Department of Primary Industries

Dry Seasonal Conditions in Rural

Report: 63 February 8, 2007

DPI staff supporting the community at a Mallee Drought Information Expo. (February 2007). Source: L. Jacka

Environmental Indicators

Weather Rainfall December 2006 had below average rainfall across the state with parts of the south west and east of the state receiving well below average rainfall. A significant area of the north east had the driest December on record (Figure 1). 2006 was a very dry year in south east Australia, with a number of places receiving record low annual totals and a number of other places receiving less than half their usual rainfall. The year will be remembered for being the 10 th consecutive year with below normal rainfall. It was the third driest year on record for Victoria. This is in marked contrast to the north and west of Australia where rainfall was well above average. In January 2007 the west of the state received above average totals while the east of the state was below average (Figure 2). Most of the rain fell between the 19 th and the 22 nd . The highest rainfall total recorded for the month was Casterton Showgrounds with 172 mm.

DSC Report 1 Figure 1. Victorian rainfall deciles 1 month (December 2006)

National Climate Centre Bureau of Meteorology

Figure 2. Victorian rainfall deciles 1 month (January 2007)

National Climate Centre Bureau of Meteorology

Temperature In December 2006 day time temperatures were generally 1-2ºC above average and nights were 1-3ºC below average. A cold burst from Dec 24 th produced cold conditions for the Christmas period and snow was reported in some regions of the state.

In 2006 Victorian day time temperatures averaged mostly about a degree above normal, whilst night time temperatures averaged about half a degree below normal. There were some severe frosts during the year. In , there were some notable individual extremes - for example, the earliest 30+ degree day in spring, the earliest 35+ degree day in spring, and the coldest Christmas Day on record. Australia-wide it was the 11 th warmest year since records started in 1910.

In January 2007 nights were 1-2ºC above average across the state. Temperatures during the day were above average in January, more so in the east.

Seasonal outlook The Bureau of Meteorology’s Seasonal Outlook (Jan 23 rd ) shows a moderate shift in the odds towards above average falls in western Victoria and also along parts of the central coast (Figure 1). The probability of exceeding median rainfall is 60-65%, however the outlook has low skill for this time of year. The temperature outlook for the February to April period shows that below average maximum temperatures are favoured over the western half of Victoria. The Southern Oscillation Index for December was -3 and for January was -7. The neutral SOI is one of a few indicators which show that the current Pacific El Niño pattern is beginning to weaken.

DSC Report 2 Water storages Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) On Dec 22 nd G-MW confirmed that further improvements in water resources would be directed into allocation improvements rather than season extension. On Dec 16 th they increased water allocations by 1% at Goulburn (up to 24%) and Broken (up to 66%). On Jan 15 th they increased the Broken by 5% (up to 71%). Distribution losses in the Murray System have meant that the end of the irrigation season will be brought forward to April 23 rd in the Torrumbarry System and to April 30 th in the Murray Valley system. The season usually ends on May 15 th . Pending Ministerial approval, G-MW also expect to release an additional 7,000 ML of environmental water for sale into the Goulburn System. It is anticipated that this will be released later in February and the release will be staged over a month. Southern Rural Water (SRW) Lake Glenmaggie held just 12.8% of capacity at the end of December which is the lowest storage figure recorded at this time in the last 30 years. Macalister irrigation allocations remain on 45% for the Northern, Eastern and Tinamba/Riverslea areas. However, on Dec 19 th SRW increased the allocations for those below the Cowwarr Weir (Thomson River, Rainbow Creek and Nambrok Denison) by 5% (up to 50%). These irrigators are able to access water from the Thomson River.

