As farmers grapple with rapidly deteriorating conditions across the state, the Victorian Government has announced it will extend its drought package to farmers statewide.
“This funding is about ensuring that no drought-impacted community is left behind, providing immediate relief to farming families across our state,” Agriculture Minister Ros Spence said on Friday, May 30.
Over the past two weeks, most of the state received just 20 per cent or less of the average typical rainfall expected in May.
The latest reporting from the Bureau of Meteorology indicates these conditions are likely to continue into June.
These conditions have left paddocks and dams dry, with fodder prices doubled.
Due to these worsening conditions, the government will deliver a new and expanded drought package — supported by an additional $37.7 million in funding.
Ms Spence said this will ensure farmers across the state are able to access grants of up to $5000 to support on-farm drought management improvements, in addition to financial counselling and mental health support.
Recognising the ongoing impact of drought on farmers in the south-west, these payments will be increased to $10,000 across 11 council areas and parts of West Wimmera.
The program will also be expanded to cover water carting activities and pasture re-establishment across Victoria.
Agriculture Victoria’s farm technical and decision-making support has also been made available statewide, supporting farmers to manage the impacts of these increasingly drier conditions.
As part of its drought package announced earlier in May, the government said farmers in 24 drought-impacted local government areas would pay a reduced Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund contribution — capped to the same amount they paid in 2024-25.
“By capping the rate of the Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund for primary production properties, we’re ensuring farmers can remain fully focused on their drought response and recovery,” Regional Development Minister Jaclyn Symes said.
The government will deliver a further package of support in the coming weeks, informed by a dedicated new Drought Response Taskforce.
The taskforce will include:
- Regional Development Minister Jaclyn Symes.
- Agriculture Minister Ros Spence.
- Water Minister Gayle Tierney.
- Regional Victoria Parliamentary Secretary Michaela Settle.
- State Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh.
- Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking.
- Regional Cities Victoria chair Shane Sali.
- Rural Councils Victoria deputy chair Kate Makin.
- National Centre for Farmers Health founding director Susan Brumby.
- CWA Victoria president Jenny Nola.
- Hamilton and District Stock Agents Association president and stock agent representative Heath Templeton.
- NAB regional and agribusiness executive Khan Horne.
- Bendigo Bank corporate and public affairs general manager Robert Musgrove.
The taskforce will be chaired by Premier Jacinta Allan and provide advice on further help for farmers, as well as broader support for impacted businesses and communities.
The taskforce’s first meeting will be held in the first week of June, with a further package of support to be delivered as soon as possible.