Patrick and Karen Neal on Friday hosted SA Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven at their property Willoughby Hills at Emu Downs in the drought-affected Mid North on Friday. Photo: Clare Scriven MP

THE SOUTH Australian Government has today announced a $55-million package to support drought affected farmers and communities across SA.

The package builds upon the $18M in initial assistance announced by the SA Government in November, and has been designed in direct consultation with primary producers, including a roundtable with farmers and key industry bodies last week.

Most of SA is experiencing drought conditions, including some regions with their lowest rainfall on record.

Even if the drought were to break, its impacts will continue for many months or years.

New assistance measures in the package include:

• A further $13M for On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants for rebates that assist with projects to manage drought conditions and strengthen drought preparedness;
• An additional $4M to assist charities with freight costs to transport donated fodder to assist farmers with feeding livestock;
• Immediate financial relief by providing rebates for Emergency Services Levy and commercial vehicle registration fees for primary producers receiving the Commonwealth’s Farm Household Allowance;
• $2.5M for an immediate and comprehensive strategy to boost mental health and resilience in drought affected areas;
• $1M for Rural Financial Counselling Support;
• $3.5M in additional supports for rural small businesses;
• $3.1M to assist with culling pests and manage kangaroo populations;
• $4.5M to support producers with the implementation of electronic identification (eID) for sheep and farmed goats;
• $1.4M to co-invest with councils in the upgrade of regional standpipes;
• $1.1M to support the provision of standpipes for critical water needs in the Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu;
• $500,000 to make bulk water available from Bundaleer and Beetaloo reservoirs;
• $2M to assist sport and recreation clubs in drought affected areas through the Active Club Program;
• $400,000 to develop and encourage new regional events in drought-affected areas through the Regional Event Fund;
• $250,000 to provide financial support for country students affected by drought to attend camps and excursions;
• A further $250,000 for grants of up to $5000 for the Connecting Communities Events Program, for groups to host events that foster social connections and provide support;
• $17.4M for Future Drought Fund Preparedness and Resilience programs.

Grain Producers SA chair John Gladigau has welcomed the announcement.

“The State Government has cealrly acknoweldged the challenges facing grain producers due to the ongoing drought through this package, and we commend their commitement to delivery targeted support to both farmers and regional communities,” Mr Gladigau said.

“Grain Producers SA has actively advocated for many of the key initiatives within the…package, and we are encouraged to see the government respond to these calls with decision action following the Prmier’s Drought Roundtable.

“We are committed to working closely with the State Government and the Drought Advisory Group to ensure the effective and timely delivery of these initiatives, ensuring support reaches those who need it most.”

The measures build on the $18M in support outlined in November 2024, which included an initial round of On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants, donated fodder-transport assistance, health and wellbeing support, grants for the Connecting Communities Events Program, mentoring and counselling.

The package has been designed to complement existing Commonwealth assistance which includes the Farm Household Allowance, concessional loans, resilience planning, the Farm Management Deposit Scheme and taxation measures.

Source: SA Government