EAST GIPPSLAND’S drought-ravaged farmers have accused the Andrews Government of ignoring the worst drought in living memory, which has turned their land into a barren moonscape.
Mr Harrison said state government support, put on the table in September last year, just wasn’t enough.
The VFF has repeatedly asked Ms Symes to raise the $5000 on-farm grant, deliver municipal rate subsidies and rebates on carting stock water.
But to date Ms Symes has failed to respond, simply stating: “When it comes to further supporting drought-affected farmers, nothing is off the table”.
Meanwhile Giffard farmer Dan Boland described his farm as a “moonscape”, with dust storms blowing out paddocks and piling sand up against fencelines.
While Mr Boland has access to bore water for his sheep, others aren’t so lucky, having to cart stock water.
Giffard farmer Helen Milne is carting water from two to three times a day for her 1400 sheep.
“I was thinking of getting off-farm work, but someone has to be here all the time (to water stock),” Ms Milne said.
“I never thought it could get this bad here.
We’ve spent $100,000 on feed over the past two years.”