Media Release Minister for Agriculture, The Hon Jaclyn Symes
PROTECTING VICTORIAN HORTICULTURE FROM FRUIT FLY IMPACTS
Victoria’s key fruit production regions will continue to be protected from the destructive impacts of Queensland fruit fly with an extension of funding from the Victorian Government.
Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes today announced a further $1.72 million in grants in a one-year extension of the Managing Fruit Fly in Victoria Action Plan 2015-20, allowing regional groups to continue the successful implementation of their area wide management programs.
Moira Shire will receive $522,800, Agribusiness Yarra Valley $178,840 and Mildura Rural City Council $511,900 to implement regional action plans for 2020-21 on behalf of Regional Governance groups, while also receiving funding for regional coordinators.
The new funding will keep high-value, time sensitive and perishable exports and vital imports, such as medical supplies and other essential items, flowing as we continue the economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. It will also re-establish domestic connections for producers and growers in regional and rural areas that rely on air freight to get their products to customers.
This funding is in addition to the $110 million announced in April to establish the IFAM under the $1 billion Relief and Recovery Fund to support regions, communities and industry sectors disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
Join extensionAUS and Agriculture Victoria for a series of webinars which will provide a unique opportunity for you to address on-farm connectivity issues and help you to understand available digital technology - how to measure it and how to make it work as best as possible for you and your business.
Webinar 4 – Online networking to better communicate on-farm and service farm businesses Tuesday 11 August, 1.30 – 2.30 pm Register or join at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84433966881
Contact: If you need help registering please contact Gavin Beever, Cumbre Consultants on 0438 234 886 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AUDIT An opportunity exists to participate in an on-farm digital technology audit conducted by phone by Agriculture Victoria, to understand the technology you already have available on-farm and how you can improve its efficiency. Participants will be asked to identify what type of internet connectivity they have, where they have access to WiFi and how they use technology on their farm. REGISTRATION:To register for the audit please book a time at https://bit.ly/2VbBXBK
Contact: If you need help registering or would like more information please contact Andy Clark, Agriculture Victoria, on 0436 804 656 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Salvation Army is delivering assistance through the Australian governments Drought Community Support Initiative (DCSI – Round 2). The second round of this assistance commenced on 19 November 2019. If you are a farmer, farm worker, farm supplier or farm contractor who is doing it tough due to the drought you may be eligible for a one off payment of up to $3,000.
To be eligible you need to be: - Over the age of 18 years - Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident - Live and / or work in a specified Local Government Area (LGA – see attached) - Have not already received this payment from The Salvation Army or St Vincent de Paul since 19 November 2019
You can apply for the drought assistance online at www.salvationarmy.org.au/drought (preferred method) or by calling the 24/7 Telephone Assistance Line on 1300 551 030.
