Pyrenees Shire welcomes drought relief measures

Published on 04 July 2025

Pyrenees Shire Council has welcomed an announcement by the Victorian Government for additional drought relief measures for southwest Victoria.

A major feature of the new package is the Primary Producer Support Payments that will give eligible Pyrenees Shire farmers the equivalent of a 40 per cent rate reduction.

Another boost for the region is the commitment of $15 million towards the extension of the East Grampians Rural Pipeline to provide water security including for farmers in Pyrenees Shire’s southwest. The extension is dependent on further funding from the Australian Government and will require a $15.6 million investment from Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water.  

Council also welcomes the commitment to expand and upgrade Emergency Supply Points for stock and domestic water supply, as well as household payments of up to $1000 for struggling families in the eligible municipalities.

Pyrenees Shire Mayor Tanya Kehoe welcomed the drought relief measures as some relief for local farming families.

“Our farming communities are doing it very tough right now and they need as much support as possible,” Cr Kehoe said.

“These measures are practical, timely and will help our primary producers ease some of their cashflow problems, whilst looking to the future to try and get some solid water sustainability solutions in place.

“As a Council, we have been advocating strongly for drought relief measures for this region including for long term water security solutions such as the East Grampians pipeline.”

The full list of measures announced today can be found in the Premier’s announcement at www.premier.vic.gov.au/backing-our-farmers-through-drought 

For further information on these measures, go to www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or phone 136 186.