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| SA Drought E-News, 20th September 2007 |
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| EC extension for Upper North Cropping region |
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The Australian Government has extended the Exceptional Circumstances (EC) declaration for the Upper North Cropping region in South Australia until 30 September 2008. The declaration was due to finish in that region on 31 March 2008. The move was part of an extension in funding to 38 areas around Australia.
Other agricultural areas of South Australia that were more recently EC declared are: Kangaroo Island (until 31/3/2009); North West Rangelands (15/6/2009); Yorke Peninsula (31/3/2009); Clare, Light, Barossa (31/3/2009); Mid North (31/3/2009); Central North East (30/6/08); Western Eyre Peninsula (18/1/2009); Central Eyre Peninsula (18/1/2009); Lower Eyre Peninsula (31/3/2009); Murray Mallee (18/1/2009); Upper South East (18/1/2009); Fleurieu Peninsula (31/3/2009); River Murray Corridor and Lower Lakes (31/3/2009); Far North/South West Queensland (administered by Qld) (15/6/2008). Prima Facie EC declarations have been made for Central and Eastern Mount Lofty Ranges and the Lower South East.
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| New drought toolkit to help irrigators |
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River Murray irrigators now have access to a free electronic ‘Toolkit’ to help manage their water allocation and businesses through the drought.
The CD includes an extensive collection of local information and tools from interstate and overseas to assist irrigators utilise their water resources more effectively.
The Minister for the River Murray Karlene Maywald launched the Irrigator Toolkit at the Riverland Field Days in Renmark this week.
Resources available in the Toolkit include:
- Irrigated crop information for each crop.
- Water budgeting and trading tools.
- Salinity management.
- Links to the latest drought information.
- Business decision making tools.
- Technical information and support on government assistance and support.
The Toolkit will continue to be updated as new information is provided and can be downloaded from the Drought website www.service.sa.gov.au/drought.asp or by contacting the Loxton Research Centre on (08) 8595 9100.
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| Murray Mouth dredging continues |
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Due to the current ongoing drought and low flows in the River Murray, dredging of the Murray Mouth is likely to continue for some time.
The Minister for the River Murray Karlene Maywald says that since dredging began at the Mouth nearly five years ago, about five million cubic metres of sand has been moved, costing $27 million.
Minister Maywald says boating access past the Murray Mouth will again be available this summer as dredging continues but unlike previous years, there will be no access through the Tauwitchere or Goolwa barrages because of continuing low Lake Alexandrina levels.
Travel past the Mouth will be allowed during daylight hours from Friday, 28 September, until Sunday, 27 April 2008. A line of yellow buoys will surround dredging plant and equipment to establish an exclusion zone for boats.
For further information regarding dredging and boat access visit: www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/media.html.
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| Water trading rules through Barmah Choke |
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The Murray-Darling Basin Commission (MDBC) this week announced a relaxation of rules that will allow temporary allocations of water to be traded from upstream of the "Barmah Choke" downstream to other stretches of the River Murray. The move means there will be more water available for trade, including trade into South Australia.
MDBC Chief Executive Wendy Craik said the rules were being relaxed so entitlement holders who do not need water will be able to sell downstream where it is in greater demand. Water amounts traded under this arrangement are ‘allocations’ of actual amounts of water available this year.
Trade in ‘permanent entitlements’ will continue to be prohibited," Dr Craik said.
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| Mental health wellbeing - support resources |
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Country Health SA, in partnership with a number of stakeholders, has a range of preventative/promotional resources for country South Australians suffering the effects of drought. These resources are designed to help people to look after their mental health during these tough times.
Resources include: Taking Care of Yourself and Your Family; Vital Information for Drought Affected Communities (pamphlet); Drought Response Poster (A1) and Business style Cards; Rural Community Counsellor Service (brochure); Managing the Pressures of Farming (pack containing CD, Booklet and pamphlet), which can also be viewed online at www.aghealth.org.au/pressures, and click on the SA version.
To order resources, email your order, including your name, resource name/type, number requested, contact number, delivery address, and organisation/business name via email to: countrymentalhealth@health.sa.gov.au.
To view some of the available resources, visit the Country Health SA website at www.countryhealthsa.sa.gov.au/drought_response.asp, where you can also view pdf examples. You can also see reference to our resources at the Services SA website at www.service.sa.gov.au/ContentPages/sagovt/Drought.aspx, (listed under "General Information" at bottom of webpage).
For general information regarding resources, contact Geoff Cook, Country Health SA on Ph: (08) 8226 7215 or email geoff.cook@health.sa.gov.au.
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| Personal & Family Support Line - 1800 619 532 |
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The Personal & Family Support service 1800 619 532 is the first point of call for people experiencing personal and family problems, and those who are struggling to cope as a result of the current drought.
Designed specifically for people in rural communities, the support line provides advice, support and counselling on a 24/7 basis.
If you, or someone you know, is struggling and needs help and support, please call for advice and information.
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| KI sustainability program for small business |
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Environmental targets - including a 20% reduction in water consumption, a 10% reduction in the volume of waste to landfill and a 10% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions - are part of a new program to help small businesses on Kangaroo Island identify areas where they can reduce costs and environmental impacts.
Thirty-eight Island businesses will take part in the Business Sustainability program which involves audits, workshops and training.
The Environment Protection Authority is providing $50,000 towards funding the $90,000 program, with financial contributions from the Kangaroo Island Development Board, the Kangaroo Island Natural Resources Management Board, the Kangaroo Island Council, the South Australian Tourism Commission and the participating businesses.
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| Water Matters campaign to be launched |
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A Water Matters campaign to be launched by the Government of South Australia aims to raise awareness on SA’s water supply, recycling programs, desalination and storage options and encourage communities and households to be water smart.
The radio, television and print campaign will go hand in hand with the current education campaign on the slight easing of water restrictions for householders as we move into summer.
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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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