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| SA Drought E-News 26th June 2008 |
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| Fuel tax credits expands |
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From 1 July this year many primary producers will be able to claim additional fuel tax credits, and some others will be able to claim tax credits for the first time.
The Australian Taxation Office is encouraging businesses in the agriculture industry to find out if they can save money on their business fuel costs. In the past, farmers have only been able to claim fuel tax credits for diesel used in farming equipment and machinery and for diesel and petrol used in heavy vehicles such as trucks.
Under the expansion, fuel tax credits can be claimed for the majority of fuel (including petrol) used in your farming equipment or machinery. You may also be able to claim for a range of new activities too. More information: www.ato.gov.au/fuelschemes
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| Forum for emerging EP drought issues |
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The Eyre Peninsula Drought Task Force at a recent meeting resolved to meet more often and more regularly, to ensure that issues arising as the current growing season develops are addressed.
PIRSA’s Eyre Peninsula Drought Co-ordinator, Brenton Parsons is available to be the contact point for any person wishing to inform the Task Force of emerging issues.
Brenton can be contacted on:
C/- PO Box 36, Cleve SA 5640
Phone: (08) 86282004
Mobile: 0427398888
Email: bparsons@cleve.sa.gov.au
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| Dean Brown visits Far North |
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The Premier’s Special Advisor on Drought, Dean Brown, and the Northern Areas Drought Co-ordinator, Liz Connell, have recently visited the Far North, meeting landholders at Maree and Oodnadatta and the Marla community at a Coober Pedy meeting.
About 90% of the pastoralists from the region were represented at the meetings. Feedback included that most of the properties had now destocked, after being in drought for about eight years.
While people felt they were well equipped to support each other, concerns included high costs of diesel adding to the costs of doing business in an isolated area, cost of freight which includes food, livestock etc. and energy costs. The control of feral animals and roads and infrastructure were also identified as an issue, exacerbated by the drought.
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| Help to manage today, plan for tomorrow |
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Citrus Growers South Australia has been contracted to help horticulture irrigators from the Murray access the financial and agronomic information they need to make business decisions in the face of reduced water availability.
Through the project, growers are able to access one-on-one free, confidential sessions with local Extension Providers who have a background in horticulture or finance. It is available to all horticulture irrigators, not just citrus growers.
The service is designed to help growers manage their business today and plan for tomorrow. In South Australia, Rural Solutions SA; Craig Swanbury from Fruit Doctors; James Altman; Mike Redmond and Terese Reeves of Grow SA are the extension providers.
The service is part of the Australian Government’s program of drought relief in the Murray Darling Basin and is being managed by industry in partnership with Horticulture Australia Ltd (HAL). Contact Kym Thiel, Citrus Growers South Australia. Email: citido@riverland.net.au. Telephone (08) 8582 1546 or 0417 800 937. More information: www.horticulture.com.au/mdbdroughtinfo
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| Top up and levy relief for irrigators |
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About $2.5 million in financial relief for water transfer applications and natural resources management water levies will be provided to River Murray irrigators whose licences are restricted in 2008-09.
This relief includes:
- More than $1 million in NRM Water Levy relief, provided as an ex-gratia payment equal to 50% of the NRM Water levy for each licence.
- Waiving about $1.5 million in application feeds for licence holders seeking to transfer additional water or to convert existing water allocations to “top up” their restricted water allocations.
In addition the NRM Water Levy will not be charged for any water transferred into South Australia from interstate during 2008–09. A media release from the Minister for the River Murray, Karlene Maywald, has been posted at: www.sa.gov.au/drought
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| Murray Water Resources Report |
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River Murray storage volumes remain low, with a total storage of 1986 GL (21% of capacity). During May 2008, about 80 GL flowed into the River Murray system, compared to the long-term May average of 390 GL.
The latest River Murray Water Resources Report issued on 20 June 2008 by the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation says salinity and water levels remain relatively stable upstream of Lock 1. However, low flows into South Australia mean that below Lock 1 water levels remain low and salinity levels remain high. The full report is available on line at: http://www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/murray/drought/index.html#RiverMurraywaterresourcesreports
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| Opening allocation reminder |
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River Murray irrigators are reminded that they will begin the 2008-09 water year on Tuesday, 1 July, with a 2% opening allocation and access to 50% of their approved carry-over water volume.
While 80 GL has been set aside so far to meet carry-over commitments, once the final meter readings for 2007-08 are completed next month, it is anticipated that up to 80% of carry-over will be available from 1 September.
Further information about water allocations and conditions in the River Murray is available at: http://www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/murray/drought/index.html
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| Port Stanvac desal plant progress |
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The State Government and Exxon Mobil have signed a lease agreement to locate the $10 million pilot desalination plant at Port Stanvac.
Access to a 2500-square metre site north of the Mobile Port Stanvac wharf has been agreed. Contractors have started assembly of the intake and outfall pipelines for the pilot plant. A media release has been posted on the drought website: www.sa.gov.au/drought
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| Riverland Response Centre opens |
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A one-stop shop to provide access to agencies that offer drought services in the region has been opened in Berri.
PIRSA’s Riverland Drought Co-ordinator Barb Cowey, said the centre, at 7 Wilson Street, aims to provide an opportunity for all people to find out what’s available to assist with the drought in a friendly, non-threatening environment. Rural Financial Counsellors, community health counsellors, Riverland division of general practice mental health co-ordinator, small business impacts officer, and a water expert are currently based there.
Workspaces are available for people who need a base to provide services in the region. More information: 0488 951 790
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| Riverland Expo reminder |
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| The Riverland Expo, where about 35 exhibitors will promote a broad range of information on available drought services and assistance in the region, will run from 10.30 am to 4.30 pm on Friday 27 June 2008 at the Renmark Hotel. |
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| Drought Reach program for women wraps up |
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| The final two Women’s Information Service Drought Reach sessions are being held on Friday 27 June. One is being held at the above Renmark Expo and another is in Port Augusta from 11 am to 3 pm at the Cooinda Conference Room, Flinders Terrace. More information: www.officeforwomen.sa.gov.au |
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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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