THE Mitchell Shire Council will write a letter to Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence to extend eligibility for $10,000 grants to Mitchell Shire farmers operating in the division of Nicholls.
The resolution was carried unanimously at last Monday night’s council meeting, with Councillor Timothy Hanson making an impassioned plea to help farmers with fodder transport.
“My motion is that Council write a letter to the Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence MP, requesting drought support and eligibility for $10,000 grants and fodder transport costs also be allowed in the drought funds criteria, and this be extended to Mitchell Shire’s farmers operating in the division of Nicholls who are suffering from abnormal drought conditions,” he said.
“Some of the farmers are having to ship in rye straw from interstate and supplement fodder to keep their stock alive, and it’s just not acceptable.
“Farmers are one of the biggest lifebloods of the state of Victoria, especially in the Mitchell Shire across the Nicholls zone which takes in the north ward through to the central ward. We need to get behind the farmers, it’s as simple as that. These people won’t put their hands out, they’re not the types that do, so this is what we have to do, help people who put the food on our tables.”
Cr Nathan Clark seconded the motion, and said he urged farmers to apply for the grants.
“Grant funding for anything is usually limited in what applications you can have. I would like to see it expanded, not just the amount of the funds, but what also might be considered. I can tell you $5000 does not go very far at all, and $10,000 is just entry level. I’ve also noticed some of the trucks moving feed around, it’s not exactly the best quality-looking feed too. People are clearly desperate,” he said.
“While there are grants out there, I absolutely encourage the community to apply for them. If you want to look at what mechanisms you put out there for drought-proofing, infrastructure you can get, if you’ve been putting something off, make your contribution with the grant funding, and execute your plans.”
Cr Bob Humm was another who spoke up, utilising his own experiences and those who he considered key people in the Shire to support the motion.
“I support this. I’m on a small farm myself, and I was one of the lucky ones that bought all my feed early in the piece and don’t have a lot of stock on the property. But I don’t see this as a conflict of interest to myself, there are major players in the division of Nicholls through our Shire that are doing it pretty hard. Some are spending in excess of a half to a million dollars and importing interstate. You cannot get fodder in Victoria at the moment,” he said.
Council have offered a range of services for enhanced drought support on their website, including offering occasional counsellor training workshops for people who work with farmers and in agricultural communities for building skills to recognise stress and building communication techniques.
Sessions will be held on Tuesday, July 8 in Seymour, and an online session on Wednesday, July 23.