Collaboration delivers hay to drought-stricken farmers

15 November 2018

Queensland farmers will receive much-needed fodder for their livestock following a joint relief effort by Queensland Urban Utilities and Ipswich City Council.

Up to 80 bales of vetiver grass will be donated to drought-stricken farmers in Tara on Saturday November 17 to help the Western Downs agricultural community.

Queensland Urban Utilities has been growing vetiver grass at its sewage treatment plants in Toogoolawah and Boonah.

Queensland Urban Utilities spokesperson Michelle Cull said the team was happy to help the farmers any way they could.

“When we discovered the vetiver grass could be used to feed livestock we knew this was an opportunity we couldn’t pass up,” she said.

“We’re proud to support our rural community any way we can. We harvest the grass three to four times a year so it’s heart-warming to know it’s going to help our farmers.”

Ipswich City Council will deliver the bales to two farmers living in Tara who are registered with Aussie Helpers, an organisation which helps keep farming families on their land.

Ipswich City Council Acting CEO Charlie Dill said experienced staff had volunteered to drive council’s trucks and deliver hay direct to the farmers nominated by Aussie Helpers.

“We started our hay campaign earlier this year and have now delivered 117 bales of hay,” he said.

“There has been an incredible response from the farming families we have been able to help so far. They have really been doing it tough and something like this means the world to them.

“To be able to combine our efforts with Queensland Urban Utilities is a golden opportunity to help even more farmers in need.”

Ms Cull said Queensland Urban Utilities was hoping to donate more vetiver bales in the future.

“With the assistance of Ipswich City Council, we hope we can provide on-going relief for our farmers.”

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