Council
30 May, 2025
“Farmers need cashflow”...Moyne Mayor plea
MOYNE mayor Cr Karen Foster has called on the federal and state governments to amend the definition of a natural disaster to include significant drought events.
At a council meeting earlier this week, the mayor received the full support of fellow councillors to urge government to amend the natural disaster definition so that drought events, such as that currently experienced across south-west Victoria, would be included.
If successful, this would provide the required financial and resource assistance to those experiencing hardship and/or distress.
The mayor said the motion was prompted by the farmer-led Drought Relief Roundtable she attended last Monday with Moyne Shire’s chief executive officer Mark Eversteyn at Deakin University, Warrnambool.
“While droughts are considered a natural hazard, our state and federal governments do not generally define them as natural disasters like fires or floods,” Cr Foster said.
“A natural disaster declaration would open up opportunities for lump sum payments, short-term income support and other grants and loans that are currently not available to our farmers.
“At this week’s roundtable discussion, we heard that the most urgent need farmers have right now is cashflow.
“While we may not be able to get the water flowing, we may have a chance at getting some cash flowing to our farmers and to our regional economy.”
Cr Foster said she was grateful for the support of her fellow councillors for this motion and their leadership.
“We will make immediate representations to the state and federal governments to make this amendment.”
