Wellington Shire Council has today welcomed a drought funding package announced by Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews.
The $31 million package is to be distributed across four regions experiencing sustained drought conditions – Wellington, East Gippsland, Millewa and the Goulburn-Murray Irrigation District.
Part of the package includes $5.2 million in direct funding to the shires of Wellington, East Gippsland and Mildura to meet immediate community needs.
Wellington Shire Council Mayor Alan Hall said the funding would complement the initiatives already implemented in Wellington so far, including Council’s $1 million direct support to local farmers through the pre-loaded debit card initiative.
“We will look at the detail of this funding announcement today and continue to work with our local agricultural sector as to the best way to use this funding to benefit the farmers and the rest of the community,” he said.
“We have worked closely with East Gippsland Shire Council and our agricultural reference groups to produce our Gippsland Drought Response Proposal ‘Looking Ahead’ document which outlines proposals to see our communities through this drought.
“Once we have fully evaluated the details of the funding and our options, we will make a further announcement.
“All options in our Looking Ahead document will be on the table for consideration.”
Cr Hall thanked the Premier, Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes and Member for Eastern Victoria Jane Garrett for visiting Gippsland.
