Mond

Tuesday, 24 October 2006

STATE DROUGHT PACKAGE A HELP

The State Government drought package announced on 23 October 2006 will help country Victorians grapple with the worst drought on record, according to Nationals Member for Benalla, Bill Sykes.

Dr Sykes said, “After some small funding announcements over the past few weeks the State Government has now allocated $114 million for measures such as:

• $5,000 rebate on water bills for irrigators who receive less than 50% of their water entitlements;

• A $36 million drought employment scheme with priorities on water projects and support for farmers to fence stock in containment areas for drought feeding;

• A $1,500 one-off cash grant for businesses to retain apprentices;

• Mental health programs and support of community activities;

• Fast tracking of road upgrade programs.

Dr Sykes continued, “I am also optimistic that the Federal Government will broaden the Exceptional Circumstances (EC) declaration this week to include all primary producers in EC areas and to make assistance easier to access eg by less restrictions on ‘off farm’ income or assets”.

Dr Sykes said that it is critical that access to the drought assistance measures be immediate and that red tape is minimised so that emotionally stressed people are spared further unnecessary stress.

Dr Sykes concluded, “These assistance measures will need to be added to as the drought progresses. The Nationals continue to call for $20,000 cash grants for affected farmers and other rural businesses as well as freight subsidies for fodder.

“I will continue to liaise with Local Government and local communities to ensure that specific community needs are addressed.”

Editors: A point to ponder… Why should farmers have to ‘take to the streets’ (as they did last week at the water rally at Shepparton) to get the Victorian Government to act?

Media contact: Bill Sykes (03) 5762 2100 or 0427 624 989