Storage Change in Capacity Storage Change in Capacity last 2 months 6/02/07 last 2 months 6/02/07 Goulburn Basin -5% 12% Thomson/ LaTrobe Basin -8% 26% Broken Basin -8% 17% Werribee Basin -3% 11% Campaspe Basin -2% 3% Glenelg/ Basin -1% 5% Loddon Basin -2% 21% Maribyrnong -1% 5% Upper Murray Basin -10% 16% Barwon Storage -5% 24% Ovens Basin -28% 34% Source: http://www.fishvictoria.com/pnews/water_levels.php Victoria’s rural storages ended 2006 at 17.6% of capacity, 31.5% lower than last year. Streamflows At the end of December 2006, over 80% of the state had streamflows that were below 10% of the long term average flow for the month. At nearly two-thirds of the gauged stations the flows were the minimum ever recorded during December. More than half the stations recorded no flows by the end of December. In January 2007 the River Murray System recorded the lowest inflow on record for the 8 th consecutive month. The primary catchment area in the east received average to below-average rainfall in January. Water management Federal Government $10 billion water plan On January 25 th the Prime Minister announced a $10 billion, 10 point plan on a national scale to improve water efficiency and to address the over-allocation of water in rural Australia, particularly in the Murray-Darling Basin. Victorian changes New permanent trading rules (18 Dec 2006) will require a seller's allocation of water to be at least equal to the allocation levels that apply in the buyer's system, protecting other users in the system receiving the traded water. Under the previous rules, if 100 ML of Goulburn entitlement (24% allocation) was permanently traded to the Victorian Murray system (95% allocation), the buyer received 95 ML of allocation in the current season, while the seller only held 24 ML of allocation. The shortfall of 71 ML affects all users. Sellers can ‘top up’ their water prior to transfer or buyers can elect to surrender the shortfall volume. Permanent interstate water trade between Victoria and New South Wales will commence on 1 January 2007. Access fees and termination fees will be calculated and implemented by 1 July 2007 and exit fees will also be removed by this date. Up until removal of exit fees, they may be avoided by buyers and sellers contracting to use temporary trade processes followed by a permanent transfer. The Department of Sustainability and Environment and water authorities are consulting with irrigators, other water users and environment groups about a proposal to allow carryover of water to next season in the Murray and Goulburn systems. Under current arrangements, water that isn’t used at the end of the season goes back in a communal pool for the whole system.

DSC Report 3 A plan to bypass the Barmah Choke to allow faster delivery of irrigation water is likely to be supported by the federal government’s $10 billion water plan. This would allow unrestricted trade from upstream to downstream of the Choke and allow water to be more easily traded between the Murray and Goulburn systems. The Choke currently limits the amount of water available downstream during periods of high flow. Fire The number of fires to January 7 th is 655 compared to the 30-year average of 401. The area burnt is 1,189,279 ha or more than 11 times the 30-year average. The large Gippsland / North East fires which commenced on December 1 st , 2006 have burnt over 1 million hectares. The Great Divide Complex North fire burnt 370,000 ha and is contained. The Great Divide Complex South fire burnt 677,000 ha and is contained. The fire burnt 31,000 ha and is under control. Losses to Jan 31 st include 51 houses, 1,700 livestock, 17,000 ha of pasture and crops, and 1,800 km of fencing. Fisheries Goulburn-Murray Water (G-MW) plans to pump down Lake Buffalo in order to maintain the water supply for the Ovens Valley. While some deep pools will remain as a fish refuge, rain events may mobilise sediments leading to poor water quality. DPI is considering issues such as how to manage fishing while low water levels prevail, and how best to ensure recovery of fish stocks once conditions return to normal. Lake William Hovell and Lake Nillahcootie are likely to be drawn down to low levels by the end of the irrigation season. Water is also being pumped from Coliban Reservoir to the adjacent Lauriston Reservoir. This places greater pressures on fish stocks remaining within these water bodies and innovative measures are required for their protection and management. Fires have caused increased sedimentation due to accelerated erosion and ash deposits in many parts of the state. Poor water quality can place additional stress on fish already suffering from summer temperatures and low water levels.

