General News
7 June, 2025
Drought Task Force on the ground in Horsham
Members of the farming community met face-to-face with Drought Task Force member Cr Shane Sali on Wednesday, June 4, to discuss the rural community's needs as the drought continued to challenge the area.
The Greater Shepparton City Council mayor was announced as one of 14 key members of Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan's newly formed Drought Task Force on May 30.
Hosted by the Horsham Rural City Council, Cr Sali said he hoped to present the community's issues to the Task Force at its first meeting on June 6.
"I want to go to the first meeting with a list of your needs and concerns, not mine," he said.
"The purpose of this meeting is for me to meet you and listen to how the Task Force can help.
"We may not get everything we want, but we can bring your needs to the table early, and that's what I am here for."
Cr Sali said he believed agriculture was the backbone of Victoria, and without it, there was no state.
He said the message to the state government was that agriculture must be protected and supported.
"We literally feed the nation, so we need to be supported," he said.
"The Task Force is here until it rains and beyond."
The community meeting provided an opportunity for people to share their concerns about the drought's impact and any other matters challenging farmers, including mining, transmission lines, solar panels, and wind farms.
The discussion included the availability of financial support through government grants and other sources in the rural sector, as well as the red tape that often created more stress for an already challenged community.
Streamlining processes was discussed, and how that could help those applying more quickly, reducing pressure and getting money to those in need, which is then often spent locally, thereby supporting the wider business community.
Cr Brian Klowss explained in detail some of the funding available to farmers, apart from government grants and bank loans.
Mental Health was a top concern for those attending, as was the importance of morals and resilience.
While the discussion focused on personal well-being, there was also a strong sentiment about building resilient farms and funding to do so.
The $ 5000 grant offered by the government to farmers was appreciated but insufficient when feed and water had to be carted to stock, and the dollar-for-dollar criteria could be prohibitive in some cases.
Complaints about the government's website not being updated immediately after the announcement about drought relief and the Task Force were made, along with the inclusion of which municipalities, were said to have added further confusion during an already stressful time.
Generational farming succession plans were said to be becoming more difficult due to the red tape of financial institutions and banks, and so planning by families was also an added stress for farming families.
Concerns about the inequitable support from the government across the renewable sector versus the farming sector were discussed, and how a fairer community funding model should be implemented if the push for energy companies continued across the state.
A farm tour was planned for Thursday, June 5, for Cr Sali and councillors.