Additional drought support to help rural communities

The State Government said the $4.8 million drought support package is aimed at assisting rural communities in Tasmania. It will include support measures for farmers including mental health, business advisory and animal welfare services.

Despite the wet weather, the funding is designed to complement the recently extended financial drought assistance available to eligible farmers across the state who have dealt with a tough season.

Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jane Howlett, said the package was in response to calls for support for farmers and their families who were having to make difficult decisions during the dry.

“Agriculture is a huge part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, and I will always back our Tasmanian farmers, producers and our rural communities - that’s why we are delivering this program of support during these tough times,” Minister Howlett said.

“These additional measures will help provide the services and support needed now and assist to build long-term drought resilience across our State.”

Key elements of the support package include:

-$175,000 to Rural Business Tasmania for additional advisory services to assist farmers to apply for and access government drought support grants and programs and connect to the Rural Financial Counselling Service;

-$200,000 for Rural Alive and Well to contract more counselling support for farmers;

-$150,000 funding to TasFarmers to expand their community drought coordination and preparedness activities on King Island and onto Flinders Island and mainland Tasmania to facilitate drought response and recovery as required.

-$275,000 funding in livestock animal welfare services for Biosecurity Tasmania to expand their animal nutrition and welfare outreach services to key dairy and livestock producing districts, along with expanded animal welfare monitoring.

Additionally, the funding covers initiatives that focus on long-term drought resilience and water security including:

- $1.5 million for the Bass Strait Islands Water Resilience Program, which includes new water storage and infrastructure rebates.

-$1 million for regional drought plan implementation, including to leverage additional funding from the Australian Government; and

-$1.5 million for additional sailings and, if achievable, fodder relief for the Bass Strait Islands and the mainland of Tasmania.

“I am also pleased to see recent reports that the Australian Government has agreed to review the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES) for the Bass Strait Islands,” Minister Howlett said.

“I again call on them to increase support for southbound feed and fodder to mainland Tasmania during this time.”

Rural Alive and Well CEO Lee Whiteley said the additional support would extend services to the farming community which had been reaching out to services providers like RAW.

“We have seen a steady increase in demand for our services and we welcome the additional support to help our rural communities at this time,” Mr Whiteley said.

TasFarmers CEO Nathan Calman also welcomed the additional investment in drought support.

“Today’s announcement should provide confidence to the State’s primary producers that the Government values their contribution to the State’s economy and wishes to support producers through the current dry conditions,” Mr Calman said.

“TasFarmers will use these funds across the State to expand their community drought coordination in a practical and targeted way.

“As the State’s peak advocacy body for agriculture, we have been actively working with government to ensure they are aware of the current pressures being felt by primary producers so that the correct supports can be offered.”