DROUGHT SUPPORT BOOST FOR BAROSSA FARMERS

Payments of up to $3,000 are now available to those worst-hit by the drought in the Barossa Council area following the Morrison Government’s extension of the Drought Community Support Initiative (DSCI).

Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the payment would become available to farmers, farm workers and farm contractors in the Barossa council area that are struggling because of the drought.

“This is to help put food on the table and fuel in the tank,” Mr Pasin said.

Payments will be made available through the Salvos or Vinnies at the end of March.

The support comes on top of other drought support, such as the Farm Household Allowance providing up to $118,000 to farming families and the Barossa Council’s inclusion in the Drought Communities Programme Extension, with $1 million for the council to spend on community projects.

Mr Pasin said further drought relief support will also be available under a new Drought Community Outreach program.

Under the new Drought Community Outreach program, the Country Women’s Association and Rotary Australia World Community Service would each receive a further $5 million to provide vouchers of up to $500 to farming households experiencing hardship due to drought.

“Given the local knowledge and expertise in regional Australia possessed by members of the CWA and Rotary, it made good sense for them to help administer the outreach program.”

“Our Government supporting farming households through drought, and as the drought steps up, so too does the Government’s response,” Mr Pasin said.

Today’s announcement takes the Government’s commitment of providing the DCSI to drought-affected farming households to over $180 million since 2018.