Hello LPLN folks,
There are a number of grant opportunities available through Agriculture Victoria at the moment that I wanted to draw your attention to for primary producers in the region.
Planning Support Program for Small-Scale Pig and Poultry Producers VIC
The Victorian Government has established a planning support program to assist small-scale pig and poultry producers obtain a land use planning permit according to the 2018 planning reforms for animal industries. The support program includes workshops and grants. The workshops will help producers prepare their planning permit application and identify on-farm works, advice and other activities that may be required to support the application. They will also provide producers with information on how to manage environmental, amenity and biosecurity risks. The grants will help producers with costs related to obtaining a land use planning permit. Producers must attend a workshop to be eligible for a grant of up to $3,000.
To be eligible applicants need to:
•have an Australian Business Number (ABN)
•be seeking a land use planning permit for an existing or proposed small-scale pig or poultry farm located in Victoria
•complete a small-scale pig and poultry planning workshop prior to applying for the grant program.
Applications close: 31 May 2020 or when the funding allocation is expended
Contact information: 13 61 86, psai@ecodev.vic.gov.au
More information: https://www.business.gov.au/assistance/planning-support-program-for-smallscale-pig-and-poultry-producers-vic
Victorian On-farm energy grants
The Agriculture Energy Investment Plansupports on-farm businesses to improve energy efficiency, manage energy costs, improve energy reliability and support own-generation capacity.
The on-farm energy grants are available to eligible primary producers. Grants will be provided on a “dollar for dollar” cash co-contribution basis. Recipients are required to contribute at least 50 per cent of the total cash costs of the project.
There are three levels of grants:
Tier 1 is for grants for simple equipment upgrades up to a value of $50,000;
Tier 2 is to implement multiple, connected changes across a farm for a value of $50,000 – $250,000;
Tier 3 is for projects that will have a significant, regional impact and involve multiple farm businesses, for a value of $250,000 and $1 million.
An on-farm energy assessment is a pre-requisite (exception: dairy farmers applying for a tier 1 grant).
Applications close: March 2020 or until available funding is exhausted.
More information: http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farm-management/agriculture-energy-investment-plan/grants
Dry Seasonal Conditions
On 2 October 2019 Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes announced a further $31.6 million in assistance for farmers affected by the current dry conditions. The funding boost will assist farmers and communities impacted in the Millewa and surrounds, the Goulburn Murray Irrigation District (GMID) and Gippsland. While the details of some new programs are being finalised, farmers can register interest through email drought.support@agriculture.vic.gov.au or via an online form or by calling 136 186.
Some programs under previously announced packages (ie for Swan Hill, Buloke, Gannawarra, Mildura, Campaspe and Bendigo) are still available. To understand what financial assistance is available (state and commonwealth), farmers can contact Rural Financial Counselling Service – North West by phone 1300 769 489 or (03) 5022 0799.
More information: http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farm-management/drought/dry-seasons-support
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