Future Drought Fund
Drought is likely to occur more often and for longer due to climate change. Farm businesses and their regional communities need to better prepare and plan for dry seasonal conditions.
In 2020 the Australian Government established the Future Drought Fund with $100 million a year to be provided to support farmers across the nation prepare for 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.
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 Program will deliver nine Regional Drought Resilience Plans across Victoria in partnership with local councils and regional stakeholders. Each Plan will identify the actions needed to improve regional drought resilience, and how they could be implemented.
A pilot year of the program was completed in 2021-2022 and successfully developed Plans for three regions in Victoria. The regions, defined by the Regional Partnerships, are Wimmera Southern Mallee, Gippsland and Goulburn. These plans are due to be published in mid 2023.
There are six remaining 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 EngageVic.
- Central Highlands – open 18 April – 15 May 2023 – go to EngageVic for more information
- Barwon – open 18 April – 15 May 2023 – go to EngageVic for more information
- Great South Coast – open 18 April – 15 May 2023 – go to EngageVic for more information
- Mallee – to open Spring 2023
- Loddon Campaspe – to open Spring 2023
- Ovens Murray – to open Spring 2023
A Program Facilitator is embedded in each of these regions to ensure that the Plans are informed, driven and owned by the community. For further information, or to contact your local Program Facilitator, email drought.support@agriculture.vic.gov.au
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.
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.
Further information about the Future Drought Fund and the programs is available on the Australian Government’s website.
For further information about the programs in Victoria contact 136 186 or email drought.support@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
