BY: ARIANA GATTI
Following a Maitland Council meeting held last night, members have agreed to allocate around $5,000 left-over from the end-of-financial-year budget toward deserving Hunter farmers.
Image Sourced: https://crackler.com.au/portfolio/maitland-city-council-branding/
The notice of motion which was proposed by Maitland Councillor, Philip Penfold, sat well with the rest of council and voted for the allocation of exactly where the funds will be distributed, up to the decision of the general manager.
Funding will be split up and allocated fairly to the farmers in areas still suffering from the results of drought.
Areas in the northern Hunter region, in particular, Merriwa and Muswellbrook, are being kept in mind firstly to receive some of the financial aid.
Image Sourced: Simon McCarthy, Newcastle Herald - https://www.theherald.com.au/story/5218638/everybodys-looking-for-rain-drought-dries-out-the-hunter/
Cr Philip Penfold says more funding can be found elsewhere to help the suffering farmers.
"While $5,000 is only a modest contribution, I'd like to think that other Councils in the region would be able to contribute as well", he says.
The allocated money would be put to good use, as it would go towards providing enough food for livestock to survive and flourish, as well as maintain healthy living conditions for regional farmers.
Penfold says there have already been organisations getting behind causes like this and are willing to help out.
"We expect organisations, like Lions who have already done some great work to support our farmers, will receive some funding of their own to provide even more aid", he says.
