Print this page
Making hay on the roadsides
0 comment

Making hay on the roadsides

Fifty-three farmers today received hay that has been donated through a roadside fodder project.
Gippsland East Nationals MP, Tim Bull, said “having raised this in parliament six weeks ago and requested roadsides be cut for fodder, it was pleasing to see 520 bales delivered into East Gippsland today.”
“Full credit to Heyfield Lions (which organised the distribution), Fulton Hogan, Engie and their sub-contractors for making this happen and VicRoads for their support.
“The reason for me raising this was in driving to Parliament each week you could see knee high grass on some roadsides and then the next time it would be slashed and just left there.
“There was – and still is - a lot of good feed on roadsides in parts of West and South Gippsland that can be cut and baled for hay and donated to farmers further to the east who are still in drought.
“I asked the Roads Minister if this could be done and I’m pleased that it has received her support,” said Mr Bull.
The distribution of the 520 bales was organised by Heyfield Lions and their Drought Relief Coordinator Ray Akers.
“Heyfield Lions has received wonderful support with people donating their time, their trucks and fuel and we just could not do this without their generosity,” said Mr Akers.
Mr Bull said while this was welcomed, it is clear the roadsides could provide much more fodder for drought impacted areas and said he would push for the government to provide funds for the expansion of the project.
“We have also had a horrible December to date, on the back of the years of drought we’ve experienced and first thing in the New Year I will be advocating for more drought support from the state. South Australia has just subsidised 50 per cent of rates for its farmers. This is more than we are getting and farmers in NSW are receiving much greater supports, so we need to get serious here in Victoria.”
Caption: Nationals Member for Gippsland East, Tim Bull, pictured with Fulton Hogan representative Peter Curl and Heyfield Lions Drought Relief Coordinator Ray Akers who is distributing 520 bales of hay to drought affected farmers.