Drought Support and Resources

View a range of support services available. It will be regularly updated as new resources become available.

If you are in an emergency situation or need immediate assistance, contact mental health services or emergency services on 000.

Financial Support

Financial Assistance

Drought Infrastructure Grants | Agriculture Victoria
Eligible farmers can apply up to $10,000 for matching co-contribution grant to support activities such as Stock Containment Areas (SCA), reticulated water systems, irrigation system upgrades, grain and fodder storage, internal re-fencing to better match property layout, feed system upgrades, pasture/crop restoration, water carting for livestock and essential business activities. 

 Essential Needs Cards | Rural Financial Counselling Service
Up to $500 vouchers for food and fuel. Support is targeted to dairy clients actively working with Finwell Support T/A Rural Financial Counselling Service Victoria West, where hardship has been identified through a financial review.

Farm Household Allowance | Services Australia
A payment for farming families in financial hardship. This payment is the same as the maximum rate of JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance. Criteria applies.

Kangaroo Management | Agriculture Victoria
Drought-affected farmers whose livestock are competing with kangaroos for fodder will soon be able to apply for rebates to engage professional shooters to control kangaroos under an approved authority to control wildlife (ATCW).

The Victorian Government has announced an expansion on the Drought Support Package - this will include Primary Producer Support Payments and Financial Household Relief Payments. We will update this page with more information and links when it is available.

Financial Concessions

Council Hardship Assistance | Corangamite Shire
If you are experiencing financial hardship and need help paying your rates, you can apply for hardship assistance from Council.

Tax Drought Support | ATO
The ATO has a range of tailored tax concessions for primary producers that can help you prepare for, or manage, when conditions or matters are unpredictable.

Financial Counselling

Farm Support | Rural Financial Counselling Service - South West
Rural Financial Counselling Service offers a range of support including financial counselling, small business support and wellbeing support.

National Debt Helpline
The National Debt Helpline is a not-for-profit Government Service that provides confidential financial counselling for anyone experiencing hardship. You can contact the National Debt Helpline to request a referral to see a financial counsellor at your local financial counselling service.

 Small business and wellbeing support | Business Victoria
Free, confidential financial advice for small business owners from experts specialising in finance, debt management, negotiation, and counselling services. They also offer free access to wellbeing coaches, financial counsellors and business advisers. 

Other

Regional Investment Corporation Loans | Australian Government
Low interest loans for primary producers.

Corangamite Food Bank
Camperdown & District Community House is a registered agency with Food Bank Victoria and Western District Food Share, and offers this service to the entire Corangamite Shire region. Non-perishable food hampers and non food essential items, such as nappies and personal hygiene products, are available.

Corangamite Food Bank is available through:

  •  Camperdown Community House, Manifold Place Community Health, contact Cheryl or Penny 5557 0900
  •  Corangamite Shire, contact Service Navigation Team 5593 7100
  • Cobden Uniting Church Op Shop, contact Helen 0422 320 773
  • Camperdown Uniting Church 5593 2323
  • Camperdown Vinnies 0437 726 654
  • Camperdown Mental Health Service, contact 5593 6000
  • Derrinallum Op Shop, contact Robyn 0407 641 412
  • Terang Community Op Shop, contact 55921723
  • Terang Mortlake Vinnies contact 0459 047 620
  • Timboon and District Healthcare, contact Hayley 5558 6000
  • Simpson Community Centre, contact Debbie 5594 3448

Mental Health and Wellbeing

If you are in an emergency situation or need immediate assistance, contact mental health services or emergency services on 000.

Wellbeing Counselling and Services

RFCS Wellbeing Support | Rural Financial Counselling Services
Free and confidential wellbeing support. 

Counselling and Wellbeing | Rural Aid
Rural Aid offers free, confidential counselling to farmers and their family. They conduct counselling at the place that best suits, on farm, in town or over the phone. Rural Aid counsellors are professionally trained to help support people navigate all kinds of life challenges but come with an understanding of the unique needs of rural people.

Mental Health and Wellbeing | South West Healthcare
You can contact Mental Health and Wellbeing Services 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 808 284.

Online wellbeing resources

National Centre for Farmer Health
Offering a range of resources and programs for health and wellbeing.

Crisis Services

Lifeline 13 11 14

BeyondBlue 1300 224 638

Kids Helpline 1800 551 800

Fodder and Water

Fodder donations

Need for Feed | Lions Club
Coordinates deliveries of fodder for those in need. Assistance applications can be made on the website.

Domestic water support

Domestic Water | Rural Aid
Rural Aid coordinates domestic water deliveries to farmers in need of household water. Rural Aid uses local water carters to deliver a load of potable water to your house tank. They can work with your preferred water carter, or they can find a local licensed carter for you. Please note: Due to the high level of demand for this service, at this time, farmers can request a load of domestic water every FOUR months.

Farm water support and access

Drought Infrastructure Grants | Agriculture Victoria
Eligible farmers can apply up to $10,000 for matching co-contribution grant to support activities such as Stock Containment Areas (SCA), reticulated water systems, irrigation system upgrades, grain and fodder storage, internal re-fencing to better match property layout, feed system upgrades, pasture/crop restoration, water carting for livestock and essential business activities.

Emergency Water Supply Points
Emergency water supply points (EWSPs) provide water carting for emergency stock and domestic purposes during severe dry seasonal conditions and surface water scarcity. Some sites also have equipment for supplying fire-fighting vehicles with water.

Other

Give a Farmer A Break | BlazeAid
A BlazeAid initiative connecting farmers in need with generous volunteers and donors. This platform was created to support farmers facing drought by matching them with essential assistance, including volunteers, donations of equipment and feed, and agistment opportunities for livestock. The BlazeAid community is here to lend a helping hand and ensure farmers receive the support they need.

Rural Transition Services | Rural Aid
Offers atransition and succession planning service that will provide you with family-aligned objectives and a clear plan for your future.

 

Please note: Unless otherwise specified, these are external resources not provided by Council. We do not take responsibility for their content or delivery.