Rate relief for primary producers

This is great news for the farmers in the Mildura district. Let's hope the RCoW get to hear about this positive move and consider something similar for the primary producers in our part of the world.

With the higher prices for fuel and diminished returns, particularly in the grape growing industry, our primary producers are hurting badly and rate relief would be most appreciated.

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Page 6 - THE CHRONICLE EDITORIAL, Monday, February 20, 2006
Grape glut hits home

The Australia-wide grape glut is posing a very real threat to the future of King Valley grape growing region.
A number of growers are seriously considering their future as prices continue to stagnate - and when income levels are only about half of what is required to even cover costs, it is not hard to see why.
The current glut is not a new phenomenon. It is part of a cyclical pattern that is a trademark of the industry.
However, many of the growers in the King Valley are relative newcomers and they are finding it very tough to ride out the current low price period.
The fact that prices have now been wallowing for almost four years means it is really starting to hurt, and some growers are now looking at the very real possibility of ripping out their vines and turning to other agricultural pursuits.
King Valley growers have asked the Rural City of Wangaratta for assistance by way of rate assistance. They are concerned that pending re-valuations of their properties could result in sharp rate rises, which literally could prove the straw which finally does damage to the camel.
Hopefully councillors will take a sympathetic view in offering every assistance possible to an industry which has the capacity to make a major economic impact to this region in years to come.