MURRAY River Council (MRC) will donate $20,000 to support drought-stricken farmers in New South Wales.
The council unanimously resolved last week to contribute the money to a pool of funds managed by the Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation (RAMJO), which will coordinate a regional approach to directing funds to farmers in need.
MRC mayor Chris Bilkey said council would determine the best avenue for support in conjunction with RAMJO and its member councils.
“This is about taking a unified approach to supporting our farmers and we will certainly be involved in a regional discussion as to how best direct these pooled resources to those in need,” he said.
“Council will continue to advocate strongly on water allocation issues which require urgent and immediate action, but we hope these donations from local government will go some way to provide some temporary relief.”
Cr Bilkey told The Guardian council had been hearing concerns over conditions from local farmers for months now and the support offered by state and federal governments had fallen short of what was needed.
