Latest news with #BrettHosking
ABC News
04-07-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Rate relief, food payments and water funding in new $75m Victorian drought package
The Victorian government has announced a $75 million drought assistance package for farmers struggling through the state's long dry spell. It is the biggest and most significant announcement the government has made during this drought and includes council rate relief for farmers, with a rebate of about 40 per cent for producers in 12 of the worst-affected areas of the south-west. The funding also includes $2 million for food and grocery support, with up to $1,000 per household, $6.3 million to cover government "red tape" fees and $25 million for water management. "We've been listening to farmers and communities who do it tough," Premier Jacinta Allan said. "This support delivers real help, right now." The state's peak farm lobby group, the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) welcomed the support but said it should have come earlier. "A lot of farmers will tell you [the drought support package] has come too late," VFF president Brett Hosking said. The government has now announced a total of $144 million for farmers during the extended dry conditions. The state's south-west has been worst affected with 15 months of record low or below-average rainfall until last month. Almost $36 million will go towards rate relief for farmers in the council areas of Ararat, Moyne, Colac Otway, Pyrenees, Corangamite, Southern Grampians, Glenelg, Surf Coast, Golden Plains, Warrnambool, City of Geelong and southern parts of West Wimmera. The government says that equates to a 40 per cent rate reduction. "This isn't about dollars, it's about backing the people who feed our state and the regional communities that keep our state strong." Ms Allan said. The government has also committed $24 million to water infrastructure to better prepare for droughts. It will be used to extend the East Grampians rural water pipeline and to expand emergency water supply options, groundwater bores and domestic water access. "We are investing in both short-term solutions and legacy infrastructure to improve resilience and water security for farmers and their communities," Agriculture Minister Ros Spence said. Despite recent rain, the state is still feeling the effects of drought, with a cold winter resulting in very little growth in pastures for hungry livestock. Ararat lamb producer Charlie de Fegely said the funding was surprising and welcome news. "This is fantastic, because people are desperate for water, given the very long dry spell," he said. Mr de Fegely said a secure water supply would enable farmers to retain livestock during drought. "Tragically, breeding ewes are being sold simply because people don't have water," he said. Mr Hosking said it would take time for farmers to recover. "There is no feed in the paddock, particularly for cattle and even for sheep there is not the feed to support them in the paddock, and farmers are still hand feeding," he said. The Country Women's Association (CWA) will manage the household payments of up to $1,000 for farmers in the south-west. Catchment Management Authorities will receive $1 million to run drought employment programs, which help people receive payments while working on projects that help the environment. There is also $6.3 million for fee and duty relief, which Brett Hosking said would help, although he had questions about the details. "It's removal of red tape funding on things like biosecurity levees that you pay on the sale of livestock will hopefully be waived and I think the government is still working out the details on that one," he said.
ABC News
01-07-2025
- Climate
- ABC News
Climatologists warn higher June rainfall not enough to break Victorian drought
The skies have opened and filled rain gauges in parts of Victoria, but the drought is far from over. Climatologists say it will take long and consistent periods of above-average rainfall to end the dry stint. For farmers, the metric is both complicated and simple — the drought ends when they are no longer buying huge amounts of feed because the grass is growing again, but getting that grass growing takes more than just rain. For 15 months from February 2024, parts of south-west and western Victoria experienced their lowest rainfall on record since 1900. During that time, the south-west Victorian centres of Hamilton, Mortlake and Warrnambool hit their monthly rainfall average a couple of times, but June was the first month to surpass it. Warrnambool recorded 125.6 millimetres against a June average of 79.3mm, Hamilton had 87.4mm (June average 65.8mm) and Mortlake had 119mm (June average 54mm). But the rain has not reached further north — Horsham had 35.8mm in June, against an average of 40.8mm, continuing this year's run of below-average monthly rain. So while parts of the south-west are seeing water in their dams, some of the western district has not been so lucky. Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said breaking a drought was not as simple as seeing good amounts in the rain gauge. "I think that's one of the challenges we always face with drought compared to other natural disasters — with a fire you know when the fire has passed an area," Mr Hosking said. "With a drought … the question every farmer out there will be asking is, 'Is that good rain the end of the drought or is that just in the middle of a drought?' Mr Hosking said even if the state received record-breaking rainfall in the next week, the effects of drought were long-lasting. Grass grows slower in winter due to colder temperatures and reduced sunlight. This means it could be a while before the rainfall has an effect, Mr Hosking said. "We still don't have an end to the drought situation because what we know is that it takes time for fodder to grow in a paddock," he said. Bureau of Meteorology climatologist Qian Zhou said soil moisture remained incredibly low in south-west Victoria despite above-average June rainfall. "For regions with severe rainfall deficiency for longer than 12 months, a single rain event is not enough to end the meteorological drought conditions," she said. "Sustained periods of above average rainfall are generally required to break the meteorological drought." Ms Zhou said it was difficult to pinpoint exactly how much rainfall would be required, but soil moisture was often a good indicator as it promoted grass growth. However, she said the long-term rainfall outlook was not good for south-west Victoria. "The rainfall for the three-month period of July to September shows a slight increased chance of below-average rainfall for small parts of south-western Victoria," she said.
