Cattle producers across regional Victoria are set to benefit with the Andrews Labor Government announcing $3 million in funding for the highly sought after Cattle Underpass Scheme (CUPS) – all made possible through the lease of the Port of Melbourne.
Treasurer Tim Pallas made the announcement on a dairy farm in South Gippsland and encouraged producers to apply for the grants, with funding available from December this year.
Dairy and beef farmers around Victoria can apply for grants of up to $50,000 to enable them to move stock across their property unhindered by dangerous road crossings, particularly during peak milking times.
Cattle underpasses improve safety for all road users, and boost workplace safety for farmers, their families and employees.
Underpasses also increase farm efficiency by reducing the time it takes to move stock and remove impediments to the expansion of dairy farms and the growth of our internationally competitive dairy sector.
This will be the sixth round of the CUPS program, which was initially established by the former Bracks Government in 2000. Since then, some 500 cattle underpasses have been built with a clear demand for more to be constructed.
The Victorian Farmer’s Federation will administer the scheme with funding provided to enable them to effectively manage the program delivery and promote it to farmers.
This project is being funded through the Agriculture Infrastructure and Jobs Fund (AIJF), a fund made possible through the lease of the Port of Melbourne. AIJF is investing in projects across rural and regional Victoria that drive economic growth, create jobs and boost the productivity of our food and fibre sector.
Quotes attributable to Treasurer Tim Pallas
“We said that leasing the port would allow us to fund the essential infrastructure our primary producers need to run safe, productive businesses – and this is a clear example of exactly that.”
“Agriculture remains at the very the heart of our economy, employing over 190,000 people across the supply chain and remains a powerhouse on the domestic and international stage – which is why we’re helping our farmers with the infrastructure they need to get their produce quicker from paddock to port.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020