To help increase the capacity of rural communities particularly in the area of leadership succession, a young farmers drought program planning session will be held on Tuesday 18 March.

The planning session, from 10–3pm at the Rydges South Park, 1 South Terrace, Adelaide, will identify key concerns and issues amongst young people (18–35 years) involved in primary industries in South Australia, and particularly those living and working in areas affected by the drought.

It will also contribute to the content for the 2008 DROUGHT PROGRAM - skilling young people involved in primary production. 

It is hoped that a broad representation of people from a variety of rural industries, ages and skills will participate in the planning session. Not only to share their knowledge of how they believe the drought has affected young people across rural South Australia but also to consider support strategies for young people involved in primary industries.

If you are 18–35 years of age, please consider putting in an expression of interest, or pass this information on to people in this age group and encourage them to be involved.

For further information, contact Astrid Tiller, 8638 4788 or 0428 897 435, or email astrid.tiller@health.sa.gov.au

The three month outlook for March, April and May released by the Bureau of Meterology (BoM), predicts a wetter than normal season for eastern parts of South Australia into Western NSW.

According to BoM, the chances of exceeding the median rainfall during this period are between 60% and 65% in a band extending from central SA to the far west of NSW. It is largely due to continuing higher than average temperatures in the central southeastern Indian Ocean, with more influence coming from the Indian Ocean.

Computer models also indicate that the La Nina weather pattern, responsible for the wet weather in the Eastern states, is likely to persist until the end of autumn.

For the rest of the state there is a 45% to 55% chance of exceeding the three month median rainfall, meaning that the chances of being wetter than normal are about the same as the chances of being drier.

For further information on the outlook visit: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/ahead/rain.seaus.shtml

The State Government has announced the establishment of an Office for Water Security to provide a single point focus for water security planning across Government.

In a statement to Parliament, the Premier Mike Rann said the Office will build on the work of the past year and will be headed by the Commissioner for Water Security. It will co-ordinate water policy development across Government and support the Minister for Water Security, Karlene Maywald in the following areas:

• South Australia’s negotiations on the National Plan for Water Security
• Driving South Australia’s commitments under the National Water Initiative
• Developing a comprehensive state-wide water security plan that builds on and incorporates Water Proofing Adelaide

In addition, the Premier announced combining the Water Security Advisory Group and Task Force to form a new Water Security Council.

The Council, which will be chaired by the Minister for Water Security, will provide an ongoing formal vehicle for issues of strategic importance on water security, including supporting an integrated approach to natural resources management. It will also consist of Chief Executives of key State Government agencies including the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, SA Water, Department of Premier and Cabinet, Department of Treasury and Finance, Department of Environment and Heritage, Primary Industries and Resources SA and Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure.

The State Government has advised that irrigation allocations will remain unchanged at 32% in South Australia.

Minister for the River Murray Karlene Maywald said despite widespread rain and flooding in some parts of Australia, the inflows to the Murray-Darling Basin shared system in January and February have only marginally increased. At the same time the dry conditions that the State is still experiencing are impacting on water supplies.

In total South Australia has now been allocated 1052 gigalitres of water from the River Murray system with 350 gigalitres allocated to critical urban needs and irrigation and 702 allocated for dilution, reserves and losses.

Minister Maywald reminded irrigators that, if they require additional water for use in 2007–08 or for carryover, at this stage interstate water markets close on 30 April for all trades. Irrigators must also advise the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation of carry-over volumes in March. No late applications will be accepted.

For further information visit: http://www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/murray/drought/index.html#Carryoverwater

Seventeen regional communities are receiving filtered water from the River Murray for the first time through Stage 3 of the $54m Country Water Quality Improvement Program.

Minister for Water Security Karlene Maywald said under the latest stage of the program, nine new water treatment plants and six pipelines were constructed near the Murray. Townships now receiving filtered water are Tungkillo, Kanmantoo, Callington, Swan Reach, Cadell, Blanchetown, Palmer, Mannum Country Lands, Moorook, Kingston-on-Murray, Cowirra, Neeta, Pompoota, Mypolonga, Wall Flat, Glossop and Monash.

The first pipeline from the existing Mount Pleasant plant to Tungkillo came online in October last year while the remaining water treatment plants and pipelines commenced taking on water last month (January).

Originally set to be completed by the end of 2008, the State Government in late 2006 announced the project would be fast-tracked so communities could receive filtered water at the start of 2008, in case of water quality issues in the Murray brought on by drought.

For more information visit http://www.sawater.com.au/SAWater/WhatsNew/MajorProjects/country_water.htm

A new Horticulture Irrigation Industry project aims to provide irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin with access to agronomic and financial information to assist in making important business decisions.

The project, to be run by Horticulture Australia Limited, and funded by the federal Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, will work closely with a range of industry groups, government and non-government agencies.

The project will support horticulture irrigators and aims to increase the capacity of the industry to deal with water scarcity.

More information on this project will be available as it comes to hand.

Small rural communities affected by drought can look towards a more sustainable future with the help of the ‘Seeds of Renewal’ program. Independently administered by the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) and proudly supported by ANZ, the grant program aims to assist small rural communities by funding projects and activities that aid the growth of their communities.

Grants of up to $10,000 are available and priority will be given to projects within drought-affected communities in an EC declared region. Applications can only be made from not-for-profit organisations with an ABN and projects must focus on regional communities with a population of 15,000 people or less.

Applications close on 14 May 2008 and must be submitted by post only.

For more information: Freecall 1800 170 020, email info@frrr.org.au  or visit
www.frrr.org.au/programsDetail.asp?ProgramID=1

A free on-line manual is now available to assist organisations, communities and individuals to help communities cope through the difficulties of drought. The manual, developed by the Victorian Department of Human Services can assist in planning and organising  local activities that can strengthen communities during periods of continuous drought. It can also be a valuable resource for communities that are experiencing other types of prolonged distress.

To download a copy visit: www.health.vic.gov.au/pcps/downloads/countering_drought.pdf

Correction to article included in SA Drought E-News, 14th February 2008

The Irrigation Management Grant is available to allow eligible irrigators to access funding to implement a range of water management strategies. For fruit growers, provided they continue to be an irrigator, this may include bulldozing abandoned groves as part of their plan to improve water use efficiency. Some irrigators may have already accessed some or all of the $20,000 grant to complete this or other activities. The total amount paid cannot exceed $20,000.

For further information contact the Murray-Darling Basin Assistance and Referral Hotline on 1800 050 015, visit your local Customer Service Centre or access www.centrelink.gov.au

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.

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