Rural Assistance Commissioner Peter Tuohey heads to southwest Victorian drought

Rural envoy Peter Tuohey is heading to drought-stricken southwest Victoria this week, with Ag Minister Ros Spence set to follow in coming weeks.

Farmers in freeze-dried southwest Victoria have welcomed a visit by the state’s Rural Assistance Commissioner, with Peter Tuohey starting his three-day trek around the drought zone on Wednesday.

The former Victorian Farmers Federation president is set to visit Casterton, Hamilton and Camperdown in the coming days, with state Agriculture Minister Ros Spence also flagging a forthcoming trip to the region.

“I know that farmers in the southwest are facing significant seasonal challenges and difficult farm business decisions which are causing financial and emotional distress,” Mr Tuohey said.

“I encourage farmers to seek out support through Agriculture Victoria’s tailored programs and services, as well as what’s available through the Commonwealth Government and industry bodies.”

Agriculture Victoria confirmed Mr Tuohey “will meet with farmers and other stakeholders and provide observations and insights into the conditions and challenges that farmers in southwest Victoria are facing to the department and minister.”

Last week, Ms Spence indicated on ABC radio she would also visit southwest Victoria but a date and location was yet to be set.

“I do intend to go down there. The Rural Assistance Commissioner is heading down (this) week for a tour of the area,” the Minister said.

“Unfortunately, I can’t join him as parliament is sitting. After he completes that, he’ll brief me on his tour findings and then I will head down after that.”

Peter Tuohey. Picture: Andy Rogers

Australian Dairy Farmers president Ben Bennett was one of the first to call for a visit from Ms Spence.

He welcomed Mr Tuohey and Ms Spence’s interest, adding it was a stepping stone to further government attention.

“It’s good news — getting the ball rolling is important,” Mr Bennett said.

“To put it in perspective about how dry it is, farm dams in southwest Victoria are usually 100 per cent full in July and August. At the moment, some farmers have dams that are only 10 per cent full — we’re talking end-of-summer levels rather than end-of-winter levels.”

Mr Tuohey was appointed Rural Assistance Commissioner by previous agriculture minister Jaclyn Symes in October 2019 to oversee a $31 million support package for the central Gippsland and northern Mallee localised droughts.

Koroit region dairy farmer Chloe Brown said it had been a challenging winter but many remained hopeful for a better spring.

“Everyone knows it’s been dry but the grass is starting to grow a bit on our farm, which is promising,” the Kirkstall farmer said.

“You don’t want to be pessimistic about the weather, things may improve in spring. If they don’t, you have a plan B and a plan C.”