• Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Immediate funding for impacted flood and storm communities
• Federal assistance extended for Victoria storms and floods
• Don't share the love...grass!
• Extra support for farmers to build harvest workforce
• Food and Fibre Gippsland awards now open
• Absentee farmer fined $5,000 for animal cruelty to herd
• Irrigation AgTech, what’s in it for you
• What's on – agriculture recovery online and on-farm events

The Victorian Government has announced a further easing of restrictions from 11.59 pm tonight, Thursday 8 July. See the latest Statement from the Minister for Health for details.

Keep up to date with all the latest restrictions and requirements at coronavirus.vic.gov.au.

Victorians whose homes, businesses and sheds were destroyed in the June floods and storms can have their properties cleaned up at no cost, continuing to support communities to recover as soon as possible.

Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Initial funding of $55.5 million has been provided for the first phase of the program which will be delivered by Bushfire Recovery Victoria (BRV) in partnership with Johns Lyng Group, Australia’s largest disaster recovery specialist.

Minister for Emergency Management Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the clean-up program will ease pressure on families following the catastrophic storms that caused widespread damage and disconnection across the state, bringing down trees, causing major flooding and damaging vital infrastructure.

“Clean-up is an important step following a natural disaster, and it is vital in ensuring that properties are made safe,” Minister McKenzie said.

“This program will clear the debris and cut red tape so that communities can begin their recovery journey.”

Victorian Acting Minister for Police and Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes encouraged eligible property owners to register.

“We’ll stand shoulder to shoulder with Victorians on their recovery journey, for as long as it takes.”

“This voluntary program is open to eligible property owners, regardless of whether or not they were insured, and I encourage anyone impacted by the storms to apply.

“We’ll assist residents to clear the debris sooner so that communities can recover faster.”

The program will work with local contractors to demolish, remove and dispose of structures that were destroyed or damaged beyond repair by the storms, including residential and commercial buildings. It also includes the removal of hazards such as dangerous trees that pose a threat to property or work crews, as well as any vehicles that were damaged beyond repair.

In addition, the Victorian Government is working with the Insurance Council of Australia to ensure savings accrued by insurers from the Government-funded clean-up of destroyed homes will be passed on directly to policy holders, so they can use those funds to help rebuild their homes and
businesses.

The BRV Storm and Flood program will start immediately with BRV and Johns Lyng contractors on the ground for assessments as soon as eligible property owners register.

Property owners are encouraged to check their eligibility and register for the clean-up program at www.brv.vic.gov.au/cleanup or by phoning 1800 560 760.

Information on disaster assistance is available on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at disasterassist.gov.au

• Australian Government support payments activated for five additional local government areas across Victoria.
• Quickest and easiest way to claim is to call 180 22 66.
• Eligible recipients can make claims from Friday 2 July 2021.
• Check eligibility at www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/disaster.

The Australian Government has activated the Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment (AGDRP) and Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) to support an additional five local government areas affected by the June storms and flooding across Victoria.

Support through the AGDRP and DRA is now available to the local government areas of Baw Baw, Cardinia, Mornington Peninsula, South Gippsland and Wellington.

Minister for Emergency Management David Littleproud said the five local government areas announced are in addition to those already activated, taking the total to nine local government areas.

“The AGDRP provides a one-off, non-means tested payment of $1,000 for eligible adults and $400 for eligible children who have suffered a significant loss, including a severely damaged or destroyed home, serious injury or who have lost a family member,” Mr Littleproud said.

“The DRA provides a short-term income support payment to assist individuals whose income has been affected because of this awful event.

“By making these payments available, the Australian Government is helping people get back on their feet with dignity and respect.”

People eligible for DRA can access income assistance for up to 13 weeks, equivalent to the maximum rate of Jobseeker Payment or Youth Allowance.

Equivalent financial assistance will also be available to eligible New Zealand citizens (‘non-protected’ Special Category Visa, subclass 444 holders) affected by the storms and floods.

More information on Australian Government disaster assistance is available at www.disasterassist.gov.au

Crops and pastures aren’t the only beneficiaries from increased soil fertility due to favourable seasonal conditions in Gippsland.

