The McGowan Government will invest an additional $10.1 million to extend vital drought resilience initiatives helping future-proof Western Australian farms and regional communities as part of the 2023-24 State Budget.
The State will match the Albanese Government’s Future Drought Fund investment in the successful Farm Business Resilience and Regional Drought Resilience Planning programs, bringing total investment to $20.2 million.
The Farm Business Resilience Program will support learning and development opportunities that assist farmers in developing resilience within their business to more variable climatic conditions, including drought.
The Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program supports partnerships between regional organisations, local government, communities, and industry to create community-driven drought plans that identify actions to prepare for future droughts.
The new funding, announced as part of the 2023-24 State Budget, will be rolled out over the next three years.
As stated by Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Watt:
“It’s fantastic to see the Federal and State Governments working in partnership to protect farmers and farm businesses from the impacts of drought.
“This funding will support communities across Western Australia to develop specific plans to help them deal with the impacts of drought.
“By building resilience in more farmers, we can make sure more people are better prepared to manage dry conditions in future, whilst keeping their business afloat.”
As stated by WA Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis:
“Farm businesses continue to face climate risk and the Future Drought Fund programs are an important part of a national effort to prepare for the long term economic, environmental, and social impacts of drought.
“The extension of the Farm Business Resilience program will help more WA farmers access the latest farm business and regional drought resilience planning.
“More than 300 stakeholder groups have participated in the Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program so far, helping regional communities prepare and plan for the impact of drought.”
30 APRIL 2023
MINISTER WATT’S OFFICE – 6277 7190
