United Dairyfarmers of Victoria president Bernie Free said the package was an insult to farmers in south-west Victoria facing the worst drought conditions in memory.
“They have extended the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant program that was announced for south-west Victoria last September to farmers in other local government areas, but there’s nothing new for those farmers affected by drought who have already applied for the grants,” Mr Free said.
“You’ve got to have the matching $5000 to spend on infrastructure. If you’re in drought and struggling to feed animals, you’re not going to have $5000 to spend on infrastructure.
“It’s just ridiculous.”
The On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grant program, which has already supported more than 1500 farmers in south-west Victoria, will continue and be extended to farmers in West Wimmera, Horsham Rural City, Northern Grampians, Hepburn, Moorabool, Ballarat, Towong, Mornington Peninsula, Bass Coast, Cardinia, Baw Baw, Casey, South Gippsland and French Island.
Northern Victoria and most of the north-east have been excluded.
“There’s nothing in there for us in south-west Victoria and we are in a worse situation than what we were six months ago,” Mr Free said.
Acknowledging the impacts of the dry conditions across Victoria on farmer mental health, a new program will be made available statewide to help communities come together and support farmers under stress.
The government will extend its partnership with the National Centre for Farmer Health by investing $900,000 through the May 20 state budget to deliver ongoing services and resources to the farming community.
But Mr Free said mental health was a core business of the government.
“They should be doing it anyway. It’s not an extra during drought — how dare they put that in the drought package. They are being disingenuous to rural communities.”
He also criticised State Member for South West Victoria Jacinta Ermacora for using an old photo of their meeting to promote the new package on social media.
“That photo was taken on April 8 and she hasn’t been in contact with me since then,” Mr Free said.
“She’s trying to pretend she knows about what’s happening with the drought now but they won’t visit us; they won’t talk to us.
“I was told to be nice and go through the right channels and look where that has got us — nowhere.”
Ms Ermacora’s office was contacted for comment but has not responded. The photo was later removed from Facebook.
Mr Free said the drought situation in south-west Victoria had worsened significantly in the past two weeks.
He said farmers needed an interest rate subsidy which could bring cash flow so businesses could buy feed and keep stock alive and practical support to help with day-to-day survival.
“People say you can sell your cattle today and in two years’ time you’ll have calves coming into your herd and you’re away.
“I know from practical experience that when you sell stock you shouldn’t sell, it took me five to six years to get back to where I was.”
In a statement, Agriculture Victoria said it would continue to monitor conditions in the critical period leading up to spring, ensuring support is getting to farmers who need it most.
Victorian Agriculture Minister Ros Spence said she had heard directly from farmers about the impact drought conditions were having on communities.
“We’re continuing to back them with the support they need to tackle the challenging dry conditions across the state,” Ms Spence said.
”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.”
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.
