WHILE the Victorian State Government has announced a Drought Taskforce and extended drought support for farmers in what many have labelled the worst in living history, critics are still seething over the premier’s persistence in retaining the new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF).


After it was reported Agriculture Minister, Ros Spence, visited the south-west last week – it is unclear why or even if she was here and who she met with – Premier Jacinta Allan’s office issued a media release, advising of a “new and expanded Drought Package – supported by an additional $37.7m in funding”.


“This will ensure farmers across our state are able to access grants of up to $5000 to support on-farm drought management improvements, in addition to financial counselling and mental health support,” the release stated.


“Recognising the ongoing impact of drought on farmers in our south-west, these payments will be increased to $10,000 across 11 council areas and parts of West Wimmera.


“The program will also be expanded to cover water carting activities and pasture re-establishment across Victoria.”


It was also announced that farmers in 24 drought-impacted local government areas – which ones, were not clarified – would pay a reduced Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) contribution – capped to the same amount they paid in 2024-25.


This would be extended to all primary production properties, meaning the ESVF variable rate on primary production properties would remain at 28.7 – the same as it was in 2024-25 – for the duration of the 2025-26 financial year.


This reduced rate will also be applied to rates notices for primary production properties automatically, without the need for claiming the rebate, after the rates had been paid.


The government’s new drought taskforce will be chaired by the premier, alongside Water Minister, Gayle Tierney and the Agriculture Minister, as well as Nationals MP, Peter Walsh, the National Centre for Farmer Health’s Sue Brumby and local Livestock Agent’s Association’s Heath Templeton.


While on the surface, the announcements were welcome relief for farmers, many were still critical of the fact that it appears the levy will be imposed on primary producers, come mid-2026.


VFF President Brett Hosking said the announcement of a pause to the levy represented a step in the right direction, it did not change the underlying problem the levy was an unfair cost shift onto farmers.


“We’ll use this extra time to continue making the case that it needs to be scrapped altogether, not simply paused,” Mr Hosking said.


And while Glenelg Shire Council voted at last week’s monthly meeting to continue its advocacy against the levy and for more drought support for its farmers, it too has come under fire for a lack of action on the current drought crisis.


Lake Mundi’s Kevin Stark said council had an obligation to its residents to factor the drought into its consideration of its 2025/2026 budget and rating plan and reduce the “unreasonable” financial obligations it was imposing on its farming residents.


“They passed a motion there to write to the State Government about the levy and write to someone about the drought … they’re telling everyone else what to do with one hand and putting the other one out to collect more money from us,” Mr Stark said.


“It’s time the council stopped pointing the finger at everybody else and took some action itself to provide help.”


Last week it was reported that Loddon Shire Council had said it refused to collect the levy from its residents, Cr Miki Wilson advising she was “happy to risk her role” as a councillor.


Casterton News asked Glenelg, West Wimmera, Southern Grampians Shire Council’s whether they were willing to follow that lead and “put their head on the chopping block” in a stance against the levy.


Glenelg Shire Mayor Karen Stephens said councillors could not refuse to collect the levy because “they can sack us”, Southern Grampians Shire advised its position had already been outlined in a previously-issued media release, stating “The new ESVF is legislation and we will continue to advocate o (sp) behalf of our community”, but did not answer the question. West Wimmera Shire did not respond.


Glenelg Shire Council’s budget is now available for final review and feedback, before its adoption at the June council meeting.


Hard copies are available at shire customer service centres.