Mike Kelly, Member for Eden Monaro is asking the government why they have overlooked the six Eden Moanro councils for drought funding. "In recent days the Liberal/National Government has announced an extension of the Drought Communities Programme which has seen 60 councils identified as eligible for $1 million in support for local infrastructure projects and drought-relief activities.
"There are six councils within the boundaries of Eden-Monaro which take up 42 thousand square kilometers of drought affected Southern NSW. None of these councils, not Queanbyan-Palerang Regional Council, Yass Valley Council, Snowy Valleys Council, Snowy-Monaro Council, Bega Valley Shire Council or Eurobodalla Shire Council received any help from the Liberal/National Government under this program.
"Our councils and our community cannot understand why they have missed out.
"They’re all drought declared and they all have farmers doing it tough, so the Liberals and Nationals need to front up and explain why they have turned their back on our community.
"I have written an urgent letter to the Minister on this matter and I am calling on the Government to stop their infighting for just a few minutes this week and revisit this decision.
"Our councils and our farmers need help, they should have been included as part of the Drought Communities Progamme extension."
