A new $4.8 million package of drought support measures, including for mental health, business advisory and animal welfare services has been announced for Tasmanian rural communities.
These new support measures are in addition to the recent extension of financial drought assistance for eligible farmers across the State.
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."
Additional funding includes:
- $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; and
- $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.
"In addition, complementary long-term resilience measures to improve water security and drought preparedness, as well as a provision for more support where possible to help get important feed and fodder to the Bass Strait Islands and mainland Tasmania will be introduced," Minister Howlett said.
This includes:
- $1.5 million for Bass Strait Islands Water Resilience Program:
- to identify improved water storage, reticulation, and other water security measures to meet community needs; and
- creation of a new King and Flinders Islands Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme to assist livestock producers with 25% up to $15,000 for the purchase and installation of new, or repairs to existing water infrastructure
- $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 activities 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."
Acting CEO of Rural Business Tasmania Chantal Filgate also welcomed the new measures.
"Rural Business Tasmania welcomes the additional resources to help us respond to an increase in demand from farmers and rural communities to access the financial and advisory support they need now," Ms Filgate said.
