Rate Relief on the Way for Southern Grampians Farmers
Published on 31 July 2025
Southern Grampians Shire Council held an unscheduled meeting last night to approve a Drought Support Rate Relief Package which will provide much needed assistance for famers in the Southern Grampians Shire.
Earlier this month the State Government announced it would be allocating $35.8m to selected south-west Victorian councils through the Primary Producer Support Payment program (PPSP). This program is a key component of a broader Drought Support Package. This funding saw $4,345,544 million allocated for Southern Grampians Shire.
Council has calculated the amount to be distributed based on the criteria and have identified a shortfall in funding of $111,903. This shortfall has been communicated to the State Government, with Council currently awaiting confirmation of whether this amount will be added to the total funding amount. Should the shortfall remain, the rate relief package will approximate to slightly below 40% promised by the State Government.
Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Dennis Heslin said Council welcomed the package, acknowledging many in the community were still doing it tough due to the ongoing drought.
“Council has identified over 3,000 rateable properties that will benefit from this discount to help our communities in their recovery for the ongoing drought,” said Cr Heslin.
“This package should translate into approximately a 40% discount for properties classified as rural with the rate relief to be featured as a credit on the upcoming 2025/26 Council Rates Notice.
“Council has advocated hard over the past 12 months at all levels of government for adequate and appropriate drought support which has included our social media campaign championed by local farmers, conversations and letters to ministers, and most recently hosting a Farmer Forum with 21 local farmers feeding into an advocacy plan for the upcoming 12 months.
“We’ve also introduced practical measures with laundromat vouchers, showers, and free waste disposal at outer transfer stations. Due to high demand, the free waste/recycling drop-off program has, as of last week, been extended to include weekdays as well as weekends.
“I’d like to thank all of the farmers who appeared in our videos to assist in this advocacy effort. This was an enormous ask and we’re very grateful for your vulnerability and your support.
“We know that there is still a long way for our region’s recovery with this rate relief package aimed to help out our primary producers, but we will continue to support our residents where we can, to help our communities back on their feet,” concluded Cr Heslin.
Several options were considered by Council for the distribution of the funding with the overarching objective of ensuring the intended recipients, being drought affected primary producers, are the targeted recipients of the rate relief.
The relief will be provided in the form of a credit applied to the general rates and municipal charge for properties classified as rural as shown on their rates notice.
Please note the rebate will only apply to General Rates and Municipal Charges (not waste or Emergency Services Volunteer Fund levies).
Ratepayers seeking clarification on property rating category can contact Southern Grampians Shire Council Rates Administration Officer on 5573 0444.
If you are not eligible for the drought support rate relief and are experiencing financial hardship that may prevent you from paying your rates and charges by the due date, you can apply for a payment plan. This arrangement will enable you to pay your rates on a manageable plan on either a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis.