No clarity around drought support delays

LIBERAL Member for Northern Victoria Wendy Lovell recently demanded answers from the Victorian Government over delays in approving farmers’ applications for drought support grants.

Farmers suffering from the devastating effects of the drought are eager to make use of the Farm Drought Support Grant Program and start work on projects to make their farms drought resilient into the future.

Ms Lovell told parliament that she had been contacted by a constituent who submitted an application for a drought support grant back in July, but almost a month later had still not received written in-principle approval for his project.

“It is completely unacceptable that Victorian farmers suffering the devastating effects of the drought are still waiting to have their drought support grants approved, almost a month after applying,” Ms Lovell said.

“The state government must explain why it is taking so long to approve grant applications for drought support projects, and tell farmers what the government will do to speed up the approval process.”

Capturing and making efficient use of rainfall is time critical as winter draws to a close and spring arrives, but farmers may be stuck waiting for grant approvals.

Alexandra Newspapers contacted the Victorian Government to ask about delays to drought support.

Questions included: How many drought support grants has the state government received and how many have been approved? What is the average approval time for drought support grant applications? How many drought support grant applications have been submitted in Murrindindi Shire? How many of those have received approval?

Opportunity was also given for government to respond to the claims made by…..

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