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Lower South East denied drought relief

Posted on February 16, 2009, 1:01pm and updated on February 17, 2009 at 8:04 am

Drought assistance has not been extended for small businesses and farmers in the Lower South East including Mount Gambier, Millicent, Penola and Robe.

The decision could lead to more farmers leaving their land prematurely, according to SA Farmers Federation natural resources committee chairman Tony Beck.

Mr Beck said the government argued farmers in the Lower South East could get jobs off farm in the timber and viticulture industries.

“But the timber industry is in freefall and the viticulture industry is doing it tough too,” he said.

Mr Beck, who farms a property at Mingbool, said people adjoining his property’s back fence were eligible for assistance and had been for several years.

That was because his back fence was on the Victorian — South Australia border, yet they experienced the same seasonal conditions.

“I am absolutely dismayed for the people who were receiving support through the drought assistance in the Lower South East,” Mr Beck said.

“The decision was obviously not based on fact or science.”

Mr Beck said in the South East opening autumn rain was vital during March, April and May.

Equally crucial were soaking spring rains in September, October and November.

But in March only 19mm was recorded at the Mount Gambier Airport compared with a 35mm average.

April saw 37mm against an average of 55mm and in May only 37mm fell compared with an average of 71mm.

The spring growth season was also poor.

Mr Beck said last year less than 65pc of the average rainfall was recorded in the Lower South East to November 30.

He said some December rain had ruined many hay and grain crops exacerbating the financial pain already being felt by many dairyfarmers as well as prime lamb and beef producers.

“I hope this does not lead to more farmers leaving or retiring prematurely from farming; there has been a steady stream of farmers leaving the land in the past few years,” he said.

Grant District Council Mayor Don Pegler, who farms a property at Kongorong, echoed these concerns.

Mr Pegler said the Western District of Victoria had similar seasons and he found the Federal Government’s exclusion of the Lower South East “very surprising”.

“I would have also thought that while the rainfall last year wasn’t back all that much, most of that rainfall fell in December when all the paddocks had dried off,” he said.

“It was too late to get any growth from the paddocks, hay yields were down and dry grass (for grazing) was leached because of the rain.”

Mr Pegler said he would support a review of the Federal Government’s decision.

Announcing the decision, Federal Agriculture Minister Tony Burke said the government had accepted independent advice for “dozens” of exceptional circumstances declared areas.

“We will continue to consult with farming and rural community groups on the national review of drought policy, but that is about better preparing farmers for future challenges,” he said.

Mr Bourke said drought assistance had been extended for the Upper South East which included farmers and small businesses in the Naracoorte, Lucindale, Kingston, Keith and Bordertown areas.

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