 |
 |
| SA Drought E-News, 22nd May 2008 |
|
|
|
|
| Submission to fertiliser sales enquiry |
|
The Premier’s Advisor on Drought, Dean Brown, has presented evidence as the first witness to the Senate Select Committee on Agricultural and Related Industries on its Inquiry into fertiliser pricing and supply arrangements.
Mr Brown discussed issues that were raised in five written statements from individual farmers outlining their experiences with restrain of trade for fertiliser and breach of contract by fertiliser companies. As a result farmers were not able to obtain their fertiliser when they wanted it and farmers were forced to pay higher prices than originally contracted.
Mr. Brown said the seven Senators wanted to know the extent of these problems. The names and addresses of the farmers were kept confidential. The Senators expressed concern at the sharp increase in the price of fertiliser and the impact this would have on the risks faced by farmers.
The State Government’s drought co-ordinators Brenton Parsons (Eyre Peninsula) and Liz Connell (Northern) assisted in arranging the statements from farmers. Mr. Brown thanked the farmers who had assisted by supplying statements.
|
|
| Adelaide reservoirs update |
Top |
|
Adelaide’s reservoirs have received some much needed natural intake over the past few days courtesy of good weekend rains.
Natural intake for the six days leading up to 8am on Monday morning (19 May) was 1400 megalitres, which represented about 72% of the intake for the month to date and 3% of the intake for the financial year to date.
The overall storage of our reservoirs is 45%, with a total storage of about 89,000 megalitres.
|
|
| Weekend rainfall update |
Top |
|
The Bureau of Meterology has reported falls in excess of 15 millimetres over many parts of the State, with falls in excess of 30 millimetres through the Mount Lofty Ranges and southern Flinders ranges over the three days to 9 am on Monday 19 May 2008.
Notable cropping areas to miss out on falls were eastern parts of the Lower Eyre Peninsula and Kangaroo Island while only moderate falls penetrated to the Riverland.
A Bureau of Meterology map is available at: www.pir.sa.gov.au/pirsa/drought/programs__and__services/latest_information.
|
|
| Widespread rain however needed for Murray |
Top |
|
Water resource conditions have continued to worsen across the southern Murray-Darling Basin, the Minister for the River Murray, Karlene Maywald, says.
She said that based on the current water resource outlook for 2008-09 from the Murray-Darling Basin Commission, the most likely initial irrigation allocation when the water year begins on 1 July would be zero percent.
“However, the State Government fully understands the adverse impacts this would have and is investigating all possible options to make a small initial allocation. Further advice will be available on Monday 16 June,” she said.
Information received from the Murray-Darling Basin Commission last week shows that over the past three months, rainfall in the upper River Murray catchment was below average and inflows are receding towards previous historical minimum inflows.
A media release has been posted on the drought website: www.sa.gov.au/drought.
Further information about conditions in the River Murray and wider Murray-Darling Basin is available at: www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/murray/drought/index.html.
|
|
| Carry over water arrangements |
Top |
|
Water will be available to licensed users who carried over water from the current water year for use in 2008-09, the Minister for the River Murray, Karlene Maywald says.
A total of 737 applications have been received to carry-over water for delivery in 2008-09. The total amount of water for carry-over will be calculated following end-of-year meter readings.
It is expected that at least 50% of eligible carry-over will be allocated from 1 July with the remainder to be allocated as the season progresses.
Water has also been put into reserve to guarantee supply for critical human needs in SA during 2008-09.
In addition, SA has been guaranteed the delivery of 696 gigalitres of dilution flow to cover system losses and to ensure salinity at Murray Bridge does not exceed 1400 EC during 2008-09.
|
|
| Country water quality program extends to Cooltong |
Top |
|
The Riverland township of Cooltong will soon receive filtered water under a $2.8 million extension of the State Government’s Country Water Quality Improvement Program.
The Minister for Water Security, Karlene Maywald made the announcement last week from the new Glossop Water Treatment Plant where she was on site to launch the completion of the $54 million third stage of the program, which is already providing 17 Riverland and Murraylands communities with filtered water.
The program included constructing nine water treatment plants and six major pipelines in less than 12 months to provide major improvements for regional water supply.
“Originally the project was set to be complete by 2009 but late in 2006, the State Government announced it would be fast-tracked so communities could receive filtered water earlier in case of water quality issues in the Murray brought on by drought,” Minister Maywald said.
For more specific information on townships and new water supplies, log onto www.sawater.com.au and follow the links ‘What’s New’ and ‘Projects on the go’.
|
|
| School band helps drought relief |
Top |
|
A Riverland high school band hopes music will go some way towards helping heal and support its drought-stricken community.
Glossop High School band, the Glossop Groovers, is preparing to record a CD in Adelaide in July with proceeds from the sale going to local families affected by the drought.
The school’s music teacher, Kirralee Baldock says the project will also give students an insight into the music industry and benefit the community, as well as thanking the community for supporting the school and the music program.
Mrs Baldock has funded the project with the prize money from winning the top prize in the 2007 National Excellence in Teaching Awards.
|
|
|
| Rural expo for Riverland |
Top |
|
A reminder that a rural expo aimed at creating awareness of support services available for the wider community during current difficult times will be held in Loxton on Friday 23 May at the Loxton Hotel.
More than 30 exhibitors will provide free information including financial management, workforce skilling, horticultural and technical advice, health and wellbeing, business management support, schooling and education.
The Expo will provide an opportunity for farmers, irrigators, business owners, families and the wider community to access information and to fully utilise the support services available.
To keep the kids entertained, there will be free face painting along with a free sausage sizzle in the gardens opposite the Loxton Hotel.
Renmark will host a similar Riverland Rural Expo on Friday 27 June at the Renmark Hotel.
|
|
| How rural communities perceive climate change |
Top |
|
A report has been released by the Bureau of Rural Sciences which points to a great deal of uncertainty in rural communities about climate change – particularly its relationship with drought.
The report – Climate Risk and Industry Adaptation – looks at climate change and how the associated risks are being managed in four drought-affected rural communities: Temora and Condobolin in New South Wales (dryland) and Mildura and Cobram in Victoria (irrigated).
Copies of the report are available free of charge at: www.brs.gov.au.
|
|
| Access and equity |
Top |
| 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. |
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
