Farmers may be left gasping

By Elizabeth Lillis
CARDINIA farmers who are suffering under current drought conditions fear they will not be able to access exceptional circumstances assistance from State and Federal Governments.
Cardinia Victorian Farmers Federation president David Young said the likelihood of a successful assistance claim was ‘not as promising as hoped’.
Mr Young said Casey and Cardinia farming areas had not experienced two failed seasons, a key criteria for assistance.
He said a majority of local farmers are low on fodder and have had to start purchasing feed and that the additional financial burden of buying feed is likely to continue for the next two months.
Mr Young said farmers are also concerned about the availability of water for cattle and that decent autumn rains are needed for new pasture growth.
Mr Young said much of the Western Port area had experienced the lowest rainfall levels on record.
Cardinia Shire Council lodged an exceptional circumstances claim late last year and is still waiting on a formal response from the Department of Primary Industries.
Cardinia mayor Kate Lempriere said it was disgraceful it was taking so long for a response to come through.
Cr Lempriere said the drought conditions were forcing farmers “on their knees” financially and did not see the point of looking at farmers’ previous seasons successes or failures to determine the need for assistance.
“They need the help now, it’s not about what has happened before, I just want to see some action and quickly,” she said.
Cr Lempriere said she was willing to support the farming community by lobbying the State and Federal Governments.
Mr Young said he intended to meet with representatives from DPI to see what could be done about the unique local situation.
Mr Young said the criteria for assistance was geared towards areas where low rainfall years were a regular occurrence such as farming areas over the Great Dividing Range rather than higher rainfall areas like the Western Port District.
He foreshadowed a second attempt to apply for assistance in April if farming conditions continued to worsen.
Mr Young said he had begun to lobby local, state and federal politicians about the farmers’ plight.
Approximately 80 farmers attended the Western Port Dairyfarmers Second Drought Forum on Tuesday, 6 February at the Kooweerup Community Centre.
A similar number of people attended compared to the forum held in December.
Mr Young said approximately two thirds of those attending the forum were different people to those who attended the first forum.
The attendance by a different group of farmers he felt was an indicator of how many people were in trouble and looking for ways to get through the drought.
At the forum, local farmers Will Jelbart, Vikki Templeton and David Young shared their experiences of dealing with the drought conditions.
The exceptional circumstances claim was discussed along with new options for sourcing water for stock including the option of reopening the Lang Lang bore.
A Centrelink representative also provided advice on what financial assistance could be provided to farmers.
Centrelink’s rural advice line number is 13 23 16.