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Drought Information for Victoria

Changes to Exceptional Circumstances (EC) declarations in Victoria - update April 2011

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On Thursday 17 March 2011, the Australian Government's Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry announced the Expiry of Exceptional Circumstances-declared areas (March)

This means that the following areas are no longer EC declared from 1 May 2011:

  • Central and East Gippsland

On Friday 25 February 2011, the Australian Government's Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry announced the Expiry of Exceptional Circumstances-declared areas.

This means that the following areas are no longer EC declared from 1 April 2011:

  • Mallee-Northern Wimmera
  • Central Victoria North
  • Central Victoria South
  • Northern Victoria
  • North East Victoria

More detailed information on these areas, including a map, is available from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Food and fibre producers who have concerns about their finances, should not simply rely on a self-assessment of their situation. It is recommended that they should talk to their professional business advisor, a Rural Financial Counsellor or Centrelink to help them assess their situation and take appropriate action.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry's EC webpages has a range of relevant information.

Investing in the future

More than $400 million in drought support has been made available to the farming community since 2006, through initiatives such as:

  • the Farm Improvement Grants,
  • the Drought Retention Apprenticeship Bonus,
  • drought agricultural extension services and more.

The state government is still investing in the agricultural sector through the $205 million Future Farming strategy and in rural communities through the $631 million Ready for Tomorrow blueprint.

WA drought pilot

DPI is observing the progress of new Federal Government drought policy measures being piloted in Western Australian.

As the pilot continues, the Victorian government will assess the pilot's implications and future opportunities for Victorian farmers.

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