Drought Fund Wants Local Input

Drought Minister and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud

November 1, 2019

The Future Drought Fund Consultative Committee will meet in Toowoomba on November 7 to gather feedback on how to build Australia’s drought resilience.

The Toowoomba meeting is part of a nation-wide consultation process that will be held this month.

Drought Minister and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said on Friday an independent committee had provided the Federal Government with a plan for building drought resilience through the Future Drought Fund.

The allocation of funds for projects and activities will be guided by the resulting Drought Resilience Funding Plan.

However, the committee must now consult the community as part of the process legislated by the government.

Mr Littleproud said the consultations would help inform the committee on the best ways for the Future Drought Fund to invest in drought resilience.

“The fund will provide $100 million each year from July 1, 2020, for projects that enhance our preparations and responses to drought,” Minister Littleproud said.

“The Consultative Committee is particularly interested in hearing from farmers, local communities and industry organisations.”

He said the fund was based on three principles to tackle drought:

Give immediate support to farmers battling the current drought

Give support to drought-affected communities, and

Build future resilience via the Future Drought Fund

“Improved drought resilience could come from new tools, technologies or techniques that help farmers better manage their natural resources,” Mr Littleproud said.

“It could come from better financial and business planning for lower income periods. Or it could come from better, more localised weather data and improved climate forecasting.

“This is the opportunity for our farmers, industry and rural communities to have a significant contribution on how we prepare for future droughts.”

Mr Littleproud said he urged people to go online and have their say on the draft Drought Resilience Funding Plan and, if possible, attend one of the consultation meetings.