Kangaroo control streamlined for Victorian farmers facing drought
Victorian farmers will be able to control kangaroos on their properties more quickly as part of further state drought support.
Premier Jacinta Allan told the Victorian Country Hour on Friday the kangaroo control permit process would be reduced to less than a week.
"We know that kangaroos are coming in and putting some extra pressure on pastures," she said.
"The aspiration is to change [permit approvals] to less than one week.
"We'll be looking at offering some rebates to help manage this."
Farmers have voiced frustration about a slowdown in kangaroo management under the Allan government.
The premier said kangaroos were having a negative impact and more control assistance was needed.
"We've got to do it humanely, we've got to look at how it can be done through non-lethal control mechanisms, but it's got to be done," Ms Allan said.
The Victorian government's drought task force met for the first time in Camperdown in the state's south-west last week.
A second meeting was held in Shepparton, in northern Victoria, on Friday.
Despite welcome rain across the state last weekend, conditions for many farmers have remained dire.
The government has also announced a temporary drought freight transport network expansion in Victoria's south west.
"This is getting the bigger trucks closer to the farm gate, increasing the tonnage of those trucks that can use the local road network," Ms Allan said.
She said some restrictions would be relaxed as a temporary but necessary measure.
"It's just another way we can defray time and cost and pressure on our farmers," she said.
Biosecurity measures around fodder coming from interstate will also be streamlined.
The Victorian Farmers Federation has been contacted for comment.
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Her family has farmed here for five generations, but said this drought was "unprecedented" for the district. "Definitely my dad, my grandpa, their generations can't remember a season like it, and they've got a few years in their memory that stick out as bad drought years," she says. Alison Henderson is a fifth-generation farmer. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) The reality of the drought is clear from above. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) Alison Henderson is hoping her sustainable practices will future-proof her business. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) She is among the next generation of Australia's farmers, and despite having to sell off part of her flock and spend additional money on feed, she is hopeful for the future. She is breeding Poll Merino sheep that are more resistant to drought. "I love these genetics because what we've seen is growth rates, despite of the drought conditions, have been the best we've ever seen," she says. "In the good times they're able to consume that feed and store that energy in their body as body condition and during tough times like this, they've still got that body condition that they can utilise and it means also that we don't have to feed them as much because they are able to utilise what they're eating better." Children play in the mud kitchen at the school. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) Back at Orroroo Area school, many students are also a part of the next generation of the town's farmers. Children play in the sandpit Orroroo Area School. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) While they play in the sand with miniature animals and trucks, their parents and families are working hard to survive. Children playing in the sandpit. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) For those about to graduate, the transition is much closer to the horizon. "I guess growing up that's always been the thing 'oh yeah I'll just go back and work on the farm'," year 12 student Cooper Shackleford says. "But it's getting to the point now where it's almost like 'well am I able to make a living off the farm and is it going to be able to support the family that's already there plus more people coming on?'" Ashby Thomas wants to go into agronomy when he finishes school, but when he did work experience at a business last year he saw another impact of the drought. "There was no work on at all because there had been no rain to get the crops up so hopefully there'll be rain soon but there's not a lot of work around for that type of business," he says. Peter Usher says the town will be relieved when proper rains hit. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) Cooper Shackleford is in year 12 and has bright hopes for the future. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) Ashby Thomas is is Year 12 and wants to get into agronomy when he finishes school. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) But the most obvious answer to what is needed is simply rain, and lots of it. There was good news in Orroroo and across much of drought-affected Australia last weekend when vast areas experienced downpours. While it wasn't enough to break the drought, locals say every drop helps restore their faith in the region's future. School principal Peter Usher said the town will be celebrating when big rains finally arrive. ( ABC News: Che Chorley ) Principal Peter Usher says when it rains, he'll give his students the chance to celebrate. Earlier this year, a moment of rain caused huge joy, despite its brief appearance. "I know that when we get rain, because we will, it will be truly a celebration," he says. "I'm really looking forward to seeing how beautiful the area is when we do have rain and the crops are growing because everyone's described that to me. "At the moment they're all, not apologising, but they're saying this is not normally Orroroo, we normally have some rain." Credits: Reporting: Leah MacLennan Words: Leah MacLennan and Jessica Haynes Digital production: Jessica Haynes Photography and drone imagery: Che Chorley Additional reporting: Will Hunter Additional images: Will Hunter, Peter Usher and Grant Chapman Editing: Sara Garcia