Social Indicators

DPI Drought Hotline The DPI / DSE Customer Service Centre received 383 drought related contacts for December 2006 and 343 for January 2007, compared to 628 in November 2006. Over December and January enquiries were from the South West (246), North West (154), North East (127), Port Phillip (91), Gippsland (43), interstate (20) and unknown (45). The major queries for December and January are listed below. FAQ’s used to answer customer enquiries Total Exceptional Circumstances 152 Retaining apprentices in rural areas 103 Drought information pack 69 Municipal Rates Subsidy 49 State financial assistance 38 Drought feeding of cattle and sheep 37 Stock containment areas 36 $5000 rebate for rural water users 35 Water tank rebate for GWMWater customers 30 Other queries made up the remainder of the calls Drought financial assistance Rural Finance Corporation reports 6,039 applications for the Exceptional Circumstances Interest Rate Subsidy have been received to date with 4,067 approved and 1,084 declined so far. Total value of the subsidies approved is $90 million with an average of $22,249. On December 13 th the federal government announced interim ( Prima facie ) Exceptional Circumstances (EC) assistance for farmers in Victoria’s South West. Victorian Government drought support For the 7 months to June 30 th , a total of $992,000 in Municipal Rate Subsidies was paid to EC relief payment recipients across 27 Shire and Rural City Councils. Councils have been paid $34,000 to administer the delivery of this additional drought assistance on behalf of the state government.

DSC Report 4 The state government has announced (7 th Feb) that farmers who have lodged applications with Centrelink for the EC relief payment, but have not yet had their application assessed, are still eligible for the rates subsidy. They need to contact their shire council as soon as possible to discuss their payment options. Farmers have previously needed an EC-relief payment receipt of approval from Centrelink before being eligible. Over the same period, a total of $759,000 in Water Tank Rebates was paid to GWMWater customers who did not receive a dam fill in winter 2006. A total of $332,250 in Drought Apprenticeship Retention Bonuses (first instalment) have been paid to 280 Victorian businesses to February 7 th . Members of the state government’s Drought Taskforce visited the South West on January 17 th .

Economic Indicators

Production figures and forecasts Forecast economic growth in Victoria in 2006-07 has been revised down since the May 2006 Budget , predominantly reflecting the impact of drought conditions on agricultural output. The Budget Update released December 20 th revised the estimate of economic growth from 3.25% down to 2.75%. The ABARE Australian Commodities Report (December 18 th ) forecasts that farm export earnings could decrease by around 8% to $25.4 billion for the 2006-07 season. The report suggests that canola, cotton, barley, dairy products and lamb will be hardest hit as a result of lower export volumes produced by the drought. Winter crop production is also forecast to fall by 62%. Livestock numbers are also falling dramatically; Meat and Livestock Australia has warned that national sheep numbers are expected to drop to their lowest levels in 60 years. Beef cattle numbers are also expected to fall by approximately 2.4% during 2007. Commodity prices and movements The Eastern Young Cattle Indicator has risen over the last month by 20 c/kg, up to 310.50 c/kg partly due to an increase in cattle demand from northern Australia. There has been a large drop in sheep and lamb yardings recently due to the post Christmas rains. As a result, prices have increased, particularly in the lamb market. The Southern Wool Indicator rose during January, however over the last week it was back slightly to 901 c/kg. This is thought to be a result of more wool being put into the market as producers try to take advantage of the higher prices. Early in January the AWB reduced its national pool estimated returns for many grades by $8, due to a significant decline in US wheat futures and cash prices. APW is now steady at $242/t. Temporary water trade prices on the Greater Goulburn System have come back from the record top of $950/ML on Dec 14 th.

Commodity prices This Week Last Week Last Month Last Year Wheat APW cash 1 310 310 290 170 Malting barley 1 325 325 345 166 Yearling steers (C3 180-220 kg) 2 301 296 278 350 Old pasture hay (Bairnsdale $/t) 2 190 190 190 85.00 Water rights (Greater Goulburn $/ML) 3 500.00 479.92 755.00 52.00

Grains are Portland cash price (except for APW pool) Stock prices are ¢/kg cwt Sources: 1 Weekly Times 2 Stock and Land 3 www.watermove.com.au

