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| Drought E-News, 7th August 2008 |
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| Productivity Commission visits SA |
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The Productivity Commission met with several South Australian groups involved in the drought response this week as part of its national inquiry on behalf of the Australian Government into the current government drought support arrangements in Australia.
The Commission has been asked to identify the most appropriate way for governments to assist farmers, farm businesses and farm dependent rural small businesses improve their self-reliance and preparedness for drought events.
Meetings were held over two days at Tumby Bay, Murray Bridge, Barmera and Burra.
More information: http://www.pc.gov.au/projects/inquiry/drought
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| Social impacts committee hearings |
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The Commonwealth Government’s expert panel to examine the social impacts of the drought on farm families and rural communities will hold four public meetings in SA in late August as part of its national forums.
The proposed forums will be at:
- Keith - Mon 25 August, 3 pm to 6 pm Keith Institute Hall, Heritage Street
- Gawler - Tues 26 August, 3 pm to 6 pm Gawler Arms Hotel, 102 Murray Street
- Orroroo - Wed 27 August, 9 am to 12 noon Blacksmith’s Chatter, Blacksmith’s Shed Cnr first and fifth streets
- Wudinna - Wed 27 August, 3pm to 6 pm Wudinna Community club, Medley Terrace.
More information, including an issues paper, is available from the Social Assessment website.
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| Free showerheads on offer |
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Householders in 10 local council areas can receive a free water efficient showerhead as part of a new trial exchange program launched by the State Government and the Local Government Association of SA.
Under the two-month trial, old and inefficient showerheads can be exchanged for new 3-star WELS rated models that can halve the volume of water used in the shower.
Councils included in the Swap and Save Showerhead Exchange Program trial are Marion, Mitcham, Charles Sturt, Campbelltown, West Torrens, Unley, Onkaparinga, Salisbury, Victor Harbor and Port Augusta.
If the trial proves successful, the initiative will be offered to all SA councils by the end of the year.
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| More than 750 attend drought meetings |
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| A series of River Murray drought public information sessions have been held this week to provide communities with the latest information about the drought and water security measures. About 300 people attended the session at Goolwa with about 150 people at each of the Murray Bridge, Langhorne Creek and Meningie meetings. Further meetings were being held at Waikerie and Renmark on Thursday. The Minister for the River Murray Karlene Maywald outlined the Murray Futures project initiatives and took questions from the floor which included water availability, and management options including the possible temporary Wellington Weir. |
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| Good crops growth slowed with frost |
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Crops generally put on good growth in July, but slowed later in the month with frosts, according to PIRSA’s latest summary of Crop and Pasture Conditions in South Australia.
The report, compiled by Rural Solutions SA, says moderate to heavy rainfall began to contribute to stored soil moisutre in some parts, however in many areas particularly on Eyre Peninsula, the Upper North and the Mallee, stored soil moisture remains low and ongoing rainfall is needed for the remainder of the growing season to maintain crop and pasture growth.
The full report is available at www.pir.sa.gov.au/cropreport.
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| Weir decision likely in September |
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A decision on whether a temporary weir is required below Wellington is likely to be made by the end of September.
The Minister for Water Security, Karlene Maywald, says the Murray-Darling Basin Commission is continuing investigations into all management options for the Lower Lakes and the MDB Ministerial Council expects to receive the results by the end of September.
Also, by the end of September, all jurisdictions in the Murray-Darling Basin will have a better idea of the volume of inflows from winter and early spring rains and whether they will be sufficient to improve water quality and quantity.
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| Testing starts for pilot desal plant |
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Adelaide’s pilot desalination plant has been switched on as testing of desalination technology for a full-scale plant begins.
Once testing and commissioning is complete, the pilot plant will begin monitoring seawater quality and collecting data on the performance of pre-treatment and filtration technologies required for the main 50-gigalitre plant.
Stage one of the pilot plant testing will run for 6-12 months to assess the pre-treatment process in a range of climatic conditions. Stage 2 will involve up to six months of reverse osmosis membrane testing.
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| Phone numbers for response Centre |
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The new contact numbers for the Riverland Response Centre are: telephone 8595 2351, fax 8595 2350.
The “one-stop” centre at 7 Wilson Street, Berri, provides access to agencies that offer drought services in the region.
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| Free science forums for MDB |
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A reminder that a series of free community Science Forums organised by the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board will be held across the Murray-Darling Basin region during Science Week from 19-22 August.
A full range of topics and forum locations at Mount Barker, Tailem Bend, Renmark and Burra, can be viewed at www.samdbnrm.sa.gov.au. See upcoming events on the home page. Seats are limited and can be booked through Miranda Leckie 08 8532 1432.
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Access and equity
The information in this publication can be provided on request to those who need it in an alternative format or another language. Contact PIRSA Communications and Marketing. Telephone (08) 8226 0539.
Contact us
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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