No drought funding for Moira Shire

Mr Drum told the Herald Sun he thought the deal "was official" and that "I should have kept my mouth shut".

Moira Shire Council responded by saying that agriculture was the engine room of the local economy and it was confident the funding would be approved.

“Our local farmers are hurting from a combination of drought, higher input costs and market uncertainty,” the statement read.

“It’s in these times that our local business, community and council unite to support each other, but we can’t shoulder the load on our own — we need assistance from outside the shire and in particular from the other levels of government.

“We are confident that the funding will be approved in due course.”

This development is after the council was originally told it was not eligible because it did not have the required percentage of population engaged in the agricultural workforce.

Moira Shire Council will hold a drop-in session for people to learn more about drought support and other assistance programs at Numurkah Visitor Information Centre on Thursday, November 14, from noon.