‘Abandoned’: Hume region mayors pen urgent letter to Allan Govt amid worsening drought

Twelve regional mayors are pleading with the Allan government to declare their region drought-affected, as desperate farmers reach breaking point.

Twelve regional mayors have penned an urgent letter to the Allan government requesting Victoria’s north be declared drought-affected, with the government’s new relief package labelled a “slap in the face”.

Mayors from the Hume Region, which includes Greater Shepparton, Strathbogie, Alpine, Mansfield, Moira, Towong, Wodonga, Benalla, Indigo, Mitchell, Murrindindi and Wangaratta shires, are pleading for help amid worsening drought conditions.

Despite dams running dry and farmers looking as far as Western Australia for feed, Strathbogie Mayor and farmer Claire Ewart-Kennedy says the region has been largely “abandoned” by the Allan government.

A farmers watering hole on a farm near Shepperton almost dried up. Picture: Supplied

In an urgent letter to Agriculture Minister Ros Spence, the mayors said the financial strain was becoming “untenable”, as rural communities battle a growing emotional toll.

“Livestock and cattle producers in our LGAs are facing mounting pressure due to limited feed availability, dwindling hay reserves, rising fodder and transport costs, and depleted water storages,” the letter reads.

The letter was penned prior to a new $37.7m commitment drought relief package announced by Premier Jacinta Allan on Friday, which paused the dreaded a tax hike, known as the Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund, for one year for all farmers and primary producers.

It also expanded grants of up to $5000 to farmers and primary producers across the state regardless of drought-status.

Farmers in areas declared drought affected, however, can access up to $10,000.

Farmers are begging Premier Jacinta Allan to declare a drought in Victoria’s north. Picture: Aaron Francis

April rainfall was below average for more of Victoria in April, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. Picture: BOM

But Strathbogie Mayor Ewart-Kennedy told the Herald Sun the new package was a “slap in the face”.

“They’re dividing the region,” she said.

“I’d like to see the science behind (declaring droughts) because it seems fairly subjective”.

She said farmers “can’t wait any longer” for financial relief, with dire conditions “crucifying livelihoods and communities”.

“It’s heartbreaking. Farmers are on their knees,” she said.

It comes after Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking met with Premier Jacinta Allan to warn her of a growing “disconnect” between the government and rural Victorians.

With farmers experiencing the worst drought in decades, Euroa Nationals MP Annabelle Cleeland labelled the new funding a “political stunt”.

“Labor’s latest drought package is nothing more than a political stunt tat still fails to deliver the basics our farmers urgently need like feed and water,” she said.

“With drought yet to be formally declared in our region, this looks like a calculated move to delay tough decisions and protect the Premier’s image, not support the people doing it toughest on the land.

“Farmers are facing a breaking point, with dry paddocks, empty dams, mounting debts and no clear way forward.

“Yet this city-focused government offers little more than token gestures and media spin while the crisis deepens. It’s not just useless, it’s insulting.”

Premier Jacinta Allan, however, said the government was expanding support statewide to and “delivering real relief for farmers”.

“The increasingly devastating effects of drought aren’t confined by postcode or region – its impacting farmers across Victoria. It’s why we’re expanding support statewide,” she said.

Originally published as ‘Abandoned’: Hume region mayors pen urgent letter to Allan Govt amid worsening drought