New Drought Support Initiatives - October 2007

The Victorian Government announced a number of new drought initiatives on October 24 and 26. View the original media releases.

To view the Adobe Acrobat files below, you will need the Adobe Acrobat Reader (external link).

Farming Information
Financial Assistance
Water
Community Support
Counselling and Personal Support

Farming Information

• On-Farm Productivity Improvement Grants (PDF 26kb) - This initiative will provide grants of up to $3,000 that will assist in the management of drought.

• Additional Extension for Decision Support (PDF 23kb) - This initiatative will provide technical advice and information to farmers using the services of experienced DPI extension staff and other key service providers.

• Drought Apprenticeship Retention Bonus (DARB II) - DARB has been extended to the 2007-08 financial year. DARB supports the retention of apprentices employed in businesses that are located in Exceptional Circumstances (EC) areas and that derive the majority of their income from servicing primary producers.
  • The DARB II overview (PDF 24kb) contains more information.
  • The DARB II FAQ (PDF 33 kb) provides questions and answers in more detail.
  • See the full list of occupations (PDF 20kb) covered by DARB.
  • Please use the following application form (PDF 76kb).
  
  
• Rebate for Fixed Water Charges 2007-08 (PDF30kb) - Rural water users receiving less than 40% of their normal entitlement as at 1 December 2007 will be eligible for rebate.

• Rebate for Fixed Water Charges 2007-08 (PDF 30kb)- Rural water users receiving less than 40% of their normal entitlement as at 1 December 2007 will be eligible for rebate.

• Pumping of 'Dead Water' in Waranga Basin (PDF 24kb) to provide additional irrigation water to the Goulburn system.

• Drought Relief for Community Sport and Recreation Program (PDF 25 kb)
  Provides grants to help local communities maintain local community sport and develop sustainable approaches to water management of sports grounds and other sport and recreation facilities.

• Synthetic Surfaces Program (PDF 23kb)
  Will provide funding for strategically placed and targeted “drought proof” playing and training surfaces to allow a regional sporting competition to continue regardless of availability of water.

• Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Drought Employment Program (PDF 24kb)
  Will offer employment to farmers, farm workers and rural Victorians in drought-affected areas.

• Providing Support to Industry Development Organisations (PDF 26kb)
  This initiative will provide one off drought assistance project grants for self help organisations.

• Drought Relief Tourism Marketing Campaigns (PDF 23kb)
  This inititative will expand existing tourism brand marketing and tactical marketing campaigns for the most severely drought affected regions of Victoria.

• Local Government Drought Coordinator Program (PDF 24kb)
  Will offer selected councils funds to appoint a Drought Coordinator.

• Emergency Volunteer Support Framework (PDF 27kb)
  Will provide practical help to the many Victorians and local community organisations providing voluntary emergency relief in communities who are suffering as a result of the drought.

• Business Transitioning Program (PDF 23kb)
  Information events for businesses and business counselling to non-farm businesses.

• Planning for Change (PDF 25kb)
  This initiative will support industries and local communities to identify consequences of drought and to deliver solutions to local challenges.

• Rural Skills Connect (PDF 29kb)
  This initiative aims to build and maintain business capability in regional Victoria through addressing skills gaps.

• Small Towns Development Fund (PDF 24kb)
  Assists communities in small towns with funding for projects.

• DHS is strengthening the existing drought response by providing more specialist mental health services in rural Victoria - Mental Health Early Intervention Teams (PDF 23kb).
  
  
• DHS is strengthening the existing drought response by providing more counselling services (PDF 26kb) in rural Victoria.
  

• The Sustaining Community Wellbeing program to prevent and reduce emotional and mental breakdown as a result of drought.