Councillors in one Victorian Shire have been stunned to learn they will receive $1 million in federal government grants for drought relief despite the south-west experiencing one of its best winter/spring seasons in years.
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Fresh off the plane from the United States, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Friday the new Drought Community Program would deliver nearly $100 million to drought-hit communities.
Moyne Shire councillor and Woolsthorpe farmer Colin Ryan said he was in disbelief to learn $1 million was heading down south.
"It's certainly news to me that we're in drought when we've had one of the best seasons in years," he said.
"How are we in drought when we're sending hay up to our northern farmers who are living in dust bowls and can barely afford to feed their cattle or themselves?"
A spokeswoman for the deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure Michael McCormick said Moyne Shire Council was "definitely" rightfully selected.
Can we morally keep this money when we're not suffering?
- Moyne Shire councillor and farmer Colin Ryan
"The program is designed for councils to build local projects to generate their economies in drought-affected communities," she said.
"The focus is on the flow-on effects of the drought to help local economies.
The office for Minister for Drought David Littleproud confirmed Moyne Shire was selected for the program based on latest research.
"The Government took into account Bureau of Meteorology data, as well as other economic and industry data such as the workforce employed in agriculture, forestry or fisheries, to determine which Local Government areas should receive assistance," a spokesman said.
"We looked at where drought issues had started intensifying in Local Government Areas that had not yet received $1 million under the program.
"Ahead of the forecast summer conditions, it is important to generate an economic stimulus in these communities to ensure we can mitigate against hardship, support projects that provide local employment and keep money flowing through local shops and suppliers.
Moyne was one of 13 councils across Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia who were part of Friday's announcement.
According to the statistics provided to Mr Littleproud's office, Moyne Shire's rainfall deficiency for March 2019 was 78.4 per cent and the June deficiency was 62 per cent.
Cr Ryan said he believed the statistics given to the government for the DCP allocation simply do not reflect the reality in Moyne Shire.
"For the Federal Minister of Agriculture to say we're in drought is unbelievable and untrue," he said.
"Can we morally keep this money when we're not suffering?"
Moyne council will meet early this week to discuss whether they make an application for the funding or if they will pass it up so it can to be reallocated to those in need during the next round of funding announcements.
Wannon MP Dan Tehan has been contacted for comment.