Local farmer and Victorian Farmers’ Federation Cardinia Branch president David Young and
By Elizabeth Lillis
FARMERS in Cardinia and Casey will be able to access drought assistance for the next six months after Federal Minister for Agriculture Peter McGauran declared interim Exceptional Circumstances (EC) on Friday.
Victorian Farmers’ Federation (VFF) Cardinia Branch president David Young said he was “very happy” the droughteffected area would finally receive some assistance.
The interim EC covers the shires of Cardinia, Casey, Baw Baw, Yarra Ranges, Southern Gippsland and Bass Coast.
“Farmers now have to make applications and access the help,” Mr Young said.
He said assessments would continue to see if the local area was eligible for full EC status.
In making the announcement, Mr McGauran said he encouraged farmers and small business operators not to selfassess but to contact Centrelink or the Drought Assistance Hotline on 13 23 16 to discuss their eligibility for assistance.
He said farmers in South and West Gippsland could now apply to Centrelink for six months EC income support.
Small business operators with up to 100 employees and who derive at least 70 per cent of their income directly from agriculture are also eligible to apply for assistance.
Cardinia Shire mayor Kate Lempriere said she was very happy the hard work by many, and lobbying for the assistance had finally paid off.
“It is the best news,” she said.
“I’d particularly like to thank (McMillan MP) Russell Broadbent for his efforts in lobbying for the assistance.”
Cr Lempriere said she had committed $500 from her ward funds to the local VFF branch to assist farmers with training to help them complete the applications for the assistance.
Mr Young said the VFF’s Cardinia branch was investigating holding information sessions after Easter.
“We will be looking at holding sessions to assist people with completing the forms,” he said.
“It is important people get the forms in as soon as possible as payments are backdated to the date of the application when assistance is granted.”
Victorian Agriculture Minster Joe Helper welcomed the decision, saying the interim assistance meant farmers and farmrelated businesses were also eligible for state drought assistance measures.