News.com.au
07-06-2025
- Climate
- News.com.au
‘Not gonna be OK': Cruel drought crisis grips Australian state
Farmers in Victoria are suffering through a drought-driven fodder shortage that is leaving them with no choice but to sell cattle after years of low rainfall. Hay is scarce in the state where 'worst case scenario' rainfall figures dating back to 2023 look set to continue, which have already doubled fodder prices and left land cracked and dry. Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking said the fodder crisis had reached a level 'that I don't think Australia has ever experienced before'. One farmer told last week that hay bales they sourced from NSW were being sold for $250 a round when it used to cost $60. James Knight, who runs a cattle farm at The Sisters about three hours west of Melbourne, said his fodder stocks ran out six weeks ago. 'We're definitely not going to be okay,' he told A Current Affair. 'It could very easily get worse over the next three months.' Mr Knight said hay in bale form was 'virtually non-existent' in Victoria, as he tries to feed 1350 pregnant females and 1250 young stock. He became emotional speaking about the impact the crisis had on his young family. 'I can only start to think that seeing husbands or wives that aren't sleeping or stressed would be challenging for them,' he said. 'We're very fortunate to have water at the moment … there are a heap of people who are worse off than us.' Dairy farmer Bernie Free has had to source 12 loads of water to his property since February alone, a period when he would normally bring in only two or three per year. Mr Free told A Current Affair, however, what he needed most was hay. 'We buy it off a fella that delivers it as well, and at the moment he can't source any for us,' he said. 'We need hay, and it's not available. We need the government talking to us about what the other solutions are. 'I think we're going to offload another 50 (cattle) in the next two or three weeks.' Premier Jacinta Allan recently announced her government would commit another $37.7 million to its drought support fund as the crisis deepened. It came after Agriculture Victoria revealed rainfall in May realised the worst-case scenario, with most of the state receiving just 20 per cent or less of the average typical rainfall expected in May over the past two weeks. 'The increasingly devastating effects of drought aren't confined by postcode or region – its impacting farmers across Victoria. It's why we're expanding support statewide,' Ms Allan said. 'The new Taskforce will bring together Victorians from different communities, different backgrounds and different political parties. Most importantly, it'll be focused on delivering real relief for farming communities.' Mr Hosking has been appointed a member of Victoria's drought response task force. Biosecurity concerns have made sourcing hay from other states complicated, with concerns over the green snail found in Western Australia making its way to Victoria in fodder. 'We're looking at opportunities to bring some from Western Australia, which has a whole lot of challenges amongst it, or from Queensland or looking at 'can we get it offshore?',' he said. 'There's some real critical conversations happening at the moment that have never happened before.' He said overcoming the fodder shortage would be just one step in a long road ahead for the state's farmers. 'How do they recover their pastures? How can they rebuild their farms? How can they restock stock they'd have to sell as well? 'So they're our next challenges.'
ABC News
30-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Will a Drought Response Taskforce make a difference for struggling farmers?
The Victorian State Government has announced a Drought Response Taskforce to "sit and listen" to what aid farmers need, in addition to extra funding and a pausing of the emergency services levy for drought-impacted local government areas. Brett Hosking, President of the Victorian Farmers Federation and a member of the newly formed Drought Response Taskforce, joined Mary Gearin on 774 ABC Radio Melbourne Drive to discuss how the taskforce will ensure help is delivered to farmers. Then, hear the reaction from Sheep and Cattle Farmer in Beeac Tom Alston, who is experiencing hardship as a result of the drought conditions.
Perth Now
09-05-2025
- Business
- Perth Now
Farmers, fireys unite over ‘unfair' tax
Farmers have gathered on the steps of Melbourne's parliament to protest a proposed $616m hike to an emergency service tax by the Allan government to fund public servants. The tax is set to replace the Fire Services Levy and would leave many of the state's agricultural producers, who are also volunteer firefighters, footing the bill. Dozens of fire trucks were spotted heading towards Spring St on Friday morning, causing traffic chaos across the CBD and major delays on city arterials, including the West Gate freeway, as the mob made their way from Derrimut McDonald's. Fireys, farmers and local council members continue to outspokenly oppose the new levy. NewsWire/ David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia The convoy, which was expected to be made up of more than 90 farmers, was joined by members of the United Firefighters Union. Protesters congregated on the steps of parliament, some donning cowboy hats and firefighter gear, to vent their anger. Several trucks lining the sidewalk displayed signs reading 'scrap the tax' and 'rural lives matter'. Protesters congregated outside Melbourne parliament on Friday morning. NewsWire/ David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia Many of the farmers protesting are also volunteers with the Country Fire Authority (CFA). Fireys, farmers and local council members continue to outspokenly oppose the new levy that is projected to rake in an extra $2bn from landholders. Some were reporting cost increases of 400 per cent, the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) said. The government said the median levy on primary producers would rise from $621 to $1299 per assessment, a 109 per cent increase. Many of the farmers are also volunteers with the CFA and took to the streets of the CBD to stop the 'unfair' hike. NewsWire/ David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia VFF president Brett Hosking said the 'unfair' tax hike had united the state's regional communities. 'This tax is unfair, unnecessary, and completely out of step with what Victorians expect from their government,' he said. 'This is a moment for the Victorian community to stand up and say 'enough is enough'. 'Don't burn regional Victoria with more taxes.' The controversial legislation was shelved in April due to a lack of parliamentary support. NewsWire/ David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia The controversial legislation was shelved in April due to a lack of parliamentary support, but is reportedly set to put back to a vote next week when parliament resumes. The CFA and Premier Jacinta Allan have been contacted for comment. Opposition Leader Brad Battin leant his support. NewsWire/ David Crosling Credit: News Corp Australia
