No drought relief for Bendigo farmers

Bendigo farmers wanting drought relief will have to wait a little longer after the Victorian government knocked back their request for assistance.

Greater Bendigo Mayor Rod Fyffe has written to the government asking for the council area to be declared a drought-affected municipality so farmers in the region can access drought support.

"Our farmers have managed the dry conditions very well in recent years, but this sustained effort is now taking its toll," Mr Fyffe said on Tuesday.

"Many farmers (are) paying to cart water for their households and stock and buying machinery to cart it.

"Farmers are tired, stress levels are high and finances are continuously being eroded due to the burden of buying water and feed for their livestock."

But state Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford said drought relief funding was going to the councils hardest hit.

"We are monitoring conditions (in Bendigo) closely, we will continue to do so, but our response to date has been targeted to those communities that have been most profoundly impacted," Ms Pulford told reporters.

"These are communities that have had incomes decimated, two or three failed seasons, and are experiencing significant hardship."

Ms Pulford said on-farm advice and access to rural financial counselling were available to farmers statewide - regardless of their municipality's drought-relief status.