Agriculture Victoria Biosecurity Officer Jack Woods said the increased soil moisture that has favoured crops and pastures has also resulted in the spread of weeds such as African lovegrass.

“This season's rainfall has created ideal conditions for African lovegrass to flourish and preventing the spread now is as important as ever,” Mr Woods said.

“It is an introduced perennial grass which quickly dominates and out-competes other pasture grasses.

“African lovegrass spreads naturally through wind and animal movement but is also spread by activities including the transport of machinery, soil, livestock and hay/fodder also rapidly distributes African lovegrass.

"By taking a proactive approach and observing some simple biosecurity practices, you can prevent African lovegrass from spreading.”

There are five key practices to prevent the spread of African lovegrass and other invasive weeds, as listed below:

• Ensure machinery moving on and off your property is free of soil and fodder material that may contain weed seed.
• When purchasing new livestock, ensure they are quarantined for at least 14 days until weed seeds have had the opportunity to pass through their system.
• If practical, feed livestock in the same area each time. Feed areas should be easily accessible, so that any weed control work necessary will be easier to manage.
• Regularly monitor the areas where foreign material such as fodder and soil has been placed on your property and implement a regular control program.
• If a suspect plant is detected on your property, seek assistance from a local Biosecurity Officer to identify it. This will ensure technical advice can be provided regarding appropriate control methods.

For further information call Agriculture Victoria's customer contact centre on 136 186 or visit the Agriculture Victoria website.

The Victorian Government is backing key horticulture regions through a program designed to help farmers attract and retain workers they need for the coming harvest season.

Food and Fibre Gippsland received a $49,500 grant to help connect jobseekers to employment opportunities with local growers, and improve communication with culturally and linguistically diverse communities in the region.

The grant will also be used to help farmers understand transport requirements for workers - a common barrier that prevents people from taking on horticulture work.

Third-generation asparagus producer Adrian Raffa is one of Australia’s biggest producers and exporters of asparagus at his farm at Tooradin in South Gippsland. At peak harvest Raffa Fields employs more than 200 workers each year.

Raffa Fields is one of the many farms in the region’s $1 billion horticulture industry that will benefit from Food and Fibre Gippsland’s project, with a greater understanding of the needs of local jobseekers as it looks to boost its seasonal workforce for this season and for seasons ahead.

The grant is part of the government’s $1 million Seasonal Workforce Industry Support Program (SWISP), which provides support for industry groups to employ additional staff and deliver new initiatives that assist farm businesses in priority harvest regions to recruit and retain seasonal workers.

Under the program, Agribusiness Yarra Valley also received $100,000 to develop a seasonal workforce hub to connect employers with workers, as well as a targeted campaign to entice jobseekers to horticulture work.

Cobram and District Fruit Growers received $51,000 to connect more young workers to horticulture jobs, and Ausveg Vic received $56,700 to produce videos in multiple languages to highlight the COVIDSafe protocols of Victorian vegetable farms.

The program is part of the government’s comprehensive $76 million support package to assist the industry to address the workforce challenges brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, and to develop targeted solutions driven by local communities.

The Victorian Government continues to provide support to farmers through the Seasonal Harvest Sign-On Bonus and the Pacific worker quarantine arrangement with Tasmania.

Absentee farmer, Bruce Cook, was fined $5,000 in the Swan Hill Magistrates Court recently for animal cruelty to his herd.

The farmer pleaded guilty to two charges, one for cruelty and one aggravated cruelty offence. Without conviction he was fined $5,000 and costs awarded in the amount of $219.95 to the department.

The herd were agisted on a property at Lake Charm, near Swan Hill, approximately 410 kilometres from his residential address in Crossover.

At the time of the incident, Mr Cook was on a trip interstate and did not supervise the cattle himself or arrange for anyone to supervise the cattle in his absence. During the six-day period of extreme heat the cattle’s water source pump failed, resulting in the death of 32 cattle.

Mr Bode said apart from the obvious pain and suffering of the animals, animal welfare breaches can jeopardise Victoria’s reputation as a humane and responsible producer of food, which can affect all producers.

“This is a reminder to all livestock producers that animal cruelty will not be tolerated by the Victorian Government or the community.”

