Fresh drought support for farmers
The state government will invest $18 million to assist farming communities struggling through South Australia’s driest season on record.
A support package including a range of measures such as grants for on-farm drought resilience infrastructure, mental health and assistance for charities with freight costs has been announced today by the Malinauskas government.
It comes as many primary producers are experiencing their driest season on record, with leaders of three regional South Australian councils calling for support earlier this year amid the ‘beyond repair’ farming season.
The state government said its $18 million package was informed by drought round tables conducted across the state, and the SA Drought Advisory Group which includes representation from key primary industries as well as state, federal and local government.
Premier Peter Malinauskas said the impacts of drought and adverse conditions were “being felt far and wide across South Australia’s farming communities”.
“Our investments include financial assistance for on-farm infrastructure and additional support for health and wellbeing services and initiatives which unite communities.
You might like
“This significant package is also investing in farmers to drought proof their properties and grow their business resilience planning for a sustainable future.”
Assistance measures include:
- $5 million for On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants for rebates of up to 75 per cent (to a maximum of $5,000 excluding GST) that assist with projects to manage drought conditions and strengthen drought preparedness.
- $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 $5,000 for the ‘Connecting Communities Events Program’, for groups to host events that foster social connections and provide support during these challenging times.
- $4.4 million budget commitment to provide Family and Business (FaB) Mentors and Rural Financial Counsellors, who provide free confidential and independent services that link people with the appropriate assistance.
- $5.5 million funding provided to the State and Federal Government’s Future Drought Fund, which includes ongoing programs to help farmers with farm
Primary industries and regional development minister Clare Scriven said farmers were “facing incredibly challenging times right now with many experiencing their driest season on record”.
Stay informed, daily
“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,” she said.
“The feedback from the Drought Advisory Group and regional drought roundtables has been very valuable in understanding the range of challenges being experienced and identifying priority areas for support, which have been included in this package.”
Goyder Council Mayor Bill Gebhardt – who previously told InDaily that the season was the “worst ever” – said the funding was a “good start”.
But he’d like to see more targeted support for families, especially for childcare so that parents can go out and work during the day.
“The businesses in town are doing it particularly tough as well,” he said.
“It’s not just the farmers – it’s got a dual effect. The tyre shops and all the various businesses are doing it tough, as are the trucking companies because there’s no product.
“It’s a good start and we will work with the government as it unfolds.”
