Jaclyn Symes announces drought-fund boost
The Victorian Government’s $50 million Agriculture Workforce Plan has received minimal interest, state minister Jaclyn Symes has conceded as she steps up drought aid for farmers.
VICTORIA’S drought fund ceiling has been raised by the state’s agriculture minister today, as farmers readjust after the long dry.
Jaclyn Symes made the announcement at an online address with the Rural Press Club this afternoon, with the On-Farm Drought Resilience Grant Program to rise from $5000 to $10,000.
The agriculture minister said the changes would mean farmers could use up to $5000 for farm business planning activities and $5000 for drought infrastructure investments.
“Farmers in drought-affected areas who were also impacted by fire will be able to reapply for a grant if their previously funded investment may have been destroyed or damaged,” Ms Symes said.
Ms Symes said the Farm Machinery Grant Program would also been extended to allow more farmers in the Millewa region to access these grants of up to $10,000.
She did not say whether the fund would be extended outside the Millewa, which is located in Victoria’s drought-hit northwest corner.
On the issue of agricultural workers, Ms Symes conceded the State Government’s $50 million Agriculture Workforce Plan — announced earlier this month — has so far received minimal interest.
“It hasn’t been as popular as we thought it would have to be,” Ms Symes said.
But she said industry had managed to fill many gaps from within the local workforce.
Ms Symes gave an example: a Shepparton laundry service whose staff were affected by the downturn but had managed to secure work with SPC.
While she was “not hearing about massive workforce shortages” in the sector, the Government’s service remained in place.
Mr Symes also flagged that changes to allow producers to sell at the farmgate were being considered, while work was also underway on developing “virtual farmers’ markets.”
Meanwhile, the Municipal Association of Victoria is calling for council elections statewide to be delayed from the scheduled October poll until sometime next year, due to coronavirus restrictions.
Ms Symes said that was a matter for Local Government Minister Adem Somyurek.
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