Applications open for Drought Employment Program

THE Catchment Management Authority (CMA) has opened applications for its Drought Employment Program.

Farmers, farm workers and agricultural business employees impacted by ongoing drought conditions can apply, providing meaningful off-farm employment opportunities.

Those impacted will have the opportunity to take on an off-farm role for 12 months with their CMA to give drought affected workers employment and their regular employers a break from paying wages.

Funded by the Victorian government, the program is being delivered in the Corangamite and Glenelg Hopkins CMA regions.

Corangamite CMA chief executive officer Amber Clarke said the initiative played an important role in supporting farmers and communities doing it tough.

“Like previous successful CMA Drought Employment Programs, this program provides a way for people to earn an income, apply their skills and build confidence in future employment opportunities by undertaking a range of different health works – like riparian fencing, pest and weed control and revegetation.”

Employees will still be based locally throughout the initiative, with a range of part-time or full-time roles available, depending on the applicant’s needs.

The program will be available for farmers or farm-dependent workers from 11 local government areas in south-west Victoria including the Surf Coast, Greater Geelong and Golden Plains municipalities.

Minister for Water Gayle Tierney announced the program as part of a $144 million package through the Premier’s Drought Response Taskforce.

“The Drought Employment Program will support workers with off-farm income while conditions are difficult, while bringing forward essential local environmental and waterway improvement works.”

A total of $1 million is available for the CMA-led project in the south-west, where drought conditions have been the most severe over a long period of time.

For more information or to submit an expression of interest, head to ccma.vic.gov.au