Allan govt announces $15.9m in support as drought spreads across Victoria

The Allan Government has pumped another $15.9 million into farmer drought support, on top of the $13.5m already committed.

“We’ve already supported more than 1500 primary producers with on-farm infrastructure and now we’re expanding that support”, says Victorian Agriculture Minister Ros Spence.

Victoria’s worsening drought has prompted the Allan Government to pump another $15.9 million into farmer support, on top of the $13.5m it committed in September last year.

Access to on-farm drought infrastructure grants of up to $5000 has been extended from 11 council areas in the state’s south west, under the first round of support, to 13 more local government areas across the state.

Agriculture Minister Ros Spence said “I’ve heard directly from farmers about the impact drought conditions are having on our communities – we’re continuing to back them with the support they need to tackle the challenging dry conditions across the state.”

“We’ve already supported more than 1500 primary producers with on-farm infrastructure and now we’re expanding that support as drought conditions persist across south west Victoria and are now impacting south Gippsland and other areas of the state.”

Those new council areas include West Wimmera, Horsham Rural City, Northern Grampians, Hepburn, Moorabool, Ballarat, Towong, Mornington Peninsula, Bass Coast, Cardinia, Baw Baw, Casey, South Gippsland and French Island.

Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking welcomed the support, but feel more is needed.

“Many producers will be looking across the border, where the South Australian Government delivered $75m in drought support, and saying the grass really does look greener over the fence,” Mr Hosking said.

Rather than offering infrastructure grants of up to $5000, which farmers must match dollar-for-dollar, Mr Hosking said producers needed untied grants they gave them the freedom to invest in whatever input they needed.

He said producers needed immediate support to cart water and future funding to help re-establish pastures and plant fodder crops once it rained.

Ms Spence also announced the government would extend funding of the National Centre for Farmer Health in Hamilton, with a $900,000 allocation in next Tuesday’s 2025-26 state budget.

The state government’s support comes on top of $4.1 million to run the Rural Financial Counselling Service and $10.2m previously committed under the federal Future Drought Fund.

Regional Drought Coordinator Ralph Cotter said “farmers experiencing tough drought and dry conditions are urged to reach out.

“We are here to help through connecting you with the financial grants, technical advice or wellbeing support to help you navigate this difficult time,” he said.