Drought-stricken East Gippsland farmers demand help now

FARMERS in Victoria’s east are enduring an “unprecedented” drought as they demand urgent assistance from the state government.

FARMERS in Victoria’s east are enduring an “unprecedented” drought as they demand urgent assistance from the state government.

East Gippsland farmers have endured two failed seasons and worry that without significant rain this spring, they will be spending up to $10,000 a week to feed their animals for another year.

Some have recorded their lowest rainfall in 100 years.

Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford told the Herald Sun the government was already providing financial counselling and other support to farmers.

NATS URGE REGIONAL COUNCIL DROUGHT SUPPORT

GREEN GROUPS SAVAGE JOYCE’S DROUGHT PLAN

SCOTT MORRISON’S NEW MINISTRY WILL TACKLE DROUGHT

Giffard West farmer Trent Anderson with son Clancy. Picture: Andy Rogers

Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Ms Pulford, who visited the drought-hit region this week, said it would be up to four weeks before new drought relief was announced.

“We need the right support, in the right places at the right time and that’s what we’re doing,” she said.

“Even if the skies open, rain doesn’t mean money falls into people’s bank accounts. It will take about three to four weeks for a decision.”

Ms Pulford said she met a farmer in East Gippsland whose property had received its worst rainfall in 100 years.

Victorian Farmers Federation president David Jochinke urged the state government to work around the clock to ease the pressure.

Dollar-for-dollar grants of up to $10,000 for stock containment pens were at the top of farmers’ wish lists.

“A lot of people have made tough decisions for the past 12 to 18 months,” Mr Jochinke said. “This is unprecedented in many ways; farmers need help to take the pressure off.”

Kangaroos and deer have moved on to farmland because of the drought, adding to farmers’ woes.

Giffard West farmer Trent Anderson. Picture: Andy Rogers

Farmers have extended their bank loans to buy feed to keep their animals alive.

Ray Akers, who is organising a charity hay drive, said NSW and Queensland farmers had made the headlines but Victoria was struggling, too.

Mr Akers, of Heyfield in Gippsland, said Victorian farmers were struggling. “People drive through and see it's a little bit green but looks can be deceiving,” he said.

“To get a spring crop, it should almost be mud right now, but you can drive over paddocks because the ground is just so dry.”

Mr Akers was in South ­Australia on Wednesday buying hay to bring back to Gippsland farmers. Some South Australians were asking up to $500 a tonne for hay — which added up to almost $10,000 a week for some farmers, he said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison visited drought-affected areas in Queensland as one of his first acts in the job, with a $1.8 billion aid package announced before he took the top job.

The NSW and Queensland governments have also spent hundreds of millions of dollars helping farmers through grants and discounts on transport for feed.

[e-mail]