As drought continues to affect farmers across South Australia, there are concerns that assistance promised by the state government is struggling to flow to those who need it. An Adelaide Hills farmer says he has been waiting for months for a call back and drought assistance grants. The government says staff members have been increased dramatically, and it is promising to do better.
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00:00Like many farmers across the state, Michael is experiencing drought conditions.
00:07I've seen dry summers and we can deal with those. This one's taking a bit more of a toll.
00:14But there is water on his Adelaide Hills property. It's just 40 metres underground.
00:19His aim is to pump that up for his livestock and he wants the government to help do it.
00:24A simple solar pump would fix this problem. So using that $5,000 to assist with that project and it's all come to a standstill.
00:33Michael applied for a grant with the state government's drought assistance program back in January but was still waiting for a call back close to three months later.
00:42That slow processing time is a problem the government's acknowledged and has promised to streamline.
00:47We've got the extra staff on. Farmers who have previously experienced delays should see money flowing far more quickly.
00:54than what's been the case before.
00:56Farmers can also apply for financial relief through rebates available to those on the Commonwealth's Farm Household Allowance.
01:02That's a means tested program to ensure relief goes to those most in need.
01:07But the opposition wants that net to be cast more widely.
01:10To make sure that they can provide that assistance to farmers right across the board because we know that many are going through a drought that has never been seen like this before.
01:19We are trying to focus on those farmers and those other people adversely affected by the drought who are in the most need.
01:27Dams like these are so dry it will take more than just a weekend shower to fill them up.
01:32That's why government assistance is so critical for these farmers to bridge the gap until the rains truly arrive.
01:39It helps needed in some form.
01:42You know, this drought wasn't our doing.
01:44You know, we're just stuck in the middle of it.
01:47After our interview Michael was contacted by the state government.
01:50And while he's expecting some rain this weekend, it's yet to be seen if money will flow too.
01:56It's just a moment of an hour to run for a piece of beauty for the place.
01:58It was a very good time.
01:59So, it's about 30 hours to run and to be seen on it.
02:01We will continue to take more time.
02:02So, for that moment, when you look at the place, maybe we will continue to let people know what we follow.
02:05Why am I going to go to do this?
02:07So, that's burning out of the place.
02:08Is there a place where I am just going to relax?
02:09Or what can I have to take more time away?
02:11Or if I am going to walk to the place and take more time, you know…
02:13I'm going to take a minute.
02:14Like this?
02:15You know, what do you think?
02:16So, what are you doing?
02:17That's not going to talk about.
02:18If you have to take a week, I want to take a minute.