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Home>Don’t miss out on drought support
| As harvest reaches the halfway mark and everyone with a link to the farming community is busy driving headers, doing repairs, watching grain prices, organising trucks and the like, it is time for a reminder that our region’s exceptional circumstances declaration expires in March next year.
Since October 2008, some minor changes to the Commonwealth and Victorian Government drought assistance have been made. Have you considered where to find out more?
“The support available ranges from financial support, to personal support and help with finding off-farm employment”, says Joanne Thomas, Drought Support Officer with Hindmarsh Shire Council.
“There are the interest rate subsidy for farming and other businesses, which is administered by the Rural Finance Corporation, and the drought relief financial assistance through Centrelink,” Joanne explains. “But there is also personal material support for household needs from utility bills to food and more through the likes of Wimmera Uniting Care, Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul, or in Nhill the Drought Resource Centre.”
To assist with decision making and planning for next year’s business cycle planning, budgeting and cash flow information can be accessed through Rural Financial Counsellors, Wimmera Development Association, DPI, Meat and Livestock Australia, WCMA and local agronomists.
“If you seek professional planning advice from your accountant, solicitor or agronomist you might also be eligible for a Professional Planning and Advice Grant available from Centrelink,” Joanne continues. “A more recent program and quite exciting opportunity is the Rural Skills Connect Program, which helps with the cost of undertaking training to help farmers or their partners seek off-farm employment.”
Other support includes Wimmera Uniting Care’s Rural Outreach Team. Stress, tension and changing emotions that may have been kept at bay before harvest started, might have stepped up a gear or two now. Joanne encourages everyone feeling the strain to take the time to call the team for support.
“I have had a few people say to me that after they contacted the team, their shoulders started to relax and they had the best night’s sleep they’ve had in a long time,” Joanne said. “It is so important not to delay approaching agencies for assistance, especially with with EC available until March just around the corner. Even if you were unsuccessful previously you may be eligible this time. The criteria or your circumstances may have changed. Drought support is available to you, your family and your business.”
Joanne is available to assist you find the right information confidentially on her mobile 0437 070 849 or by email jthomas@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au
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