties will remain at 28.7 – the same as it was in 2024-2025 – for the duration of the 2025-2026 financial year. This reduced rate will be applied to rates notices for primary production properties automatically.
A taskforce chaired by Premier Jacinta Allan will also deliver a further package in coming weeks.
Members of the taskforce are
- Minister for Regional Development Jaclyn Symes
- Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence
- Minister for Water Gayle Tierney
- Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Michaela Settle
- Nationals MP for Murray Plains Peter Walsh
- President of the Victorian Farmers Federation Brett Hosking
- Regional Cities Victoria Chair, Cr Shane Sali
- Rural Councils Victoria Deputy Chair, Cr Kate Makin
- Dr Susan Brumby, National Centre for Farmers Health
- CWA Victoria President, Jenny Nola
- Stock Agent Representative, Heath Templeton – President of the Hamilton and District Stock Agents Association
- NAB Executive for Regional and Agribusiness, Khan Horne
- Robert Musgrove, General Manager, Corporate and Public Affairs, Bendigo Bank
