The Andrews Labor Government is helping farmers across Victoria manage and prepare for the effects of ongoing drought and dry seasonal conditions.
Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes today visited the mixed irrigation and dryland farming property of Frank Deane at Wahring, near Shepparton, to see how water infrastructure supported by the Labor Government’s almost $45 million drought support package is making a difference.
Mr Deane used an on-farm drought infrastructure support grant to improve water management and efficiencies on his farm – installing a solar pump, desilting a dam and installing a bore.
This infrastructure has improved the security of stock and domestic water on Mr Deane’s farm, ensuring more water can be captured and stored when it does rain, and the farm business is better able to cope with the challenges of dry seasonal conditions into the future.
The Labor Government’s on-farm drought infrastructure support grants provide up to $5,000 to help improve the long-term preparedness of a farm business for managing drought and dry seasonal conditions.
The program has been a huge success among Victorian farmers, with more than 3,400 applications received since it began late last year.
Farmers experiencing dry seasonal conditions in North and North-West Victoria, as well as those experiencing drought in East Gippsland and Wellington shires, can also access funding to improve farm water infrastructure through the on-farm emergency water infrastructure rebate scheme.
The joint State and Federal Government program provides a one-off 25 per cent rebate up to $25,000 for the purchase and installation of on-farm water infrastructure that addresses animal welfare and improves resilience to drought.
These and other grant schemes, along with more than 190 technical workshops on drought preparedness and financial literacy, are being delivered through the Labor Government’s drought support package.
For more information about drought support and to apply for funding, visit .
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes
“We’re thrilled that since October, more than 3,400 on-farm infrastructure grant applications have been received to help Victoria’s farmers manage the impact dry seasonal conditions and drought have on their livelihoods.”
“While farms around the region have welcomed rain this week, it’s not a magic bullet. Our drought preparedness and support package is making sure farms can capture and retain more water when it does rain, so their farms can thrive through drier conditions.”
“I would urge farmers impacted by drought and dry conditions to visit the Agriculture Victoria website, and apply for the support that’s available to them.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020