Thursday 22 March 2018
Dear Editor
Our thoughts are with farmers and communities in Victoria’s south-west who now face the prospect of assessing the damage from the weekend’s bushfires.
All credit must go to our emergency service personnel and community members who worked tirelessly to bring these fires under control.
Your efforts ensured no resident was left behind and that there was no loss of life despite extreme conditions.
The coming days and months will be incredibly difficult as livestock losses and injuries are assessed and our farmers and communities determine the full impact of loss of livestock property and farm infrastructure.
With the fire scorching pasture at hundreds of farms across 15 000 hectares a fodder drive established by the Victorian Farmers Federation will provide much needed supplies and I urge those who can to donate.
Every available support must be extended to our dairy farmers livestock farmers and community members who face the heartbreaking prospect of rebuilding their lives.
Peter Walsh
Leader of The Nationals
Member for Murray Plains