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| SA Drought E-News, 22nd November 2007 |
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| Work starts on Lake Bonney pipeline |
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Work on a $1.7 million permanent pipeline from Lake Bonney has begun. Minister for the River Murray, Karlene Maywald, said the 8km pipeline was part of the project to temporarily disconnect Lake Bonney from the river channel.
The pipeline will be connected to the existing Central Irrigation Trust system and will replace private pumps, which previously extracted water directly from the lake.
In addition to improving water quality and access, the pipeline will provide greater flexibility in managing Lake Bonney for improved long-term environmental, recreational and tourism outcomes.
The project is being managed by the SA Murray-Darling Basin NRM Board and funded by the Murray-Darling Basin Commission. The pipeline will be completed by March 2008.
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| River Murray drought response coordinator appointed |
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Riverland grape grower Jim Caddy has been appointed as the Drought Response Coordinator for the River Murray.
The appointment is part of the State Government’s commitment to extend the Drought Relief Program. Mr Caddy’s appointment follows that of Brenton Parsons as the Drought Coordinator for the Eyre Peninsula.
A grape grower in the Riverland for more than 20 years, Mr Caddy said he was hopeful that he would be able to make a difference by ensuring that people affected by the drought could access information, advice and assistance when they needed it.
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| Well-being during the drought |
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Five new rural community counsellors have been appointed by Country Health to assist local regions, bringing the current number to seven.
Three rural community counsellors have recently been appointed for the River Murray corridor. One counsellor, based in Renmark started work on 7 November and the two covering the areas of Waikerie, Blanchetown and the Murray Bridge/ Lower Lakes will commence in early December.
Another rural community counsellor has also started working with people in the Eyre Peninsula region.
A counsellor appointed for the Yorke Peninsula/ Clare region will start work in December. A counsellor for the Far North will be appointed at a later date.
These new counsellors join two others who have been working at Booleroo and Bordertown for the past three months.
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| Navigate with Knowledge |
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Boaters can now navigate the River Murray and Lakes with greater safety following the implementation of new interactive web maps.
Transport Minister, Patrick Conlon says the web maps, developed by the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI), are an innovative tool for boaters to use prior to undertaking river activities.
“With continuing low river flows, various objects are presenting a hazard to navigation so boaters need to take care and be aware of hazards before going on the water,” Minister Conlon said.
“Many objects including sand bars, the river bank, tree stumps, submerged structures and even boat wrecks are being exposed by low water levels.”
Boaters can access the hazard maps at: http://www.transport.sa.gov.au/safety/marine/rec_boating/rivermurray_and_lakes.asp
DTEI Transport Safety Compliance Officers will photograph and mark most new hazards in the navigation channel but it is impossible to identify every hazard.
“As the skipper you are responsible for the safe operation of your vessel and this means actively being on the look-out for hazards,” Minister Conlon said.
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| Help producers by keeping SA Fruit Fly Free |
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The Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Minister Rory McEwen has urged South Australians not to put any further burden on the state’s drought-affected fruit and vegetable growers by helping to keep South Australia fruit fly free this season.
“Irrigators along the River Murray are faced with extremely difficult times due to the severe drought,” he said. “With severe water shortages impacting on growers, the last thing they need is to have to deal with a fruit fly outbreak damaging crops, or the additional costs of having to spray fruit in an outbreak area before moving produce to market.”
Fruit fly can only come into SA via infested fruit or vegetables from interstate. Some fruit fly outbreaks in the past are likely to have been caused by people returning from trips and holidays with fruit and vegetables.
People also can not take home-grown fruit from elsewhere in the state into the Riverland. Only fruit and vegetables bought from a retailer in SA and accompanied by a receipt of purchase can be taken into the Riverland. This produce can then not be taken across the border into Victoria.
Quarantine restrictions and fines apply. More information: Fruit Fly Hotline: 1300 666 010 or
http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/planthealth/travellers
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| Handy Weather Bureau information |
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The Bureau of Meteorology’s website contains useful information within its Water and the Land pages for people involved in primary production, natural resources management, industry, trade and commerce. This special site has been designed as a repository for information for these sectors.
Information includes computer generated maps of forecast rainfall as well as data on cloud, temperature, wind, pressure, El Nino and La Nina, humidity, evaporation, sunshine, weather and climate. The latest three month forward projections are also available.
You can find the link for ‘Water and the Land’ on the left hand side of the Bureau’s home page www.bom.gov.au
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| EC workshops - South East |
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Workshops are being held in the Lower South East to provide information on:
- Exceptional Circumstances (EC) eligibility
- the application process for income support
- interest rates subsidies
- further assistance available from the Rural Financial Counselling Service of SA (RFCSSA) and Centrelink.
This is part of a series of workshops that have been running in EC declared areas across the State.
The RFCSSA, PIRSA and Centrelink are conducting the following sessions:
Monday 26 November
Mt Gambier: Presidential Motel, 10.30 am to 12 noon
Coonawarra: Chardonnay Lodge, 1.30 pm to 3.00 pm
For more information telephone 1800 836 211.
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| Irrigator workshops |
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| The latest seminars, workshops and field days of interest to irrigators are posted on PIRSA’s website on the drought page: www.pir.sa.gov.au/pirsa/drought |
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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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