Ararat Rural City Farmers to Receive Rate Relief Amidst Ongoing Drought Conditions

Following the announcement of additional funding for its Drought Support Package, the State Government has now provided Ararat Rural City Council with key details regarding its Primary Producer Support Payments initiative.

Last month the State Government announced an additional $35.8 million to help farmers in Southwest Victoria manage the pressures they are facing due to prolonged drought through Primary Producer Support Payments.

This initiative sees the State Government committing to fund a 40% rate reduction for primary producers in designated drought-affected areas. The aim of this initiative is to provide financial relief from council rates to farmers significantly impacted by ongoing drought.

The State Government will provide Council with a lump sum for distribution to the municipality’s primary producers.

Following the July 2025 Council Meeting, Council has determined that the funding will be used for a 40% reduction on the Farm Rate and Municipal Charge across all properties rated as a farm as of 30 June 2025 for the 2025–26 financial year. This will appear as a credit on eligible Valuation & Rates Notices.

“We welcome this additional support from the State Government, as our farming community has been doing it incredibly tough through these extended dry conditions,” said Ararat Rural City Council CEO, Dr Tim Harrison.

“While it was Council discretion as to how this funding reached affected farmers, we've chosen an approach that provides cash relief in a simple, fair, and transparent way. This ensures all primary producers benefit proportionally from the support available.”