HRCC seeking answers on latest drought fund

Published on 11 July 2025

Council is seeking answers following a Victorian Government decision to exclude Horsham from the latest tranche of drought support initiatives, announced today by Premier Jacinta Allan.

In recent weeks, HRCC has stepped up advocacy for further drought support in our region, working closely with Regional Cities Victoria through the Drought Response Taskforce.

Announced yesterday by the state government, the Primary Producers Support Payments will provide eligible farmers with an equivalent 40 per cent reduction to property rates.

“While this is a welcome package of support for drought impacted areas across Victoria, we are extraordinarily disappointed that the southern areas of our municipality have been blocked from access to vital funding support,” said Mayor Cr Ross.

In May, the government announced further funding to extend the On-Farm Drought Infrastructure package to additional impacted areas, which included West Wimmera and Horsham Rural City Council. However, some six weeks later, Horsham has been excluded from the newest drought support funding.

Cr Ross said that the confusion and contradictions around eligibility were difficult to understand. That’s why Regional Cities Victoria have backed us in advocating for expansion to the south and west areas of Horsham Rural City Council also.

“The southern grazing areas of our municipality have faced some of the driest conditions on record over the last two years. The cost of buying in feed to maintain stock levels is staggering, but the impact of reducing stock in depressed market conditions also has long term financial implications for farming families.

Whilst rain over the last few weeks has been welcome, it does not end the drought conditions on farms and ongoing support is needed until normal pasture growth can maintain stock,” said Cr Ross.

Council supports the inclusion of the southern parts of West Wimmera in the list of eligible Councils to receive the new support package and believes a similar approach is valid for the Horsham municipality.

“Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence has stated that the Government is continuing to back farmers with the support they need to tackle the challenging dry conditions across the state.

Horsham farming communities also need this support, and we now ask Premier Allan and the Victorian Government to reconsider their position and include the southern grazing areas of our municipality in the new support package,” said Cr Ross.