DSC Report 5

Regional Reports

Mallee Rainfall was variable across the Mallee, but average or better. Those who received more than 25 mm will retain some moisture for the coming season. Those with less will incur the cost of weed control with no benefit from the rain. Cultivation has been used as a cheaper option to control weeds, but is increasing the risk of erosion. Wimmera Some areas received their best rain even in 10 years. Spraying for summer weed control is using valuable water. The alternative of cultivation is putting soils at risk of erosion, particularly if more rain follows. The rain provided a temporary reprieve from water carting but this has now resumed. North Central Rain west of Maryborough was good for the lucerne, but elsewhere just settled the dust. Sheep and cattle are generally being fed sufficient to keep them in medium condition. The number of SCA’s is expected to double. An increasing number of farmers are carting from public supplies to water stock. Northern Irrigation Stock condition is deteriorating rapidly and feed supplies are running out. Some dairy farmers are struggling to afford the price of quality feed. Paddocks are visibly loosing cover in some places. Goulburn System dairy farmers will have trouble sourcing water this winter. Pears are maturing early and too small for export or canning. North East Paddocks are rapidly running out of feed and in some ground cover is critically low increasing the risk of erosion. Higher than normal numbers of animals are being sold and a percentage of store cattle are heading north to areas that have received rain. Blue green algae outbreaks are being reported in some farm dams. East Gippsland Vegetable crop growth has been limited by bushfire smoke limiting sunlight and crop plantings are down 30-40% on normal summer plantings. There is very little paddock feed available and no fodder reserves on many farms. Farmers are selling all but core breeding stock. Some farms are out of stock water and have sold all stock. West Gippsland Vegetable growers are struggling with irrigation shortages and lack of rain. Few areas have any green feed. Fodder is available, but expensive and cow condition is declining. The number of algal blooms in farm dams are increasing. Some farmers have run out of water and about 25% only have 4-6 weeks water left. Port Phillip Most summer fodder crops have failed or are producing at <10% of the expected level. Livestock condition, especially cattle, is starting to deteriorate. Only a minority of farmers have enough hay and grain to last to the end of autumn. Algal blooms are an issue and water carters are carting 2 to 3 times last year’s level. South West Seasonal conditions: Good rain events in January across much of region with areas from Heywood to Cavendish enjoying good runoff. Dry paddock feed is limited across the region. Some pasture has germinated on rain but is unlikely to survive. There is increasing interest in stock containment areas. Heytesbury dairy farmers are at risk of running out of water.

DPI response

Drought related activities held in the last 2 months State-wide • DPI staff representatives on shire drought committees across the state. • DPI staff across the state are being called into fire response and recovery roles. • 29 Jan - Bestwool / Bestlamb phone conference for land holders under EC and assistance available.

