Agricultural Assistance

A strong, competitive and sustainable economy is essential for the future of rural and regional areas.  East Gippsland Council recognises the importance of a strong and resilient agriculture sector.

The Victorian Government has identified the food and fibre sector as one of the growth areas vital to the future economic prosperity of Victoria and one of the fundamental drivers of East Gippsland’s economy is food manufacturing and production.

The East Gippsland Agriculture Sector Advisory Committee formed in 2021 provides a valuable forum through which Council can gain timely and informed insight into the issues that are impacting on the agriculture sector, the committee plays a vital role in shaping agricultural policy, supporting innovation, and strengthening the resilience of East Gippsland’s farming communities.

Since the formation of the committee, the members have provided advice and information into the Economic Development Strategy, Environmental Sustainability Strategy, Road Safety Strategy, written submissions for the Sustainable Water Strategy and Rural Land Use Strategy, in addition to advocating and supporting Council advocacy through to the State and Federal Government.

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Membership

The East Gippsland Agriculture Sector Advisory Committee comprises of a maximum of 16 members, as follows:

• Two (2) East Gippsland Shire Councillors, one of whom will be the Mayor;
• One (1) representative of each of the following organisations Agriculture Victoria, East Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, Gippsland Agriculture Group and Food & Fibre Gippsland;
• Ten (10) Committee members, representative of the Agriculture Sector.

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Purpose of the Committee

The primary role of the Committee is to provide advice to Council on the delivery of initiatives, funds and programs that support the agricultural sector in East Gippsland.

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Term of Membership

Committee membership is for two years, with the option to extend for a further two-year term. Committee meetings are held quarterly or as required.

For comprehensive information about the Committee, refer to the Agriculture Sector Advisory Committee Charter.

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Current Vacancies - July 2026

There are currently two (2) positions vacant on the Committee, representative of the Agriculture Sector.

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Term of Appointment

The two successful applicants will be appointed by Council to serve from appointment until November 2027, being the remainder of the current ASAC term. They will then have the option of a further two-year term to 2029.

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How to apply

Applicants should provide:

1. Full name and contact details.
2. A brief summary of their agricultural business, enterprise or industry involvement.
3. Details of relevant industry, community or advisory committee experience.
4. An outline of the skills, knowledge and perspectives they would bring to the Committee.
5. A description of the location, nature and scale of agricultural operations they are involved with.

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Assessment Process

Applications will be assessed against:

• Experience and involvement in the agriculture sector.
• Ability to contribute to the objectives of the Committee.
• Skills and expertise relevant to current and emerging industry issues.
• Contribution to maintaining a balanced and representative Committee membership.

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Applications

Applications close: Monday 10 August 2026, 5.00 pm.

The EOI form can be accessed here.

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Applications should be submitted via email to:

Kaylene Wickham
Agribusiness Development Officer
East Gippsland Shire Council
economic.development@egipps.vic.gov.au
03 5153 9500

For comprehensive information about the Committee, refer to the Agriculture Sector Advisory Committee Charter.

Read the media release.

‍‍Council recognises that effective pest animal management is critical to safeguarding agricultural productivity, regional communities and food security, with rising populations of deer, feral pigs and wild dogs placing increasing pressure on farming, local economies and community wellbeing.

Council adopted this position paper on 21 April 2026.

Read the media release.

Thank you to all the farmers who participated in the Farmer Survey 2021.

Council received 439 responses, which provided a great snapshot of the agriculture sector in East Gippsland.

Check out the survey at: Farmer Survey Report and Actions.

If you're a farmer, grower, producer, winemaker, brewer or distiller with a farm gate, sign up to be part of an East Gippsland Farm Gate Trail program.

You can register here as part of the Love Where You Live program.

Register here: Visit East Gippsland.

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Program

This program promotes the many agribusinesses that grow, harvest, farm and produce from properties across East Gippsland and sell their produce through farm gates, roadside stalls, farmers' markets or online.

The Grown, Caught, Made program creates the opportunity for community and visitors to engage in outdoor trade with small-scale and craft farmers and producers of the region.

