30-05-2025
Victorian government backs down on emergency services levy for farmers
The Victorian government has backed down on a plan to slug the state's farmers with a more expensive emergency services levy after heated protests.
It has also pledged $37.7 million in additional funding for farmers experiencing extended dry conditions.
The drought funding announced today increases infrastructure grants to $10,000 in 11 council areas and parts of West Wimmera.
The $5,000 grants are now available for all farmers across the state.
The government said the support program would also be expanded to cover water carting and pasture re-establishment across Victoria.
It will also cap its Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) levy at the 2024/25 rate for all primary production properties across the state for the coming financial year.
This is the third drought announcement by the Victorian government since September last year.
Earlier this month, the government announced $15.9m to expand its drought infrastructure grants to include farmers in 11 council areas in the state's west, centre and parts of Gippsland.
The original $13.5m program provided the grants to farmers in 13 council areas in the south-west.
More to come.
