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| SA Drought E-News, 4th September 2008 |
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| Drought Youth Leadership Program success |
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Thirteen young people from across rural South Australia are taking part in Drought Youth Leadership Program Two. The first four days of the six day residential program began at Glenelg where the participants were involved in sessions including leadership characteristics and behaviours, understanding self, creating a vision, personal resilience, understanding and helping others, values, motivation and self esteem.
Field trips later in the week to Barossa and Kuitpo Forest helped them understand the need for supporting others and to learn how others support them. The participants reported they feel motivated to go back to their communities and industries revitalised to tackle some of the challenges that lay ahead. A follow up session in October will further develop leadership and networks.
Those that missed out on the Drought leadership programs this year may be interested in registering for next year’s SA Rural Leadership Program. Contact Lib Hylton Keele, Rural Affairs, PIRSA: hyltonkeele.lib@saugov.sa.gov.au
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| Murray catchment inflows remain low |
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The latest River Murray Water Resources Report from the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation reports that August rainfall was below average across the upper Murray catchment; however, inflows during the month have led to a small increase in the water available for sharing between the states.
This small increase and any further improvements due to good rainfall in late August, mean that irrigation allocations are likely to increase by at least 2% from 1 October 2008. An announcement on irrigation allocations will be made on 15 September 2008 as is the usual practice.
Despite these small improvements, River Murray system inflows remain critically low and the outlook for the River Murray system remains serious. Prospects for the coming season are still dependent on rainfall and runoff that are yet to happen. In other observations:
- Flows to South Australia are currently averaging 2 000 ML/day and still provide for a flow past Wellington of 900 ML/day into Lake Alexandrina.
- Due to recent rainfall and inflows from some Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges tributaries the water level in Lake Alexandrina has improved by over 200mm since June 2008. However, acidification remains a threat to the Lower Lakes.
View the full report
Meanwhile, the Murray Darling Basin Commission’s latest Drought Update is available at www.mdbc.gov.au
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| Possible irrigation allocations during 2008-09 |
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A series of projections have been produced for irrigators which show possible monthly increases to River Murray water allocations under various inflow scenarios during 2008-09. The latest Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation projections show that there is a 75% chance of allocations increasing to 34% by the end of May 2009.
DWLBC updates these projections on a monthly basis. Planning decisions should take into account current inflow conditions and meteorological predictions. View the latest projections in full.
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| Ferry update |
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New advance warning signage has been installed to advise ferry users of maintenance work and weight restrictions on each ferry below Lock 1. Ferries are being affected due to low water levels in the Murray.
A Ferries Working Group was set up a few months ago by the Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI) to advise the community on issues. A meeting at Murray Bridge heard an update on the health of the river Murray following recent rains, an overview of the ferry network, including traffic volumes at each location.
DTEI is continuing to work with Murraylands Tourism Marketing on a range of initiatives, including working with local station 5MU to broadcast the daily status of the ferries. The next meeting of the Ferries Working Group is scheduled for later this month.
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| Drought bus on the road again |
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The Australian Government’s drought bus, providing information on drought aid and support services, will be visiting South Australia again later this year at the following towns and dates (site locations to be advised later):
- Moonta - Tue 18 November, 9.30 am – 4.30 pm
- Maitland - Wed 19 November, 9.30 am – 4 pm
- Stansbury - Thur 20 November, 9.30 am – 3.30 pm
- Port Wakefield - Fri 21 November, 9.30 am – 2.30 pm
- Port Broughton - Mon 24 November, 10.30 am – 4.30 pm
- Merriton - Tue 25 November 9.30 am – 4.30 pm
- Naperby - Wed 26 November, 9.30 am – 4.30 pm
- Murray Town - Thurs 27 November, 9.30 am – 4 pm
- Berri - Tue 9 December, 9.30 am – 3 pm
More information
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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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