To create your own tailor-made program, head to visiteastgippsland.com.au/taste.

Council can assist with accessing information about programs, funding and opportunities for the agriculture sector.

Council also produces a monthly Agrinews newsletter, which includes such information. The register to receive this newsletter, please email economic.development@egipps.vic.gov.au.

Please don't self-assess when considering eligibility for various grants and programs mentioned in the newsletter, instead, call the Agribusiness Development Officer on 5153 9500 or NEX Business, Farming and Wellness.

We can help with:

• Financial hardship assessments
• Pensioner concessions
• Farm rate eligibility

You are encouraged to speak to Council if you are experiencing difficulty paying your rates. There are several ways Council may be able to assist, including an arrangement to pay that is tailored to your situation.

Although interest is charged on all overdue amounts, if ratepayers enter into and honour an arrangement to pay, the risk of additional costs being incurred because action is undertaken to recover the debt is eliminated. Council officers are committed to working with ratepayers to put a plan in place for paying any overdue amounts.

It could be an arrangement that spreads rates payments more evenly across a period of time, or if things are really tough, it might be an interest-free period that allows the rates to be paid overtime without extra costs being incurred.

To discuss your rates, visit one of our Customer Service Centres or contact us on (03) 5153 9500. View our rates information.

* Council continues to lobby the Victorian Government for rate relief.

We have a free silage wrap disposal program. Farmers with silage wrap can continue to dispose of their silage wrap free (until further notice) at Council’s waste facilities in Omeo, Orbost, Lakes Entrance and Bairnsdale. Please call the relevant site prior to taking the silage to ensure it is open.

The silage wrap needs to be shaken and as clean as possible, and will be accepted in Bulka bags, wool bags or Plasback bags without net wrap or twine. There is a limit of 4m per customer per day at the Transfer Stations.

For more information, visit the Waste section.

A new comprehensive feeding livestock website with tools, resources and calculators you’ll need during drought and other times when pasture is limited can be found at feedinglivestock.vic.gov.au

Agriculture Victoria has published two videos of Gippsland farmers speaking about the drought conditions and assistance measures.

Watch Geoff Gooch, of Pearsondale, and Andrew Jones, of Stratford, discussing support options.

• Agriculture Victoria  
• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
• Department of Human Services
• East Gippsland Water
• Food and Fibre Gippsland
• National Centre for Farmer Health
• Red Cross
• Rural Aid‍
• ‍‍NEX Business, Farming and Wellness‍
• ‍Small Business Mentoring Program

Telephone Contacts

• Agriculture Victoria 136 186
• Rural Finance 1800 260 425
• Small Business Victoria 132 215
• Department of Families, Fairness and Housing 1300 650 172
• Regional Investment Corporation 1800 875 675

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Dry Seasons Assistance and Support Programs

We understand how tough conditions are right now for many in our farming communities and we want to make sure farmers in East Gippsland know what support is currently available through the Victorian government's $146.5 million dollar drought package.

The Agriculture Victoria website has an ongoing program of events, assistance programs, technical support and wellbeing services to support drought-affected farmers across Victoria.

For more information about available drought support, visit Drought Support Package or call 136 186.

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Assistance, Support Programs and Opportunities

The following government departments, organisations, community groups and service clubs have information available, ranging from farm and household assistance, support programs and opportunities.

• Rural Finance Industry Programs
• ‍‍NEX Business, Farming and Wellness
• Foundation for Rural Regional Renewal

Advocacy paper:

A joint paper developed in 2019 by East Gippsland Shire Council and Wellington Shire Council - 2019 Gippsland Drought Response Proposal 'Looking Ahead'

If you or someone you know is in need of crisis support, please contact:

• Beyond Blue 1300 224 636
• Family Relationship Service 1800 050 321
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800
• ‍Lifeline 131 114‍
• MensLine Australia 1300 78 99 78
• Samaritans Worldwide 135 247
• Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467
• National Centre for Farmer Health