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| SA Drought E-News, 15th May 2008 |
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| Toolbox helps communities rebuild |
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The Eyre Peninsula Community Alliance has produced an information toolbox which contains practical ways for communities to respond in a positive way to hardship caused by negative experiences such as drought or bushfires.
Through the toolbox’s information tools communities can work together to rebuild their lives after a traumatic event or emergency and “bounce back”.
The project arose from a series of Staying Strong positive, informative and recreational events held over six months for farming and business communities on the Eyre Peninsula. The Staying Strong website is at www.stayingstrong.com.au.
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| Drought and Rural Support Centre opened |
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A one-stop drought information and assistance office is now serving the people of the Murraylands. The Premier’s Special Advisor on Drought, Dean Brown, officially opened the office in Murray Bridge on Wednesday.
The office was established by the Murraylands Regional Development Board with support from PIRSA, Country Health SA, Rural Financial Counselling Service SA, Murray Mallee General Practice Network and Centrelink.
Farmers, small business people and anyone impacted by the drought can visit the office to obtain advice, information and support from a range of service providers. The office is at 4 Clara Street, Murray Bridge.
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| Young Farmers drought program success |
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Nine enthusiastic young farmers from across the State participated in the first Young Farmers drought program held in Adelaide on 28 April to 1 May.
Through the four-day residential workshop, participants gained insights into other industries and the issues facing them, learnt about implementing leadership in their communities and gained an insight into mental health issues. The skills learned included how to work with others in their industries and communities.
The aim of the program is to provide a range of specialised professional leadership development opportunities for young people involved in primary production in South Australia.
A follow up session will be held on 3-4 June for this group and the next program will start in August.
More information found on the PIRSA website.
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| Dean Brown tours Port Broughton area |
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The Northern Yorke Drought Taskforce recently hosted a tour with the Premier’s Special Advisor on Drought Dean Brown to look at the Port Broughton area. The visit covered the issues of poor crop returns, risk management in production regimes including diversification and forward selling of commodities.
The issue of working off farm in the mining industry and attempting to continue to run a property was also covered, along with the issues related to succession planning. The task force discussed the issues of stress on communities and the need to continue to provide support to rural communities.
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| No signs of improvement in Murray Darling |
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There are no signs of improvement in water availability in the Murray system over the next few months according to the Murray-Darling Basin Commission’s (MDBC) latest Drought update released on 9 May.
Rainfall during March and April has been below average and system inflows were very low.
The Chief Executive of the MDBC, Wendy Craik, says that historical records show that after a dry autumn, inflows into the upper Murray are not likely to be high.
The update is available at www.mdbc.gov.au and a media release has been posted on the drought website: www.sa.gov.au/drought.
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| Northern and Yorke Water Resources Officer appointed |
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A new water resources management officer has been appointed to the Northern and Yorke Natural Resources Management Board. Ruth Coates comes to the Board from Banrock Station where she was a ranger ecologist, managing 1600ha of Mallee Woodlands, Ramsar listed wetlands and Murray River floodplains.
She has also worked in the cotton, cattle and viticulture industries developing more sustainable land use practices, and in the Rangelands monitoring the re-introduction of locally extinct native mammals. Ruth has a Bachelor of Science and is studying towards her Masters of Applied Science.
“I am really looking forward to working with the Northern and Yorke community to tackle some of the issues facing regional catchments, and working towards the development of management strategies to maintain a sustainable environment and water supply into the future,” Ruth said.
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| Access and equity |
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| The information in this publication can be provided on request to those who need it in an alternative format or another language. Contact Julie Gregory on (08) 8226 0230. |
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Drought E-News is a regular newsletter updating the State Government’s drought response. If you’ve been forwarded this E-News and you would like to subscribe, click on the link below, complete the details and you will receive drought E-News in the future.
Feedback is always welcome, email Drought News.
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