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Fencing fund anger; $4m fire aid bypasses farmers
8 Jun 2004
Gippsland and north-east Victorian farmers rebuilding fences destroyed in last year's bushfires are being denied financial assistance by strict State Government rules. More than $4 million of the $5.57 million fencing package is going to waste, with just 150 landholders managing to access the finance. Some farmers have been forced to pay for fences themselves as they didn't meet the strict criteria.
In a double blow to farmers, the number of wild dog trappers funded by the Government will drop from 25 to 17 statewide from the end of this month. The wild dogs have increased dramatically in numbers following the bushfires. Many farmers, armed with rifles, are sleeping with livestock to try to stop the attacks.
The 2003 north-eastern Victorian and Gippsland bushfires destroyed 1.3 million hectares and 41 homes.
Herald Sun, 8/6/04, page 25.
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