The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) wrote to the Victorian Government last week urging them to provide assistance to farmers recovering from the June storm and flood event.
VFF President Emma Germano said the VFF requested government grants to help farming businesses devastated by the vicious storm event.
“Fencing, pasture rehab, road repair, new stock water pumps; these are the types of things farmers need help with.”
“Thousands of farmers were hit by the storm and ensuing floods with the damage bill running into the hundreds of thousands of dollars for many of these farmers. This warrants government assistance.”
The VFF also requested the Victorian Government make an application for Category C Relief and Recovery Assistance through the National Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) to allow the provision of relief and recovery grants for primary producers.
“I do not think the scale and impact of this disaster event has been fully appreciated. There are many farmers that have had 80 percent, 90 percent of their farm underwater, lost large numbers of stock and have had their fences wiped out.”
Ms Germano said the Government’s announcement yesterday of an Agriculture Recovery Manager was inadequate.
“The farming community is supporting each other through this difficult time, it’s time for the Government to do their share.”