DSC Report 6 Mallee • 5 Feb - Mallee Drought Information Expo at Swan Hill. 25 attended. • 6 Feb - Mallee Drought Information Expo at Euston / Robinvale. • 7 Feb - Mallee Drought Information Expo at Walpeup. Wimmera • 7 Dec - Wallup TOPCROP meeting. • 13 Dec - Wallup - information on EC support. • 14 Dec - farmer meeting regarding EC and other support available. • 19 Dec - Birchip Cropping Group forum at Birchip: ‘Drought - dealing with the financial ramifications’. Supported by DPI. • 20 Dec - Birchip Cropping Group forum at Horsham: ‘Drought - dealing with the financial ramifications’. Supported by DPI. • EC updates in the Northern , West Wimmera and Horsham Rural City following the Prima Facie announcement. 14 Dec - Kaniva (200 attended), 20 Dec - Marnoo (20), Callawadda (20), Glenorchy (20+), Great Western (10), Stuart Mill (10), 21 Dec - Taylors Lake (45), Telangatuk East (25), 3 Jan - Goroke (20), Edenhope (50), Harrow (30+), 4 Jan - Clear Lake (40+), 5 Jan - (80), 16 Jan - (30) • 16 Jan - Horsham Rural City Drought Committee Meeting. • Ararat Rural City Council - ‘Stake your claim’ meetings where Centrelink met with producers to complete EC claim forms were held at Buangor, Ararat, Lake Bolac, Willaura, Streatham and Elmhurst. 90 attended, 50 applications made. People were very positive about the opportunity. • 23 Jan - Lubeck Exceptional Circumstances meeting. 20 attended. • 1 Feb - ‘Barley to beer and the food that goes with it’ at . 72 attended. • 7 Feb - Yarriambiack Shire Drought Committee meeting. North Central • 7 Dec - Quambatook Community Resource Group community support meeting. 60 attended. • 8 Dec - Campaspe Prime Lamb Producers Group visit to two SCA’s at Mitiamo & Serpentine. 8 attended. • 8 Dec - DPI drought management evening for small landholders in the Castlemaine area. 12 attended. • 12 Dec - DVC, Loddon Campaspe Regional Youth Affairs Network meeting to discuss youth in rural areas and drought. 21 attended. • 13 Dec - Timor Landcare and Maryborough Regional Bestwool Group field day on SCA’s. 20 attended. • 14 Dec - DPI field day with inspection of a SCA. 5 attended. • 16 Dec - Shire of Macedon Ranges drought committee. 22 attended. • 20 Dec - Northern Grampians Shire, St Arnaud drought community support meeting. 60 attended. • 20 Dec - Elders drought information day at Avoca. DPI presentation on SCA’s. 45 attended. • 7 Feb - Rodwells Bendigo field day on animal health and drought feeding. DPI presented. 70 attended. Northern Irrigation • 7 Dec - Follow up frost / drought meeting for service providers and horticulturalists in Shepparton. 20 attended. • 7 - 8 Dec - Water forums (in conjunction with GMW) in Kerang & Numurkah. 45 attended. • 14 & 15 Dec - Four ‘Feeding cows with Limited Pasture’ farm walks in the Murray System at Cohuna, Murrabit, Numurkah and Katamatite. • 11 Jan - Follow-up frost drought meeting with Fruit Industry service providers. • 23 Jan - “Strong Women, Strong Families” workshop organised by the Numurkah Community Health Centre and Drought & Social Recovery Committee Moira Shire. Included a presentation on DPI’s Dairy extension in the drought. • 25 Jan - Kyabram dairy discussion group - update on the hay and grain situation, seed availability and the financial assistance. 40 attended. • 29 Jan - The Loddon Shire and Goulburn Murray Water sponsored a social event on January 29 in Boort for the Loddon Valley Community to provide information about drought services, including DPI. 300 attended. • One-to-one visits for dairy farmers. North East • 9, 11 & 16 Jan - Rural City breakfast meetings. • Fire and drought recovery meetings at Tolmie, Jamieson, Merrijig, Cheshunt, Buffalo River (20 attended), and Mt Beauty (65 attended) - drought information has been presented at each of these. • Benalla Rural City hosted a series of community breakfasts at Lurg - 9 Jan (30 attended); Tatong - 11 Jan (45); - 16 Jan (35); Devenish - 18 Jan (40); Goomalibee - 23 Jan (42); Swanpool - 25 Jan (37).

