Rate cut in Surf Coast budget ‘tip of iceberg,’ Freshwater Creek farmer says

Farmers welcoming new drought relief announced in the Surf Coast Shire’s budget are warning it won’t be enough to fix the “crisis” enveloping the region.

Farmer Simon Falkiner in a wheat crop that should be three times the height at his property in Freshwater Creek. Picture: Brad Fleet

Farmers welcoming new drought relief announced in the Surf Coast Shire’s budget are warning it won’t be enough to fix the “crisis” enveloping the region.

As part of the Surf Coast Shire’s budget for the next financial year, tabled on Tuesday night, council will consider applying a temporary reduction to the Farm Rate Land down from 75 per cent to 64 per cent, in order to relieve pressure on struggling farmers in the region.

Freshwater Creek farmer Simon Falkiner welcomed the funding, but said it was only a “token gesture,” adding that while it would partly address the number one issue, cash flow, it simply wouldn’t be enough.

“It helps address the tip of the iceberg,” Mr Falkiner said.

“The rate relief is welcome, but it’s nowhere near enough to get things back to normal.

Farmer Simon Falkiner in his dried up main dam at his property in Freshwater Creek. Picture: Brad Fleet

“When people have been spending $400k a week on fodder, although it’s welcome, it’s not really going to make a huge difference in the Surf Coast.”

Mr Falkiner runs a 404ha mixed farm in Freshwater Creek, growing winter crops and wool sheep.

He warned conditions could mean, despite recent sprinklings of rain, the worst could be yet to come.

“The next six weeks could be the most difficult period of the last 18 months, because of the lack of fodder and cold weather,” he said.

The shire has experienced 15 months of consecutive below-average rainfall since February 2024, with areas identified by the Bureau of Meteorology as experiencing severe, some totals falling within the lowest 5 per cent of historical rainfall.

Farmer Simon Falkiner in a struggling Canola crop that should be flourishing this time of year at his property in Freshwater Creek. Picture: Brad Fleet

Surf Coast mayor Mike Bodsworth lobbied on behalf of farmers in May against the state government’s proposed changes to the Emergency Services Levy

“Many primary producers are already under financial pressure at the moment due to the drought, and expecting them to bear an increased cost like this is really unfair,” Mr Bodsworth said.

“Our community is against this levy, and there is broad agreement across councils that it should be scrapped.”

The state government announced later that month that farmers would get a one-year reprieve from paying the increased levy, also being able to access grants of up to $5000 to support on-farm drought management improvements and mental health support.

Mr Falkiner called the government’s support a “joke”.

It’s expected the hike to the levy will be applied from 2026/27.

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Originally published as Rate cut in Surf Coast budget ‘tip of iceberg,’ Freshwater Creek farmer says