While farmers across Cardinia Shire, Hills and Casey will avoid a controversial emergency services levy increase for one year, it’s not the “relief” that will save them completely.
Victorian AgriFutures Rural Women’s award winner, Dr. Mary Cole welcomes the relief but warns the cost of drought lasts long after support ends.
“It is usually too little but better than nothing,” the Garfield resident said.
“Farmers need to be supported to stay on the land in these increasingly difficult climate conditions.
“Farmers do not have the capacity to pay further costs. We may be the ones that use services but I ask the city dwellers to support the part of the community that allows them to live comfortably in their city houses.”
Dr. Cole describes Australian farmers as “the most efficient in the world because they do not have access to subsidies that are offered in other countries”.
“Farmers work seven days a week to provide food for people who live in the cities,” she said.
“We pay increased costs for fuel, electricity, water like everyone in urban areas but are then expected to pay even more to produce food.
“NSW farmers are losing homes, stock, vegetables while in Victoria we are suffering drought. Cattle in this area are being fed by walking the roadside. We cannot sell because no one is buying. Where is our income in these conditions?”
Eastern Victoria MP Renee Heath is also concerned “the government is enforcing a crushing tax” rather than “practical support”.
“Despite the coalition warning the Government that this tax could push farmers over the edge financially, mentally and personally, they rammed it through parliament anyway,” she said.
“They are now pausing it for 12 months for some farmers, but this is a woefully inadequate and almost insulting. The Government needs to scrap the tax altogether. That is exactly what the Liberals and Nationals will do if elected in 2026. The Premier has admitted it’s an unfair tax. Her own backbench MP’s have said they don’t support it.
“We are in a severe drought, the government should start asking what they can do to support farmers, rather than demanding more from them.
“What farmers need the government to talk to them about is subsidised water for crops and livestock, financial help with fodder and transport, energy cost relief especially for irrigation and storage, and mental health support to them carry emotional load.”
As part of the state government’s expanded Drought Package announced on 30 May, the government has committed $37.7 million to support farmers, including $5000 grants for drought management, access to mental health and financial counselling, and statewide technical support from Agriculture Victoria.
This move was triggered by the worsening dry conditions and failed “autumn break” across Victoria. Weather data shows most of the state received only 20 per cent or less of the average May rainfall, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning that dry conditions are likely to persist into June. Together, these conditions have left paddocks and dams dry, with fodder prices doubled.
A temporary freeze on the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) levy will also keep it at the 2024–25 rate of 28.7 for the 2025–26 financial year. The relief, originally planned for 24 drought-affected LGAs, now extends to all primary production properties.
GippsDairy Board Chair, Sarah O’Brien said it’s “heartening to hear that the Premier is now prioritising agriculture”.
“What we do know is each day more farmers are reaching critical levels of no water on farm. This package will allow subsidies for water cartage,” she said.
“Farmers may need further support in guaranteeing water supplies, depending on how long until we get substantial rain.
“The 1:1 Technical decision-making support is always welcomed on farm. This support will help farmers to access specialists and continue to strategically plan forward. While the package the Labor government will provide may bring relief and hope to farmers, this drought will continue until it rains.
“Farmers see this package as a first step to getting back on track. When the rain comes, farms will have other pressing issues that will need focus. As the drought unfolds we look forward to working with the newly created Drought Task Force in what ever capacity we can to share farmer experiences.”
Mayor Cr Jack Kowarzik said “Cardinia Shire Council welcomes the Victorian Government’s decision to hold the variable rate for primary production properties at 2024–25 levels for the coming financial year”.
“Council has previously expressed concerns about the impact the new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) will have on our community, especially local farmers, and we’re pleased that the Victorian Government has listened to concerns from the community and the local government sector and has not increased the variable rate for primary production properties for the coming financial year,” he said.
“As Council will be required to collect the levy on behalf of the Victorian Government through the annual rates notice, we are continuing to seek clarification from the government on the level of financial support it will provide to councils to administer the increased levy.
“We look forward to seeing what support will be provided to administer and collect this levy and to help us respond to increased community questions, concerns and enquiries.
“While this levy will be collected by Council on behalf of the State Government, we remind our community that this is not a Council charge.
“Council encourages ratepayers who are experiencing financial hardship to contact Council to discuss options.”
