Farmers say state government’s $18m drought support package a ‘drop in the ocean’

While farmers have welcomed an $18m drought support package, they say more help is needed.

South Australian farmers have welcomed an $18 million drought support package from the state government, but say that more needs to be done.

Farmer Andrew Zanker from Laura in the state’s Mid North said the investment was a step in the right direction, but it was a lot less than what was needed by struggling farmers.

“I think $18m is possibly a drop in the ocean as far as our businesses go, but it’s a very, very important step in the right direction,” Mr Zanker said.

Andrew Zanker at his farm. Picture: Ben Clark

“We’re shown support, it doesn’t get people out of trouble, but it does help to know the government is out there supporting in every way they can.”

The package includes a range of support measures including grants for on-farm drought resilience infrastructure, mental health and community support, and funding to enable donated fodder to reach more communities.

Also in the Mid North, Gladstone farmer Andrew Kitto said the fact the government had come on board was a good thing, but it had been a reactive approach.

“Even though Australia is in general having a good season, South Australia is just missing out,” Mr Kitto said. “The government’s reacted fairly quickly, after coverage and farmers speaking up, by holding working group sessions around the regions.

“But that $18m is over the whole state and just in our small regions, that’s about 10 per cent of the lost economy. It’s a significant loss to the state’s economy.

“But I think the mental health side of things, the town community events, is really good.”

Mr Zanker said the investment into charity freight costs was also significant, not only for farmers to receive fodder, but for farmers to know there’s someone out there to lend a hand.

“I’ve recently been involved with a hay run here in Laura,” he said. “Some of the people involved said that small farmers in New South Wales took some hay into Queensland too.

“The hay for the livestock would last a few days, maybe a few weeks, but the thought and the friendship that came out of it lasted a long time. Just to know that someone is out there helping is really important too.”

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said she was regularly speaking with producers and industry groups to ensure targeted, effective drought support like this support package.

“The feedback from the Drought Advisory Group and regional drought roundtables has been very valuable in understanding the range of challenges being experienced and identifying priority areas for support, which have been included in this package,” Ms Scriven said.