The move comes after a motion to the council this week, which was unanimously supported. 

Councillor Mitchell Pakes said staff were preparing a report to outline all options available for the council to assist farmers in the region. 

“All farmers are hurting in different ways,” he said. 

“We have the transport team looking at allowing farmers to use their tractors to transport stock on local road, and the waste service team looking at how we can reduce their costs of disposing of the excess plastic packaging they now have to deal with because of the hay they have to truck in. 

“Shoalhaven Water is looking at how they can reduce their water rates, and from today [Wednesday] council will not charge farmers interest on overdue rates. 

“Staff are preparing a report for a rate holiday for farmers too.”

Cr Pakes said although farmland in the Shoalhaven looked green, farmers were feeling the drought here, just as much as those in western NSW. 

A mayoral relief fund will be set up for people to donate money to, which will be given to Shoalhaven farmers. Council has contributed $10,000 to that fund, which Cr Pakes said was appropriate. 

“I want to see a strong future for our agriculture sector in the Shoalhaven,” he said.

“The drought has crept up on everyone and it is vitally important we as a local government support where we can.

“This will cost council, but we need to work for the long-term. I am happy to explain to the community why we spent this money.” 

Cr Pakes said anyone who “didn’t believe” farmers were struggling had their “head buried in the sand”. 

“I have had one farmer tell me he has asked himself, ‘Do I feed my cattle, or myself?’ Our farmers deserve better,” he said. 

“It is hard for farmers to talk about what they are facing. They are very proud, and a lot of them are third, fourth or fifth generation farmers. They don’t want to have to be the ones that close the farm. 

“They are very appreciative for council’s support. It is a national issue, and the federal and state governments have offered assistance to drought relief, and now it is time we act on a local level.”