Future Drought Fund
Recognising that drought is an enduring feature of the Australian landscape with significant economic, social and environmental impacts, in 2020 the Australian Government established the Future Drought Fund (FDF). The Fund provides $100 million a year in secure, continuous funding for drought resilience initiatives that help farms and communities prepare for the impacts of drought. The Victorian Government is partnering with the Australian Government to deliver two programs, the Farm Business Resilience program and the Regional Drought Resilience Planning program.
The Victorian Government is partnering with the Australian Government to deliver two programs, the Farm Business Resilience program and the Regional Drought Resilience Planning program.
Farm Business Resilience program
The Farm Business Resilience program provides farmers with the opportunity to develop a plan for their farm business. Participants will improve their skills and knowledge to better prepare for and manage risk, adapt change and strengthen their farm business’ resilience.
For more information on the Farm Business Resilience Program, visit the Farm Business Resilience Program web page.
Regional Drought Resilience Planning program
The Regional Drought Resilience Planning (RDRP) Program is delivered in partnership with state and territory governments. Working collaboratively with local councils and regional stakeholders, the Program will deliver nine Regional Drought Resilience Plans across Victoria.
A Program Facilitator is embedded in each of these regions to ensure that the Plans are informed, driven and owned by the community. Each Plan will identify the actions needed to improve regional drought resilience, and how they could be implemented.
As there is no one-size-fits-all approach to building drought resilience, the Program supports regions to develop drought resilience plans that reflect their own regional landscapes, communities and economies. The Program supports regions to embed the science of resilience, adaptation and transformation, and learn from each other throughout the planning and implementation process.
The Plans are community-owned and led – with their development involving local governments, regional organisations, the agricultural sector and local Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs. They build on existing planning, identify actions to prepare for future droughts, and draw out regional needs and priorities to inform future investment, including small grants to kickstart actions identified in their plans.
A pilot year of the program was completed in 2021-2022 and Regional Drought Resilience Plans were successfully developed for the Wimmera Southern Mallee, Gippsland and Goulburn. These Plans are published and now available through the Commonwealth’s Future Drought Fund pages.
- Wimmera Southern Mallee Drought Resilience Plan
- Gippsland Drought Resilience Plan
- Goulburn Drought Resilience Plan
There are 6 regions of Victoria that are currently working to develop a Plan through place-based engagement and consultation. As each region’s Plan of themes and actions is drafted, it will be opened for public consultation on EngageVicDraft plans for the following regions were made available public consultation in April 2023. These plans are under final review with a view to publication late in 2023.
Draft plans for the following regions were made available public consultation in April 2023. These plans are under final review with a view to publication late in 2023.
- Central Highlands – consultation closed – EngageVic has more information
- Barwon – consultation closed – EngageVic has more information
- Great South Coast – consultation closed – EngageVic has more information
After being impacted by flood events in 2022, three remaining regions of Victoria are currently working to develop a Plan through place-based engagement and consultation. These plans will be made available for public consultation late in 2023.
- Mallee – open for feedback until 10 December 2023
- Loddon Campaspe – open for feedback until 10 December 2023
- Ovens Murray – open for feedback until 10 December 2023
Following the development of Regional Drought Resilience Plans across Victoria, Agriculture Victoria will continue to work with local councils and regional stakeholders to implement priority actions identified in the Plans.
For further information, or to contact your local Program Facilitator, email drought.support@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Drought Research and Adoption Program
The Drought Research and Adoption Program will support networks of researchers, primary producers and community groups to enhance drought resilience practices, tools and technology. Eight Hubs across Australia have been funded for four years.
Agriculture Victoria is a member of the Victorian consortium, led by the University of Melbourne, that will host the Victorian Hub.
For further information visit the Vic Drought Hub website or email info@VicDroughtHub.org.au.
Further information about each program will be published on this webpage as it becomes available.
More information on the Fund from the Australian government is available on Future Drought Fund.
For further information about the programs in Victoria contact 136 186 or email drought.support@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
