ACT’s farmers and rural landholders are to receive assistance from the Territory Government as a result of the current dry conditions.
Chief Minister and Treasurer, Andrew Barr said the assistance package followed work done with farmers in recent years to build their resilience for dealing with the increasing likelihood of dry conditions due to climate change.
“The package is designed to support those farmers in need and also further prepare them for the future,” Mr Barr said.
“It will provide freight subsidies for ACT farmers who are being forced to source expensive feed for their stock.”
He said this was in line with the support being offered in NSW.
Mr Barr said the ACT was experiencing extended dry conditions similar to the surrounding areas in NSW.
“The first six months of this year have seen 34 per cent less rainfall and 1º warmer temperatures than the long-term average,” he said.
“This follows last year, which saw 21 per cent less rainfall than the long-term average.”
Mr Barr said the package had been designed after the Minister for Planning and Land Management, Mick Gentleman met with the ACT Rural Landholders’ Association, and foreshadowed further measures to be explored in the weeks ahead.
“The ACT Government has worked extensively with farmers in recent years to build their resilience when dealing with dry conditions due to climate change,” the Chief Minister said.
“Grants, workshops and information provision have led to farmers making timely decisions to reduce stock and secure feed, and also to access Australian Government assistance, which is not contingent on drought declarations.”
Mr Barr said the current conditions clearly require extra action.
“The ACT Government is confident these new measures will help our farmers to get through this difficult time and also further prepare for the future,” he said.
