- Published:
- Thursday 15 May 2025
The Allan Labor Government is continuing to back farmers impacted by drought and dry conditions, with expanded support to deliver on-farm infrastructure grants and increase resilience into the future.
Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence today announced a further $15.9 million to help more farmers and communities over winter, expanding support to farmers in 13 more Local Government Areas on top of those backed as part of the $13.5 million drought support package announced in September.
The On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant program has already supported more than 1,500 farmers in south west Victoria and will be extended to farmers in the new and existing Local Government Areas and French Island.
The package will continue for the existing 11 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across south west Victoria and expand it to all West Wimmera, Horsham Rural City, Northern Grampians, Hepburn, Moorabool, Ballarat, Towong, Mornington Peninsula, Bass Coast, Cardinia, Baw Baw, Casey, South Gippsland, and French Island
This drought package will support small businesses in impacted LGAs through the appointment of a Small Business Financial Counsellor.
Acknowledging the impacts of the dry conditions across Victoria on farmer mental health, a new program will be made available state wide to help communities come together and support farmers under stress.
The Government will extend its partnership with the National Centre for Farmer Health by investing $900,000 through the Victorian Budget 2025/26 to deliver ongoing services and resources to the farming community.
Agriculture Victoria’s farm business technical and decision-making support will also be made available state wide, supporting farmers to manage the impacts of increasingly difficult seasonal conditions.
This package brings the Government’s direct drought support to $29.4 million, on top of the $10.2 million investment through the Future Drought Fund program, and $4.1 million for the Rural Financial Counselling Service.
Agriculture Victoria will continue to monitor conditions in the critical period leading up to spring, ensuring support is getting to farmers who need it most.
This follows from the Labor Government's announcement of partial rebates on the ESVF for farmers eligible for the infrastructure grants program in the Government’s drought support package.
To view the full range of financial, technical and wellbeing support available to drought impacted farmers visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or phone 136 186.
Quote Attributable to Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence
“I've heard directly from farmers about the impact drought conditions are having on our communities – we’re continuing to back them with the support they need to tackle the challenging dry conditions across the state.”
”We’ve already supported more than 1,500 primary producers with on-farm infrastructure and now we’re expanding that support as drought conditions persist across south west Victoria and are now impacting south Gippsland and other areas of the state.”
Quote Attributable to Regional Drought Coordinator Ralph Cotter
“Farmers experiencing tough drought and dry conditions are urged to reach out. We are here to help through connecting you with the financial grants, technical advice or wellbeing support to help you navigate this difficult time.”