By Nasik Swami: “This is an emergency”. That is the urgent message from Naracoorte Lucindale mayor Patrick Ross, who has issued a heartfelt appeal to the government for immediate support for farmers grappling with severe drought in the area. Mr Ross emphasised that the widespread impact of the drought challenged the outdated belief that farmers can always manage on their own. “When hundreds are impacted by a natural disaster, we call it an emergency. This drought is impacting tens of thousands, and yet it is being left up to individual farmers—already stressed and battling to keep their farms operating and animals fed—to reach out for help,” he said. “I understand that drought no longer needs to be declared in a region for farmers to be eligible for assistance,” he said. “But let’s call it: this is an emergency.” The mayor’s appeal comes on the heels of a compelling message shared […]