Southwest Victoria drought: Agriculture Minister Ros Spence conducts farm tour

Victorian Agriculture Minister Ros Spence will head to the southwest of the state this week to see the green drought first hand.

State Agriculture Minister Ros Spence will tour southwest Victoria today ending a three months of calls from farmers to visit the green drought zone.

While new, specific cash assistance has yet to be announced, Premier Jacinta Allan recently indicated that may change if the green drought lingered into late spring.

“I will be visiting farms and communities across southwest Victoria including Bessiebelle, Macarthur, and Dergholm to hear first-hand about their experiences with the current green drought conditions,” Ms Spence said.

“Farmers and farming businesses are integral to local communities and the state’s economy and I want to assure them support is available.”

With reports of banks using ‘drought declaration’ as a means not to provide financial relief to farmer debtors, Ms Spence said it was worthwhile noting such declarations were no longer a government measure and hadn’t been for some time.

“I strongly recommend that farmers call the Rural Financial Counselling Service to talk to someone about what they are going through and what support they need,” Ms Spence said.

“I know there has been some calls for a drought declaration. Farmers do not need this to receive government or banking support. We don’t use these types of declarations anymore – so don’t wait to apply for support.”

Rural Assistance Commissioner Peter Tuohey visited the Colac and Hamilton regions last month and reported his findings to Ms Spence, with new government measures under consideration.