Drought relief arrives as $18m support package announced
Leaders across the Murraylands had been calling out for support, and the state government has answered.
The state government will finally provide assistance for farming communities affected by drought, with an $18 million investment announced on Tuesday.
To help the many primary producers experiencing their driest season on record, the support package will include grants for on-farm drought resilience infrastructure, mental health and community support, and funding to enable donated fodder.
State Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Clare Scriven said farmers were feeding not only our state, but the nation and the world.
"But (they) are facing incredibly challenging times right now," she said.
"I am regularly speaking with producers and industry groups to ensure the state government is providing targeted, effective support and that is exactly what these measures provide."
Assistance measures will include:
- $5 million for on-farm drought infrastructure grants for up to 75 per cent of the cost of projects that manage drought conditions and strengthen drought preparedness, to a maximum of $5000
- $2 million to assist charities with freight costs to transport donated fodder to assist farmers with feeding livestock
- $1 million for additional health and wellbeing support through the Rural Financial Counselling Service and Family and Business Support Program
- $100,000 for grants of up to $5000 for a Connecting Communities Events Program, for groups to host events that foster social connections and provide support during these challenging times
- $4.4 million to provide family and business mentors and rural financial counsellors, who provide free confidential and independent services that link people with the appropriate assistance.
- $5.5 million in funding for the state and federal government’s Future Drought Fund, which includes ongoing programs to help farmers with farm business resilience planning, climate tools and demonstrating more resilient farming practices
Mid Murray Mayor Simone Bailey welcomed the announcement, having advocated for state government support for charities like the Rapid Relief Team, which provided livestock pellets to drought-affected farmers at a Farmers Community Connect event at Mannum on Friday.
"The state government announcement to put money towards fuel just means more of the money can go back into the feed so we can get more here," Ms Bailey said.
In total, 11 semis delivered 250 tons of livestock pellets on Friday – enough to support more than 170 farmers, 166,000 sheep and 4500 head of cattle.
Around 40 volunteers helped famers grab their allocated bag of pellets.
"The process allowed farmers to drive in and collect their pellets ... then they would send them to park and come back to get a burger and chat," Ms Bailey said.
"Lots of conversations between farmers around the table were life-changing, for people to realise they're not alone."
- More information: pir.sa.gov.au.
Livestock SA welcome the package that provides $8.1 million in new funding for livestock producers.
Livestock SA Chair, Gillian Fennell said although this is good news but the $5000 cap on infrastructure is prohibitive for some livestock producers.
“We accept that under the national drought agreement, direct fodder. and freight subsidies are no longer available, but think the government’s decision to allocate funding towards assisting charities to deliver donated fodder to those most in need will prevent it going to producers in other states.”
“The package is a good start and we look forward to continuing to work with the government to provide advice about ongoing assistance as it may be needed,” she said.
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Shadow Minister for Regional South Australia, Nicola Centofanti MLC agrees that the package may be too little, too late.
“It should not have taken this long to address what has clearly been a dire issue for our regions."
“The measures announced this week include grants for drought infrastructure however many simply do not have the capital on hand to commit to projects and access the funds.”
“While we welcome any support farmers can get - $18 million is only a small fraction compared to the impacts on revenue across our regions, during these exceptional circumstances.”
“The Government has had multiple talk-fests and this is the best they can come up with," Ms Centofanti said.
Ms Centofanti is calling on the Government to outline further stages of support to farmers.
The announcement also comes three weeks following member for Barker Tony Pasin, call out for a fuel subsidy during Aussie Hay Runners inaugural trip into South Australia.
Mr Pasin said organisations delivering feed to livestock in drought impacted regions were donating their time, fodder and heavy vehicles for the task.
“Regions of our State are experiencing the driest conditions on record and our livestock producers are struggling as fodder prices soar with quality feed becoming increasingly difficult to find.”
“Getting fodder to where it’s needed is no small task and the organisers of various hay runs do an amazing job to support our Aussie livestock producers in times of drought,” Mr Pasin said.
Coorong district experiencing driest conditions in 100 years
Meanwhile, the Coorong council has reported that the district is experiencing its second-driest season in a century.
Many croppers would not harvest sufficient seed, council staff reported, meaning they would not be able to cover the cost of seeding next year's crops.
Recouping the loss would potentially take years.
Broader community impacts of the drought conditions include agricultural job losses, low income for farming households, higher production costs, declining land conditions and multiple overhead costs.
In turn, rural communities' mental health was pressured with the testing time at hand.
Councillors voted to set aside $8000 for drought support activities and opportunities.