DSC Report 7 Gippsland • 7 Dec - Yinnar community drought BBQ. • 5 Dec - Beef Improvement Association drought forum at Leongatha • 6 Dec - Macalister Irrigation District service provider forum #4, Maffra. • 7 Dec - Morwell “Occasional Counselling” workshop for service providers in Gippsland. • 8 Dec - GippsDairy Focus Farm Drought Management day, Labertouche. • 14 Dec - GippsDairy Focus Farm Drought Management day, Mardan. • 14 Dec - Project 3030 Yarra Valley group discussion looking at drought options and beginning to look at the recovery in autumn. • 19 Dec - Dairy farmer drought forum at Kooweerup. 90 attended. • 19 Dec - Dairy farmer drought forum at Trafalgar. 65 attended. • 8 Jan - Wellington Shire drought committee meeting. • 11 Jan - Gippsland Dairy industry drought committee teleconference providing 1:1 feed planning advice. • 19 Jan - Making the most of irrigation in a drought, field day at Yarram. • 23 Jan - Second dairy farmer drought forum at Trafalgar. 60 attended. • 2 Feb - Community meeting at Gormandale to discuss emergency water options. • 5 Feb - Service provider forums at Leongatha and Warragul. • 7 Feb - Monthly dairy farmer drought forum at Maffra. Port Phillip • 6 Feb - Second dairy farmer drought forum at Kooweerup. 90 attended. • 23 Jan - Recycled water meeting at Lyndhurst (Earth Tech). 10 attended. • 31 Jan - Agriwest regional drought forum at Gisborne. 19 attended. • 6 Feb - Second dairy farmer drought forum at Kooweerup. 85 attended. • Vegetable matter of Facts publications addressing dam water monitoring and managing salty water have been distributed to Ballarat and Werribee vegetable growers and will be distributed to other areas as needed. South West • 8 Dec - Drought workshop at Mortlake organised by Glenelg Hopkins CMA with DPI involvement. 40 attended. • 13 Dec - Drought workshop at Lismore run by DPI in conjunction with VFF - Drought feeding, water supplies, drought assistance. 40 attended. • 13 Dec - Drought workshop at Winchelsea run by DPI in conjunction with Upper Barwon Landcare Network. Topics include: drought feeding, water supplies, weeds, soil conservation and drought assistance. 20 attended. • 15 Dec - DPI ‘Brown Christmas’ workshop for dairy producers held at Glenormiston. Information exchange and social event. 90 attended. • 19 Dec - Pyrenees shire organised landholder drought meeting to discuss ‘Interim’ EC at Beaufort. Rural Financial Counsellor and DPI staff in attendance. 70 attended. • 20 Dec - Pyrenees shire organised landholder drought meeting to discuss ‘Interim’ EC at Avoca. Rural Financial Counsellor and DPI staff in attendance. 30 attended. • 4 Jan - Simpson drought forum for dairy producers organised by DPI staff. 60 attended. • 12 Jan - Corangamite shire organised meeting amongst water regulation bodies to discuss misinformation about water issues in community. • 22 & 26 Jan - Southern Grampians Shire held two drought meetings with DPI involvement at Coleraine and Dunkeld. Approximately 50 attended. • 30 Jan - Koroit drought forum. DPI, Centrelink and Rural Financial Counsellor participated. 55 attended. • 31 Jan - Glenelg Hopkins CMA and DPI drought field day for landholders in the Willaura/Moyston area, with an inspection of a stock containment area. • 1 Feb - Colac Otway Shire drought forum at Colac with representatives from DPI, water authorities, Centrelink and commercial suppliers and buyers. • 6 Feb - Corangamite Shire running “Drought relief – Make your claim day” at Camperdown with DPI and Centrelink involvement. • 7 Feb - Colac Soils and Fertiliser day run by dairy team. Local workshops planned Grain growing areas • A number of ‘Just Add Water’ workshops are planned for early 2007. Mallee • 8 Feb - Mallee Drought Information Expo at Hopetoun.

DSC Report 8 • 9 Feb - Mallee Drought Information Expo at Mildura. Wimmera • 15 Feb - Wimmera Region Drought service providers meeting (DHS chair). • 19 Feb - Horsham Rural City Council drought meeting. • 21 Feb - Ararat Rural City Council drought meeting. • Feb-Mar - ‘Just Add Water’ Agrigater workshops on financial risk management in drought at Lubeck, Rainbow, Gymbowen, Navarre, Apsley and Brim. • 15 Feb - Seasonal climate risk and outlook workshop at Rainbow. • 22 Feb - Seasonal climate risk and outlook workshop at Murtoa. North Central • 21 Feb - Royal Agricultural Society Vic Carcase Competition awards presentations. DPI presentation on lamb lotfeeding. • 28 Feb - DPI, Animal Health Bendigo Field day on OJD, animal health and drought feeding. • 13-28 Mar - Series of 5 Stockplan workshops planned across Victoria. Topic is long-term drought planning and recovery. Northern Irrigation • 15 Feb - General information on feeding strategies, autumn planning, Centrelink and RFC at Cudgewa. • Mid Feb - Six seasonal updates for the dairy industry. • 20 & 21 Feb - North East Regional Network (Dairy) ‘Making the most of autumn’ forums at Corryong, Sandy Creek and Moyhu. (Potential for an additional session in Benalla/Tatong area - 1 Mar). • Feb-Mar - “Strong Women, Strong Families” workshop at Katamatite and Picola. The nights are open to all women affected by the drought. • 1-7 March - Twelve pasture recovery farm walks for the dairy industry from Swan Hill to Wodonga. • 8 Mar - Fruit Industry service providers meeting. • Mar - Workshops on the affect this season will have on farm financial position and recovery for dairy farmers. • Apr - Mallee DPI CAS Sustainable landscapes and Agriculture development staff have developed and run a pilot planning workshop to assist Mallee irrigators with planning for the 2007/08 irrigation season. The full workshop program will now be rolled out in April, following the major harvest period. North East • 8 Feb - Mitchell Shire is conducting a drought meeting at Tooborac. • 8 Feb - Drought workshop Tallangatta Valley. • Extension staff are working on drought issues with existing groups. Gippsland • 12 Feb - Drought meeting at Omeo. • 12 Feb - Farm walk at Boolarra on getting ready for autumn & drought feeding livestock. • 15 Feb - Service provider drought forum at Maffra. • Late Feb - Mar - Dairy drought forums at Wonthaggi, Trafalgar, Traralgon and Bairnsdale. • 6 Mar - Farming Community Race Day at Sale. • Mar - Service provider updates at Warragul and Leongatha. • Ongoing farmer and service provider monthly forums at Maffra. • Ongoing dairy discussion groups focus on drought issues. Port Phillip • 8 Feb - Emergency water supply points review at Werribee. South West • 8-9 Feb - Southern Grampians Shire and DPI to host a drought stand at Beef Expo. • 20-21 Feb - Golden Plains Shire organising producer drought meetings at Mannibadar and Shelford with DPI representation. • 2 Mar - Mental health day for producers at Terang. Aiming for 300 people. DPI promoting and attending.

