The Murray-Darling Basin is currently experiencing the worst drought on record. Water levels in the River Murray have dropped in South Australia, particularly between Lock 1 (at Blanchetown) and the Murray Mouth. These low water levels have exposed wetlands, areas of riverbank and parts of the Lower Lakes that have been submerged since the locks, weirs and barrages were completed in 1940. This has resulted in the formation and exposure of acid sulfate soils in some of these dried areas, and other areas are at risk of developing acid sulfate soils.

If detected and managed appropriately, acid sulfate soils do not pose any major risk. However, if disturbed and left unmanaged, these soils can pose risks to humans, the environment, stock and development.

It is important that all landholders can recognise acid sulfate soils and know what action to take if they identify these soils on their property. An information sheet has been produced containing the latest information about acid sulfate soils along the River Murray and around the Lower Lakes. This information sheet is available at www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/murray/drought/index.html or by contacting the Drought Link hotline on 180 20 20.

The drought continues to impact on water resource availability across the southern Murray-Darling Basin. While River Murray inflows have been better than the 2006–07 levels, they still remain well below the long-term median inflow.

River Murray inflows during December 2007 are expected to be about 100 GL, compared to the long-term median inflow for December of about 360 GL. The volume of water in storage continues to decline and is currently 1,782 GL (19% capacity).

River operations are currently focused on minimising evaporative losses through the disconnection of wetlands and the lowering of some weir pools upstream of the South Australian border. Flows to South Australia will be increased to 4,100 ML/day for December 2007.

The Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation’s latest Water Resources Report will be available this Friday from: www.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/murray/drought/index.html

An initial meeting of regional leaders from peak organisations in the Riverland has endorsed the formation of the Riverland Drought Task Force to:

• provide apolitical regional leadership and promote collaboration between regional organisations;
• provide strategic integrated advice to government about drought response, recovery and renewal above Lock 1;
• ensure that the regional community receives accurate and timely information about support services that are available; and
• be a catalyst for renewed regional structures and organisations that will provide industry and community leadership.

It is envisaged that the group will add a higher level of influence and decision-making in the region and complement and coordinate with existing structures and organisations.

A further meeting is planned to bring together the final membership and to start getting down to business.

The festive season can be a stressful time and for those people already dealing with drought-related stresses, it can be particularly challenging.

But there are things you can do to make Christmas as stress free as possible. Here are some more tips from Country Health, following from last week’s tips.

Alcohol
Stay below 0.08 for your brain’s sake. This is the level when your thinking brain begins to be significantly affected by alcohol. If you are used to drinking, you are unlikely to notice this.  The variation in how people are affected by alcohol is significant. As a guide, it takes your body one hour to get rid of one standard drink, so you may drink a couple in the first hour, however one drink an hour after that will maintain the level.

If you are going to drive, make sure you stay below the legal limit which is 0.05. But remember, you can be caught driving under the influence even if you blow below 0.05 if you are considered to be affected by alcohol. So consider an alcohol-free Christmas.

Lose the cynicism
It is easy to be cynical these days, but it’s an unhealthy way of thinking. If you carry cynicism with you, you will miss the good parts of life.  Be aware of your thoughts so you can catch yourself when you are cynical.

Choose who you spend time with
Spend time with people who are mentally good for you. These people help you feel good about yourself.  It’s tempting to put the needs of others before our own. By spending equal or greater time with those who leave you feeling good, you are less likely to fall into this trap. You don’t have to be rude to others with needs – just assertive.

Set limits
We are all driven by pressures around us to both provide and perform.  Saying “no” is not a weakness, but a strength. By setting clear and realistic limits, you can be in better control of your life.  This in itself is a stress relief.

Manage stress
To help manage your stress, eat well, always get enough regular sleep and get regular exercise at least three times a week.  Find a way to mentally relax. This might be yoga, meditation, prayer, reading or weeding the garden.

Plan
Be realistic rather than perfectionist and follow the KIS philosophy (keep it simple). Be assertive about what you will commit to and what people can expect. If they want more, they can do it themselves.

Spend for fun
We feel pressured to buy lots of expensive gifts. Work on lowering your family’s expectations of gifts and instead make the event special. They will probably appreciate not having to spend so much on gifts also. Generally when people recall a Christmas they really enjoyed it was good company and a nice environment – not the presents – that made it special.

Accept grieving
For many of us Christmas is a reminder of missing loved ones.  Make the grieving part of Christmas, don’t deny it.  This doesn’t mean you should dwell on the loss but make it a time to remember the good (and funny) times you had with the person.  Accept grief as a part of life in yourself and others.

Seek help
It’s important to seek help if you, or someone you know, are not coping. Call Rural and Remote Mental Health Services on 13 14 65 for support and assistance.

Centrelink has appointed three new Rural Services Officers (RSOs). Lloyd Wright started at the Berri office on 3 December, while Elke Unger (Mount Gambier) and Cheryl Wadsworth (Victor Harbor) both start on 7 January 2008. These three new appointments almost double the number of Centrelink’s RSOs. They join current RSOs based in Port Augusta, Murray Bridge and Berri.

RSOs are specialist rural staff who understand what farmers are going through, and can provide advice on payments and services.  In some cases, they can even travel to farmers’ homes and help them with applications and paperwork, or provide advice and counselling over the phone.

Rural Services Officers link farmers to Government assistance and support services and provide information and the latest drought support assistance to farmers and small business owners.

PIRSA’s River Murray Drought Response Team is urging irrigators along the River Murray and Lower Lakes to seek advice on the drought assistance measures that are available to them.

Interest rate subsidies of up to $100,000 a year are available to farm businesses and farm-dependent small businesses.
 
These grants are to help people manage their business debt, during the drought.
 
Farm businesses and farm-dependent small businesses where the owner contributes at least 75% of his/her labour to the business and receives at least 50% of income from that business may be eligible.
 
An off-farm non-business asset limit of $750,000 applies to the interest rate subsidies.
 
People are asked to contact either the Rural Financial Counselling Service SA on 1800 836 211 or Primary Industries and Resources South Australia (PIRSA) on 1800 182 235 for more information.
 
Farm families and farm-dependent small businesses may also be eligible for an income support payment.
 
Eligible couples can receive up to $775 a fortnight.
 
Centrelink can supply more information regarding eligibility and guidelines on 13 26 16.

Mr Bill Paterson has been appointed as the new presiding member for the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board.

Mr Paterson was the board’s deputy chairman and has been a community member of the board since its formation in April 2005. He was previously the Chief Executive of the Meningie and Coorong District Councils.

Mr Paterson’s appointment is for three years and he replaces David Wotton, who decided to retire after his three-year term.

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