The South Australian Government has recently announced a $55 million package to provide support to drought-affected farmers and communities across the state. This package is in addition to the $18 million in initial assistance that was announced by the government in November. The design of this package was done in close consultation with primary producers, including a roundtable discussion with farmers and key industry bodies.
Currently, most of South Australia is experiencing drought conditions, with some regions seeing their lowest rainfall on record. The impacts of the drought are expected to continue for months or even years, even if the drought were to break. The new assistance measures included in this package aim to address the immediate needs of farmers and communities affected by the drought.
Some of the key components of the package include:
– $13 million for On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants to assist with projects that help manage drought conditions and strengthen preparedness.
– $4 million to assist charities with freight costs for transporting donated fodder to help farmers feed their livestock.
– Rebates for Emergency Services Levy and commercial vehicle registration fees for primary producers receiving the Farm Household Allowance.
– $2.5 million for a strategy to boost mental health and resilience in drought-affected areas.
– $1 million for Rural Financial Counselling Support.
– Additional support for rural small businesses, pest management, electronic identification for sheep and farmed goats, and upgrades to regional standpipes.
– Funding for water availability, sport and recreation clubs, regional events, country student support, and community events programs.
– $17.4 million for Future Drought Fund Preparedness and Resilience programs.
John Gladigau, Chair of Grain Producers SA, has expressed his appreciation for the government’s efforts in addressing the challenges faced by grain producers due to the ongoing drought. He commended the government for their commitment to providing targeted support to farmers and regional communities. Grain Producers SA has been actively advocating for many of the initiatives included in this package and is dedicated to working closely with the government to ensure the effective and timely delivery of these initiatives.
This package complements existing Commonwealth assistance programs such as the Farm Household Allowance, concessional loans, resilience planning, the Farm Management Deposit Scheme, and taxation measures. The government’s response to the ongoing drought crisis demonstrates their commitment to supporting farmers and communities in need.
Overall, the $55 million package announced by the South Australian Government is a significant step towards providing much-needed assistance to drought-affected farmers and communities. It reflects a collaborative effort between the government, industry stakeholders, and community members to address the challenges posed by the drought and ensure the resilience of South Australia’s agricultural sector.
