Community
20 August, 2025
CMA program opens
FARMERS, farm workers and agricultural business employees impacted by the ongoing drought conditions in the south west can now apply to be part of the Catchment Management Authority (CMA) Drought Employment Program.
The Victorian Government-funded program, delivered in the Corangamite CMA region, provides meaningful off-farm employment opportunities for people experiencing hardship because of dry conditions – either through reduced hours, profitability or loss of employment – to take on a role with their CMA over the next 12 months.
Corangamite CMA chief executive officer Amber Clarke said the Drought Employment Program will play an important role in supporting farmers and community who are doing it tough while helping to deliver environmental outcomes on the ground in both regions.
“Like previous successful CMA Drought Employment Programs, this program provides a way for people to earn an income, apply their skills and build confidence in future employment opportunities by undertaking a range of different catchment health works like riparian fencing, pest and weed control and revegetation,” she said.
Minister for Water Gayle Tierney announced the Drought Employment Program as part of the $144 million support package developed through the Premier’s Drought Response Taskforce.
“The Drought Employment Program will support workers with off-farm income while conditions are difficult, while bringing forward essential local environmental and waterway improvement works,” she said.
A total of $1 million is available for the Catchment Management Authority-led Drought Employment Program in the south west, where drought conditions have been the most severe over a long period of time.
The program will be available for farmers or farm-dependent workers from 11 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in south west Victoria, which includes Corangamite.
Eligible local farmers and farm workers can now express interest in being part of the program ahead of a recruitment process via www.ccma.vic.gov.au.
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