Dry season related staff training activities • 7 Dec - Morwell “Occasional Counselling” workshop for service providers in Gippsland. • 11 Dec - Victorian Dairy Team nutrition workshop. • 13 Dec - Mental Health First Aid Training, DPI Rutherglen. • 4 Jan - Agrigater testing day in Horsham to test the program prior to statewide information and planning days in February and March.

DSC Report 9 • 1 & 2 Feb - PCP Mental Health First Aid Training running in Horsham. Courses are planned for Hindmarsh, West Wimmera, and Yarriambiack in the next few months. Attendance is encouraged for DPI and private industry staff that are coming in contact with people feeling the grief and stress brought about by drought. • 8 Feb - PP&WP - CAS and other DPI Project Leader Teleconference. • 20-21 Feb - Grains staff will attend the GRDC updates with a focus on drought-related issues.

Media and Communication

Speeches 25 Jan 2005 - The Prime Minister’s Address to the National Press Club. I announce today a $10 billion, 10 point plan on a national scale to improve water efficiency and to address the over-allocation of water in rural Australia, particularly in the Murray-Darling Basin. Media releases 12 Dec 2006 - Small businesses urged to apply for EC assistance. Thousands of drought-affected small businesses are now able to apply for Exceptional Circumstances (EC) drought assistance. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry , Peter McGauran, said small businesses that derived at least 70 percent of their income directly from agriculture were eligible for the same income and interest rate support offered to farmers under the EC programme. 13 Dec 2006 - 90 percent of Victoria now in drought. (Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) An additional 8,700 farmers in the state’s south west can now apply to Centrelink for up to six months income support following the Australian Government’s announcement of interim EC assistance. 19 Dec 2006 - Carryover of water allocations under consideration. Irrigators in the Murray and Goulburn systems may be able to keep water that they don’t use in the current season for the next season as part of a drought response measure announced today by Water Minister John Thwaites. 20 Dec 2006 - Victorian economy on track despite drought and fire. The 2006-07 Budget Update shows the Victorian economy continues to grow despite increased pressures from the drought and bushfires impacting on large parts of the State, Treasurer John Brumby said today. 28 Dec 2006 - 78 drought infrastructure projects for North East The Minister for Regional and Rural Development , John Brumby, today announced 78 new local infrastructure projects in drought affected communities across north east Victoria. 31 Dec 2006 - Victoria and New South Wales finalise water trading. Water Minister John Thwaites and New South Wales Minister Ian MacDonald today announced that permanent interstate water trade between Victoria and New South Wales will commence on 1 January 2007. 7 Jan 2007 - Spinal injury warning as Victoria’s drought continues. Health Minister Bronwyn Pike today warned Victorians of the increased risk of spinal injury from diving into rivers and waterways which may be dangerously low due to the drought. 15 Jan 2007 - Drought relief for local sports facilities. (Minister for Sport and Recreation) Drought affected communities across Victoria are being given a helping hand to maintain swimming pools and sports ground facilities, thanks to a $1.9 million boost from the Bracks Government. 17 Jan 2007 - $10 million for regional Victoria to get on with business. The Minister for Agriculture, Joe Helper, today unveiled a new $10 million fund to attract new major industry and support existing industry expansion in regional Victoria. The new Regional Industry Investment Program would support major industries in Exceptional Circumstances-declared regions. 18 Jan 2007 - Snakebite warning as drought sinks its teeth in. (Minister for Health) Victoria’s snakes are moving to urban areas to look for moisture during the current drought conditions, increasing the need for Victorians to be prepared for a snake-bite emergency. 22 Jan 2007 - More drought support for Gippsland women. Gippsland women will benefit from a $675,000 Bracks Government grant to employ five workers to support rural women and their communities deal with the ongoing impact of drought, the Minister for Victorian Communities , Peter Batchelor said today. 25 Jan 2007 - Mallee Region Drought Information Expo. The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is facilitating a series of one stop shop Drought Information Expos for farmers to access the many agencies that are providing support, information and services. 7 Feb 2007 - Working together to assist South-West farmers. The Bracks Government has eased eligibility rules for a municipal rates subsidy to assist drought-affected farmers in the state’s south-west, Minister for Agriculture Joe Helper, said today.

