South west drought support package

Financial support for drought-affected farmers in south west Victoria

On Monday 30 September 2024, the Victorian Government announced a $13.53 million package to support farming communities affected by the drought in south-west Victoria.

Since early winter 2023, farmers in the south west have been dealing with significant rainfall deficiencies. This has increased financial stress for farm businesses and regional agribusinesses along with mental health stress. In response to the seasonal, social and economic conditions, the Victorian government is providing additional support.

The drought support package will enable targeted support services to focus on local government areas where conditions are most impacting farmers and communities:

• Ararat
• City of Greater Geelong
• Colac Otway
• Corangamite
• Glenelg
• Golden Plains
• Moyne
• Pyrenees
• Southern Grampians
• Surf Coast
• Warrnambool
• West Wimmera (southern half – postcodes 3312, 3317, 3318 and 3319)

The Drought Support Package includes:

On Farm Infrastructure Grants Program

• The $12.1 million On Farm Infrastructure Grants Program aims to strengthen drought preparedness activities and on-farm infrastructure.
• Eligible farmers will receive up to $5,000 as a co-contribution grant that will support activities including water infrastructure upgrades (e.g. pipes, tanks, troughs, dams), stock containment areas, and grain and fodder storage.
• This program will open soon.
• To register interest in the grant program email drought.support@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Technical decision-making support

Additional technical, wellbeing and financial decision-making support will be provided to ensure farm businesses have access to tailored advice through one-on-one consultations, webinars, workshops, field days, and boosted online tools and information.

Drought one-on-one advisory service

About the program

Drought-affected farmers in eligible LGAs can register for the one-on-one advisory program as part of the Drought Support Package.

The program offers eligible farmers the opportunity to sit down with a consultant to discuss the best way forward for their business in the current season.

It includes a drought management planning session of up to 3 hours and follow up call to develop a Drought Management Action Plan.

The planning session aims to:

• identify key business and farm risks, stress and/or pressure points
• conduct feed and/or water budgets, or other analysis
• explore options and trigger points for the short, medium and long term, e.g. whether to de-stock or lease
• provide referrals to other support services where relevant.

When registering for the program, participants can indicate their preferred consultant from a list of experienced service providers, verified by Agriculture Victoria. To apply, you will need to show eligibility (farm address), your Australian Business Number (ABN) and contact details.

How to register

• Register an expression if Interest by filling out this online form.
• Choose 3 farm advisors from the list of approved service providers in the online form, indicating your preference in order from 1 to 3.
• Submit your completed form.

If you have difficulty accessing the online form, email drought.support@agriculture.vic.gov.au

For more information

More information about the Program, including eligibility guidelines, is available by emailing drought.support@agriculture.vic.gov.au or by calling 136 186.

A dedicated regional drought coordinator

The regional drought coordinator will work with local councils, Victorian Government departments, local water corporations, catchment management authorities, local health services and industry service providers to make sure support is reaching the people that need it, when they need it.

Support to continue the Rural Financial Counselling Service wellbeing counsellor

• The Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) wellbeing counsellor will work directly with impacted families and tailor wellbeing supports to their individual needs.
• If neglected, the risks of short-term worries becoming long term health issues increases.
• RFCS Victoria West wellbeing counsellors work hand in hand with their financial counsellors to ensure that the mental health of clients receives as much attention as their financial position.
• Support is free and confidential.
• To connect with RFCS Victoria West. You can also call 1300 735 578 or email admin@wswrcs.com.au.

The Drought Support Package builds on the existing support already available to farmers across the state to prepare for and respond to drought.

This includes workshops and field days being delivered each week, a comprehensive archive of practical information on the Agriculture Victoria website including technical resources and tools and calculators to assist with matters such as forward planning, feed budgeting and livestock management.

Since early autumn, Agriculture Victoria has had a consistent presence on the ground and has delivered over 200 tailored events in the south west region relating to the seasonal conditions, engaging over 4,000 farmers, industry members and service providers.