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Central Victoria
Exceptional circumstances assistance for Central Victoria will continue under the Central Victoria North revised and Central Victoria South revised EC declarations until 31 March 2009.
The Shires of Loddon, Central Goldfields, Greater Bendigo and Mt Alexander now form part of the Central Victoria North revised EC declared area.
The Shires of Hepburn, Macedon Ranges, Moorabool, Melton, Hume, Whittlesea, Wyndham and Greater Geelong now form part of the Central Victoria South revised EC declared area
All producers in the declared area are eligible to apply for income support payments and interest rate subsidies.
Agriculture-dependent small business operators who derive 70 per cent of their turnover from agriculture in any EC declared area are also eligible to apply for income support payments and interest rate subsidies.
Note: If your small business: is located in a town that is substantially reliant on farm incomes and has a population of 10,000 or less; and is in an EC area (including prima facie and interim assistance areas); and can demonstrate a significant downturn in income due to the drought, you may be eligible for assistance.
Producers and small business operators should not self-assess their eligibility for income support but should call the Drought Assistance Hotline on 13 23 16.
For more information on interest rate subsidies please contact your state rural assistance authority.
All producers and small business operators should note the following deadlines:
| Applicant | EC Relief Payment expiry | EC Interest Rate Subsidy Applications Close |
|---|---|---|
| Producers Small Businesses |
30 September 2008 | Year 1: 23 October 2007 Year 2: 30 September 2008* |
* A 28-day grace period applies to the closing date for EC Interest Rate Subsidy applications.
Area Description
The Central Victoria EC declared area covers the Shires of Loddon, Central Goldfields, Mount Alexander, Hepburn, Macedon Ranges, Whittlesea, Moorabool and Melton, and includes the Cities of Greater Bendigo, Hume, Wyndham and Greater Geelong, but excludes the major metropolitan areas contained within the Austin, Brownbill, Kardinia and Cowie Wards of the City of Greater Geelong.
Download a PDF version of the Central Victoria EC declared area map 
PDF [616kb]
Note: If you are experiencing problems viewing or printing a map, try saving it to your desktop first. To do this right click on the map and select 'Save Target As', 'Save File As' or ‘Save Picture As’. If you are still experiencing problems, ring (02) 6272 4053 or email DAFF PR.