DSC Report 10 Media headlines Weather • The west rejoices. Heavy falls boost confidence Stock & Land 25/01 - The Western Victorian community is rejoicing after summer rain delivered heavy falls of up to 150 millimetres and widespread falls of more than 50mm, proving to parched farmers in the Western District and Wimmera that it could rain again. Farming and agriculture • EC delay sparks sell-off fear Weekly Times 31/01 - More than 100 dairy farms in Victoria’s southwest are running out of water and federal government delays in approving drought funding may force them to sell their cows. The Heytesbury settlement region has not been approved for Exceptional Circumstances funding, despite enduring one of its driest seasons. • Software focus on drought recovery Weekly Times 07/02 - A new computer program to enable farmers to better manage production costs, planning, budgeting and recovery from drought is being developed by the Department of Primary Industries DPI project manager Carl Sudholz said the program was funded by the State Government Drought Initiative. • Sheep at record low Herald Sun 07/02 - The drought has cut the nation's sheep flock to 95 million, its lowest level in 60 years. Water • Water at $927/ML Country News insert 11/12 - "It's the highest I've ever seen temporary water in any system, anywhere." WaterNet sales manager Michael Downie was speaking last week as temporary water from the Goulburn System approached $900/ML. • The Big Dry Murray’s 100-year low Weekly Times 13/12 - The Murray River is experiencing its lowest inflows in more than 100 years. • Howard pumps up water grab Country News insert 29/01 - State premiers will be asked to hand control of the Murray- Darling Basin to the Commonwealth under Prime Minister John Howard’s $10 billion 10-year plan to save the nation’s water supply. Up to $3 billion will be spent on buying out irrigation licences in what Mr Howard describes as the biggest, most costly investment in national water management in Australian history. Also all major newspaper, TV and radio networks. Drought • Rural exports slashed as drought devastates farm incomes Australian Financial Review 19/12 - Australian rural exports are expected to fall 8 per cent this year to $25.4 billion, pushing farmers to their worst financial performance on record, despite higher commodity prices. • Drought to drive food prices higher in coming weeks The Age 11/01 - Shoppers are yet to feel the full effect of drought on grocery prices, with further rises expected in coming weeks. Drought financial assistance • Drought assistance for 8000 Hamilton Spectator 16/12 - An additional 8700 south-west farmers can now apply for up to six months income support, following the Federal Government's declaration of interim EC assistance in the region.

Compiled & edited by Katherine Hollaway and Ashley Wallace, and proofed by Drought Operations & Response Managers.

DSC Report 11