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| SA Drought E-News, 24th July 2008 |
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| Investigations underway into soil cracking |
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Ongoing drought conditions have led to widespread soil cracking and riverbank slumping in the Lower Murray region.
The Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation and the Murray-Darling Basin Commission are assessing riverbanks, levees and water control structures along the River Murray from Lock 1 downstream to Wellington to gauge the impact of low water levels on river assets and soils down to -1.5m AHD.
In addition, there will also be an assessment of the damage caused by drought conditions and cracking soils to the Lower Murray River floodplain and valley beyond the main stem and immediate banks of the river.
Once the damage has been assessed, options to undertake remediation work will be considered.
Anyone who has witnessed soil cracking on or near their properties is encouraged to attend one of two meetings being held in Murray Bridge and Mannum on Monday, 4 August 2008. To attend the meetings, contact Abby Stephens on 8413 6505.
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| Forum on climate change |
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A free Climate Change forum will be held at the Renmark Sporting Club, Paringa Street, Renmark from 11 am to 4.30 pm on Thursday 7 August.
Organised by The Riverland Development Corporation, speakers will include the Minister for the River Murray Karlene Maywald MP, who will provide River Murray communities with the latest information about the drought and water security measures. This will include information about the recently announced Murray Futures projects; Bronya Alexander from the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) on Let’s think about whether Goyder’s line is moving?; NUFField Scholarship winner John Gladigau on Collaboration in agriculture; and Jared Eaton from the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation will provide a water update.
Light lunch and afternoon tea supplied. To register attendance or request a program, please contact Kristy or Erin at the Riverland Development Corporation. Telephone 85 808 500. Fax 85 808 532.
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| River Murray drought public meetings |
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Six River Murray drought meetings will be held in the week commencing Monday 4 August. These meetings will provide River Murray communities with the latest information about the drought and water security measures. They will include information about recently announced Murray Futures projects. The Minister for the River Murray, Karlene Maywald, and other speakers will be at the meetings to provide advice and information and answer questions.
The general public is welcome to attend these meetings. They will be held at:
- Goolwa, Monday 4 August, 7pm-9pm, Centennary Hall, Cadell Street;
- Murray Bridge, Tuesday 5 August, 9.30am-11.30am, Murray Bridge Racing Club, Maurice Road;
- Langhorne Creek, Tuesday 5 August, 2pm-4pm, Football Clubrooms;
- Meningie, Wednesday 6 August, 11am-1pm, Meningie Bowling Club;
- Waikerie, Thursday 7 August, 10am-12pm, Waikerie Club, Crush Terrace;
- Renmark, Thursday 7 August, 2.30pm-4.30pm (as part of the Riverland Development Corporation’s Climate Change Forum), Renmark Sport Club, Paringa Street.
For further information, contact the SA Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management (NRM) Board on 8532 1432.
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| Water availability outlook for southern MDB |
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Federal and State/Territory governments have received their eighth report from senior officials on dry inflow contingency planning in the southern Murray-Darling Basin (MDB). First Ministers have agreed to the recommendations made in the report.
The key message is that the 2008-09 water availability outlook for the southern MDB is serious and has deteriorated through March-June. The report indicates that across much of the MDB the water available for irrigators, communities and the environment remains at record low levels.
Work is continuing on contingency planning in order to protect critical human needs for 2009-10 should inflows remain at or below record minimums through winter.
A copy of the full media release is available.
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| Latest rainfall map |
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In July good rain fell across most districts, improving crop and pasture growth. However, some areas only received light rain in July and remain very dry, including parts of western, upper and eastern Eyre Peninsula, the Upper North and the Murray mallee.
A map of rainfall for July to date from the Bureau of Meteorology is available.
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| Head of MDB Authority announced |
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The current head of the SA Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, Rob Freeman, has been appointed the chief executive of the new independent Murray–Darling Basin Authority.
He will start in the new role on 8 September 2008. He will act as chief executive and chairman for three months, or until amendments to the Water Act come into effect that separate the roles of chairperson and chief executive.
Once this happens, it is expected that Mr Freeman will be confirmed in the role of Chief Executive of the new authority on an on–going basis as well as being a member.
He will lead the development of a new Basin Plan, including a sustainable cap on surface and groundwater extractions in the Basin.
The Federal Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts will shortly advertise for applications for the four other Authority members’ position and for the ongoing chairperson role.
A media release from the Minister for Climate Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, has been posted on the drought website.
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