SA Drought E-News, 24th April 2008

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www.sa.gov.au/drought
SA Drought E-News, 24th April 2008
National drought policy review Water Resources report issued
River Murray Drought Events program Drought bus visits SA
New watering times for shack owners Access and equity
National drought policy review

A comprehensive review of drought and Exceptional Circumstances (EC) policy covering the physical, social and economic aspects of drought, will be undertaken over the next nine months.

The review, agreed to by Federal, State and Territory Ministers at the recent Primary Industries Ministerial Council (PIMC), will include an assessment of the impact of drought on farm families and rural communities, whether current government social and business support is appropriate and what climate change means for drought in Australia.

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Rory McEwen says it’s critical that any changes ensure that drought policy includes preparedness, resilience and competitiveness.

“EC was always intended to cater for rare and severe events beyond the ability of farms to manage, typically occurring only one in every 20-25 years,” Minister McEwen said.

“EC declarations were designed to be short term, normally up to two years, and the existing model doesn’t reflect the current environment of increasing climatic variability, rising temperatures, declining rainfall and more extreme climatic events.”

A report on the progress of the review will be presented to the next Ministerial Council meeting in October this year.
River Murray Drought Events program Top
An updated list of seminars, field days and workshops for irrigators has been posted on the drought website www.sa.gov.au/drought. Jump to River Murray Specific Information and scroll down to River Murray Drought Events Calendar.
New watering times for shack owners Top

Owners of holiday homes and shacks along the River Murray are reminded that watering times under the current enhanced Level 3 restrictions changed at the end of daylight savings earlier this month.

Anyone drawing water directly from the River Murray, including shack owners, are subject to the same restrictions as metropolitan SA Water customers.

In 2007-08, Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation compliance officers have closely monitored more than 3000 shacks and holiday homes along the River Murray. During this time compliance officers have made 112 informal cautions, 79 formal cautions, issued seven expiation notices and begun one prosecution.

The new watering times are:

Dripper systems and hand-held hoses fitted with a trigger nozzle can be used on one day a week for up to three hours:

  • Either between 7 am-10 am or 4 pm-7 pm.
  • Even numbered properties on Saturday, odd numbered properties on Sunday.

Buckets and watering cans can be used on any day at any time.

More information: www.sawater.com.au or SA Water Restrictions Hotline: 1800 130 952.
Water Resources report issued Top

High temperatures and low rainfall across much of the southern Murray-Darling Basin have reduced inflows into the River Murray and storages, according to the latest issue of the River Murray Water Resources Report.

The report, issued by the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation says:

  • A total of 62 GL flowed into the River Murray system during March 2008, compared to about 40GL in March 2007.
  • The current volume in Murray-Darling Basin storages is 1 771 GL (19%) capacity). This includes 581 GL in Menindee Lakes, all of which is owned by New South Wales.
  • Flows to SA have been reduced to 2 300 ML/day compared to the normal April entitlement flow of 4 500 ML/day.
  • There is a small positive flow to the Lower Lakes (700 ML/day or less past Wellington), but water levels in Lake Alexandrina and Albert continue to drop.

The full report is available at: http://www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/murray/drought/index.html#RiverMurraywaterresourcesreports
Drought bus visits SA Top

The Australian Government’s drought bus provides information on drought support and assistance and is visiting more South Australian centres over the next few weeks at the following locations:

Quorn – Tuesday 29 April, 9.30 am - 4.30 pm, Thompson Memorial Playground, Railway Terrace.
Booleroo - Wednesday 30 April, 10.30 am - 4.00 pm, Booleroo Centrelink, Stephen Street.
Orroroo – Wednesday 30 April, 5.00 pm - 7.00 pm, out the front of the Council Office, Second Street.
Olary – Thursday 1 May, 10.30 am - 12.30 pm, car park, Olary Hotel, Barrier Highway.
Mannahill – Monday 5 May, 10.00 am - 3.30 pm, opposite Mannahill Hotel, Barrier Highway.
Jamestown – Tuesday 6 May, 9.30 am - 4.30 pm, in front of Town Hall, Ayr Street.
Gladstone – Wednesday 7 May, 9.30 am - 4.30 pm, in front of Gladstone District Hall, Cross Street.
Melrose – Thursday 8 May, 9.30 am - 4.30 pm, Melrose Park, adjacent to Paradise Square, Stuart Street.
Access and equity Top
The information in this publication can be provided on request in an alternative format or another language for those who need it. Please contact Julie Gregory on (08) 8226 0230.

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