SA Drought E-News, 5th June 2008

Drought response header
www.sa.gov.au/drought
SA Drought E-News, 5th June 2008
Drought Reach program for women Time running out for Interest subsidy in three regions
EP Farmers asked for input Information breakfast for citrus growers
Big demand for truck driving simulator Access and equity
Drought Reach program for women

The Women’s Information Service will be hosting Drought Reach sessions in June across South Australia.

Learn more about services that can help you and your family make it through these tough times. Lunch will be provided. For childcare inquiries, please phone 1800 188 158.

Crystal Brook
Tue 10 June, 11 am to 3 pm
Crystal Brook football club, Railway Terrace
Whyalla 
Tue 10 June, 10.30 am to 3 pm
Function Room, Westland Hotel, Whyalla Norrie
Burra
Wed 11 June, 10.45 am to 2.45 pm
Burra Community and Sports Club
Wudinna
Wed 11 June, 11 am to 2.30 pm
Wudinna & Districts Telecentre, 44 Eyre Hwy
Kimba
Thu 12 June, 11 am to 3 pm
The Shed, Kimba Community Hotel
Kadina
Fri 13 June, 10.30 am to 3 pm
The Farm Shed Museum and Tourism Centre, 50 Moonta Road
Ceduna
Mon 16 June, 10:30 am to 2:30 pm
Foreshore Hotel
Meningie
Mon 16 June, 10:30 am to 3 pm
The Cheese Factory - Meningie Museum Restaurant
Murray Bridge
Tue 17 June, 10:30 am to 3 pm
Our Well Being Place, 108 Swanport Rd
Streaky Bay
Tue 17 June, 11 am to 2:30 pm
Telecentre Conference Room
Keith 
Wed 18 June, 11 am to 3 pm
Tatiara District Council - Keith Institute - Ruth Wheal Room
Tumby Bay
Thur 19 June, 10:30 am to 3 pm
Tumby Bay Skills Centre
Pinnaroo
Thur 19 June, 10:30 am - 2 pm
The Pinnaroo Institute, 21 Railway Tce (South) St
Orroroo
Mon 23 June, 12 noon to 4 pm
Blacksmith’s Chatter
Milang
Tue 24 June, 12:30 pm to 3 pm
The Milang Institute, Coxe St
Waikerie
Wed 25 June, 11 am to 2:30 pm
District Council of Loxton, Waikerie meeting room, Strangman Road
Kingscote
Wednesday 25th June, 10:30 am to 3 pm
Kangaroo Island Council Chambers, 43 Dauncey Street, Kingscote
Renmark
Fri 27 June, 10:30 am to 4:30 pm
Riverland Rural Expo, Renmark Hotel
Pt Augusta
Fri 27 June, 11 am to 3 pm
Cooinda Conference Room, Flinders Tce

More information on venues and times: www.officeforwomen.sa.gov.au or toll free 1800 188 158 (Mon-Fri).
EP Farmers asked for input Top

The Rural Financial Counselling Service SA board is holding a regional forum in Lock on the Eyre Peninsula for people to meet the board members and the general manager to discuss issues relevant to Eyre Peninsula.

The forum will be held at the Lock Football Clubrooms on Monday 23 June from 12.30 pm to 2.30 pm. A light luncheon will be available.

People wanting to attend should RSVP by Thursday 19 June by emailing admin@rfcssa.org.au or free call 1800 836 211.
Big demand for truck driving simulator Top

Port Augusta TAFE’s $1.1 million dump truck simulator is proving to be very popular with would-be mining industry recruits.

Almost 200 people have expressed interest in the 10-day training program.
Past and future participants include Year 11 and 12 high school students, apprentices, members of drought-affected industries and indigenous members of the local and remote areas. Women are also being encouraged to participate.

Twenty seven Riverland people have now completed the dump truck simulator training. A number of these have been offered employment in the mining industry and nine were recently inducted by a recruitment company on a site visit to Roxby Downs.

Free training in vehicle and machinery certifications is available for primary producers and people who work in service-related industries in Exceptional Circumstances areas who meet the SA Government drought response training criteria. Contact: Phil Strike on 8648 9814 or philip.strike@tafesa.edu.au.

A brochure has been posted on the drought website www.sa.gov.au/drought.
Time running out for Interest subsidy in three regions Top

The Northern and Yorke Drought Taskforce is encouraging farmers in the region not to leave the submission of applications for Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidy to the last minute. The Exceptional Circumstances areas affected are: Clare, Light & Barossa; Mid North; and Yorke Peninsula.

The Interest Rate Subsidy is part of the range of support measures available for drought affected farmers. The Interest Rate Subsidy program provides business support  for farm businesses [or small businesses that derive at least 70% or their normal turnover from providing goods and services for farm businesses located in the EC declared area] that are considered to be viable in the long-term, but for the exceptional circumstances, are experiencing financial difficulties.

Primary producers and small businesses should not self-assess their eligibility for EC support, rather seek assistance from a Rural Financial Counsellor. Applications for the first year of IRS support for farm businesses close on 2 July 2008.

To make an appointment with a Rural Financial Counsellor, ring 1800 836 211 for a counsellor in your area. Alternatively application forms can be down loaded from www.pir.sa.gov.au and submitted direct to PIRSA by the farmer or small business.
Information breakfast for citrus growers Top

A breakfast to inform citrus growers about the National Water plan and other issues will be held at the Loxton North Sporting Club at 7.45 am on Thursday 12 June.

Topics and guest speakers are:

  • Karlene Maywald MP, Member for Chaffey & Minister for the River
    Murray and Water Security – a brief update on the National Water
    plan and water issues, including question time.
  • Peter Walker – Riversun Chairman, 2008 US Season preview.
  • Peter Crisp – SARDI researcher – update on thrips project.
  • Kym Thiel – “Manage Today, Plan for Tomorrow” Irrigator project.

RSVP before Tuesday 10 June for catering purposes. Further information and/or to RSVP, telephone Kym Thiel (Riverland Citrus IDO/Cittgroup Co-ordinator) at Citrus Growers SA on 8582 1546 or 0417 800 937.
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.
 
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