“Also, those farmers who work as absentee owners are reminded that adequate supervision is a requirement particularly during risk times such as summer to ensure animals have proper and sufficient feed, water and shelter.”

Anyone wishing to make a specific complaint in regard to livestock welfare can contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or aw.complaint@agriculture.vic.gov.au

The eighth webinar in our irrigation webinar series, Irrigation AgTech, what’s in it for you, will run on Thursday 15 July, from 1 pm.

Agriculture Victoria Senior Irrigation Extension Officer Rob O’Connor said the webinar is particularly relevant for farmers and service providers who want to find out more about irrigation AgTech equipment and the recently announced Victorian Digital Grants program for farmers.

Agriculture Victoria Industry Technology Coordinator Mark Sloan will be giving an overview of the past two years while working alongside farmers in the Agriculture Victoria On-Farm IoT Trial, to investigate the benefits of IoT technology on farm. Mark will provide an insight into the devices and connectivity relevant to irrigated farms.

To register in advance for this webinar, go to https://bit.ly/AgVicWMW8.  After you have registered you need to save the confirmation email, which will contain information about joining the webinar, including a password.

More information about the Victorian Digital Agriculture Investment Scheme can be found here:  https://www.ruralfinance.com.au/industry-programs/digital-agriculture-investment-scheme

For more information about the irrigation webinar series please call Rob O’Connor on 0408 515 652, or for technical issues call John Paulet on 0429 158 500.

This webinar is brought to you by the Sustainable Irrigation Program, a partnership between Agriculture Victoria, DELWP, catchment management authorities and rural water corporations.

Details about Agriculture Victoria events can be found in one spot on our website. Log on to the Events page to keep in touch with upcoming events.

Livestock producers impacted by the recent storms and floods are invited to learn more about responding to animal health and nutritional needs following floods.

TOPICS:

• Animal health problems – such as reduced feed availability and plant toxicity to dehydration, infection and disease
• Livestock nutrition principles and what’s needed for a balanced diet
• Nutritional considerations of livestock that have been impacted by a flood event

WHEN: Friday 9 July

TIME: 1 – 2 pm

More information and to register on Eventbrite

CONTACT: Tim O’Donnell, Agriculture Recovery Extension Officer on 0448 540 741 or email tim.o’donnell@agriculture.vic.gov.au

On-farm paddock walks to discuss pasture recovery and options and needs for renovation.

TOPICS:

• Soil and pasture assessments
• Assessing current pasture condition and future planning
• Weed identification and weed controls.

WHEN: Tuesday 13 July

TIME: 10.30 am – 12.30 pm

More information and to register on Eventbrite

CONTACT: Janice Dowe: Livestock Industry Development Officer on  0437 282 315 or email janice.dowe@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Has your farm been affected by soil erosion or sediment?

Agriculture Victoria will provide information and approaches in responding to erosion impacts during this webinar.

TOPICS:

• Cause of soil erosion
• Farm impacts and maintenance
• Control techniques and responses
• Case studies
• Questions and answers.

WHEN: Tuesday 13 July

TIME: 7 – 8 pm

ONLINE via Zoom or phone

Speakers: Brad Costin and Clem Sturmfels

The Zoom meeting will open at 6.30 pm. Please join early to sort out any connection issues. For assistance contact Greg Ferrier on 0438 738 634

Register here.

Meeting ID: 951 0663 4604 Passcode: flood

Joining by phone:

Telephone call in number: (03) 7018 2005

Meeting ID: 951 0663 4604

Passcode: 840462

For further information contact Clem Sturmfels, Land Management Extension Officer on 0429 018 879 or clem.sturmfels@agriculture.vic.gov.au

On-farm paddock walks to discuss pasture recovery and options and needs for renovation.

TOPICS:

• Soil and pasture assessments
• Assessing current pasture condition and future planning
• Weed identification and weed controls.

WHEN: Wednesday 14 July

TIME: 10.30 am – 12.30 pm

More information and to register on Eventbrite

CONTACT: Janice Dowe: Livestock Industry Development Officer on  0437 282 315 or email janice.dowe@agriculture.vic.gov.au

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