Annabelle Cleeland - Member for Euroa has put together some helpful Information surrounding -

Drought Support: What’s Available and How to Access It

As drought conditions persist across our region, I want to offer some support by sharing resources that may help you navigate these challenges.

From available grants and upcoming local events to expert advice and useful contacts, I’ve gathered information that I hope you’ll find helpful.

1. On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants — $5,000 available

Status: Expressions of Interest are currently open, with a starting date for full applications set to be announced soon.

Grant amount: $1,000–$5,000 (ex GST), dollar-for-dollar matched

Who can apply:

Those who own, share, or lease a primary production business in an eligible LGA/postcode
Have an active ABN (held since 30 Sept 2024)
Contribute labour to the business
Earn over 50% of income or $75,000/year from primary production (in an average year)

Eligible projects include:

Stock containment areas
Reticulated water
Irrigation upgrades
Grain/fodder storage
Re-fencing
Feed system upgrades

Key conditions:

One grant per applicant/business
Work already completed before 30 Sept 2024 not eligible
Can’t double-dip with other state/federal funding for the same works

How it works:1. Apply and get in-principle approval

2. Purchase items within 3 months3. Pay upfront

4. Submit invoices/receipts5. Get reimbursed by Rural Finance

How to apply:

Lodge an Expression of Interest now: admin@ruralfinance.com.au
Once full applications open, apply here: Rural Finance Grants

2. Rural Financial Counselling – Free Support Available

Another option available in our region is the Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS), which offers free, confidential advice for farmers under financial stress.

They can help you:

Review your finances
Create recovery action plans
Negotiate with banks
Access grants & government programs
Build financial resilience

Phone: 1300 834 775 (Wodonga office)Email: info@agbizassist.org.au

3. Loans, Payments, and Technical Advice

RIC Farm Loans

The Regional Investment Corporation offer a series of farm loans that may be of assistance, ranging from $500k to $2m.

Farm Investment Loan

Recover from severe business impact and prepare for future financial disruptions.

Agristarter Loan

Accelerate plans to help secure a first farm business or support succession arrangements.

Drought Loan

For drought preparedness management and recovery activities.

AgBiz Drought Loan

Enable farm-related small businesses to manage through, and recover from drought.

More information on the loans available at RIC, how to apply, and eligibility requirements can be found online at Our Loans - Regional Investment Corporation

Farm Household Allowance (FHA)FHA is a fortnightly payment for farmers and their partners facing financial hardship.

It’s paid through Services Australia at the same rate as JobSeeker or Youth Allowance and is available for up to 4 years (1,460 days) within specific 10-year periods.

Payments depend on your income and assets — you can have up to $5.5 million in combined assets.

More information on eligibility and how to claim it can be found at: Farm Household Allowance - Services Australia

Feeding Livestock - Agriculture Victoria

AgVic are also offering technical advice and information through their Feeding Livestock page.

This includes resources for Pasture, Beef, and Sheep - including tools, tables, calculators, links, and feeding books.

This can be accessed at Home | Feeding Livestock | Agriculture Victoria

4. Mental Health Support – You're Not Alone

Drought puts a huge strain not just on the farm, but on you and your family.

If you’re doing it tough, please know you are not alone.

Local mental health supporter, Ivan Lister, has supported many in our region through hard times and is always available for a confidential chat.

Ivan Lister: 0474 501 406

5. Drought Decision Making Workshops – Euroa and Benalla

Free events: Practical advice to help make tough farm decisions in dry times.

Topics covered:

Animal health, nutrition, feed budgeting
Setting up containment areas
Water quality
Personal support & wellbeing
Ag Biz Assist & mental health services

Euroa

Friday, 13 June 202511am–2pm (includes morning tea & lunch)Euroa Football Club Rooms, 2 Dunn St, Euroa

Benalla

Thursday, 19 June 2025

11am-2pm (includes morning tea & lunch)

Redgum Room, Benalla Lakeside Community Centre

More information on both events, and other fantastic initiatives by the Gecko CLaN, can be found at Home - Gecko CLaN

RSVP: Kerri Robson – 0418 140 710 | kerri@geckoclan.com.au

6. Fighting for Interest-Free Farm Loans

I am backing calls from my federal colleagues to reinstate interest-free Regional Investment Corporation (RIC) loans.

Up to $2 million
First 2 years interest-free
Then concessional repayments

Farmers urgently need meaningful support — not token payments. I’ll keep fighting to get real help back on the table.

7. Quick Contacts List

Rural Finance (grants): Rural Finance Grants
RFCS (free financial advice): 1300 834 775 | info@agbizassist.org.au
National Centre for Farmer Health: Support Hub – Victoria
Mental Health Advocate (Ivan Lister): 0474 501 406
State Agriculture Minister (Ros Spence): ros.spence@parliament.vic.gov.au | 1300 622 308
Federal Ag Minister (Julie Collins): Minister.Collins@aff.gov.au | (07) 5531 1033
Federal MPs (Helen Haines & Sam Birrell): helen.haines.mp@aph.gov.au | 03 5721 7077
sam.birrell.mp@aph.gov.au | 03 5821 5371

As always, my office is here to help anytime.

Warm regards,Annabelle Cleeland MPMember for Euroa

Prayers and Thoughts

Keep In Your Prayers and Thoughts….