It’s the state government’s biggest drought support package yet, but the opposition says it’s only a “starting point”

The state government has announced its largest drought support package yet at $75 million, reducing council rates and offering support payments for farming families in south west Victoria.

This brings the total figure of drought support packages delivered by the state government since September to $144 million.

But the opposition has accused the Allan government of dragging its heels.

At the heart of the package is $35.8 million in council rate relief for eligible landholders in the worst affected areas, delivered through 12 local governments, including Moyne, Corangamite, Southern Grampians and Warrnambool.

The funding will cover 40 per cent of eligible property rates.

The Country Women’s Association will receive $2 million to provide up to $1,000 in household support payments for farming families doing it tough.

The package includes $5.9 million for mental health support, technical advice and debt mediation, and $6.3 million in fee relief to lower operating costs for primary producers.

A further $15 million has been committed to extend the East Grampians (Mininera) Rural Pipeline, which will connect up to 750 rural properties and 10 towns to a more secure water supply. 

Other funding will go toward expanding emergency water points, upgrading bores and supporting drought employment programs.

Shadow Minister for Agriculture and National Party MP Emma Kealy criticised Friday’s announcement, calling it “a sad case of too little, too late”.

“It is no more than a starting point and has come far too slowly, given farmers in the state's south west have been battling the big dry for two years,” she said in a statement.

“Farmers have been handed financial relief that falls well short of recommendations by the Drought Relief Taskforce. Overall, this financial assistance package clearly doesn't go far enough.”