ACROSS THE OUTBACK

Number 45 September 2009 Produced for Outback SA

Airstrip projects take off Three outback airstrips in have received more than $3 million in government funding under the Remote Aerodrome Safety Program (RASP).

The tourism boom created by the flooding in Lake Eyre was a timely reminder of the importance of William Creek aerodrome, which was awarded more than $2.2 million towards the cost of resheeting and sealing the runway, taxiway and apron and to install lighting.

The $2.22 million project joins other upgrades at Marree and Marla, where federal grants ranging from $125,000 to $310,000 will be matched by the State Government, including: tourism, mining and pastoral industries as well as for small • completing the seal of the runway at Marla (total towns.’ project cost $620,000) Previous RASP program funding of more than $1.2 million • resealing the runway at Marree (total cost $250,000) has enabled upgrades of the Manna Hill and Glendambo It is anticipated standard landing fees will be charged at airstrips. all three aerodromes to assist in maintenance and life- Two stages of work at Manna Hill have finished and the cycle costs. upgrade of Glendambo aerodrome is expected to finish The Outback Area Community Development Trust’s by October. chairman Bill McIntosh says the upgrades at William Creek In partnership with the Department for Transport, Energy Marree and Marla will also help the pastoral, tourism and and Infrastructure, the Trust has been applying for the mining industries and take pressure off outback roads. grants every year since the four-year $20 million Safer ‘The upgrades at William Creek and Marla will greatly Runways in Remote Australia initiative was launched in enhance emergency response capabilities by providing 2007-08. virtually 24 hour, all-weather services to those areas. The Work required on remote outback aerodromes was Marree work is also important to maintain the existing identified in the Trust’s Outback Aerodrome Emergency sealed strip,’ he says. Preparedness Audit completed in 2006-07.

‘Increasing the number of sealed airstrips in the outback The fourth round of RASP applications will be considered also has important spin-off economic benefits for the in early 2010.

Across the Outback is published every second month for the Outback SA Government and Community Alliances. It is currently jointly funded by the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation (on behalf of the Pastoral Board); Primary Industry and Resources at Port Augusta; the SA Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board; the Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure; and the Outback Areas Community Development Trust.

Across the Outback is prepared and edited by Jenny Barker (SAAL NRM Board). Comments and suggestions are always welcome. Please contact [email protected] or 08 8463 3354 Pastoral Board

Pastoral Board and Program contacts:

The Pastoral Board of SA Prescott Building, Entry 5, Waite Campus Waite Road, Urrbrae SA SAAL NRM Plan discussed with the (GPO Box 2834, Adelaide SA 5001) Pastoral Board General enquiries: The August meeting of the Pastoral Board included a Phone - (08) 8303 9751 Fax - (08) 8303 9320 presentation from the SA Arid Lands (SAAL) Natural Resources Freecall - 1800 678 447

Management (NRM) Board on the development of the Specific contacts in Adelaide and Regional NRM Plan. Port Augusta: Presiding Member: Chris Reed, Presiding Member of the reports, lease assessments, change Michael McBride 0427 087 966 SAAL NRM Board and Hadyn Hanna, of land use to non-pastoral activities, Program Manager: Consultant, provided the Pastoral and native title issues. Glenn Gale (08) 8303 9345 Board with the opportunity to discuss the development of the Plan and to Pastoral Board forum at Burra Pastoral Board matters: provide feedback on the contents. Glenn Gale (08) 8303 9345 The next meeting of the Pastoral Board will be held in Burra on 14 Public Access to pastoral lands: Discussion focussed on several of David Oag (08) 8648 5174 the draft Management Action and 15 October. To coincide with the meeting the Board will hold an Public Lease Assessments: Targets proposed in the Plan that Craig Baulderstone (08) 8303 9752 involve assisting pastoralists with open forum for pastoralists from the sustainable grazing management Eastern Districts in the afternoon of Lease inspections and tenure Wednesday, 14 October. enquiries: and the provision of information on Chris Turner (08) 8303 9755 biodiversity management. According to Michael McBride, The SAAL NRM Boad will publicly Presiding Member of the Board, consult on the Plan soon. the forum will provide a great opportunity for pastoralists to get Other major topics discussed by to know the members of the Board Mr McBride said that pastoralists will the Pastoral Board at the August and to discuss any issues of concern be invited to an informal BBQ with meeting included lease inspection directly with Board members. Board members following the forum.

Pastoral inspections For the next three months the pastoral inspection program will focus on properties in the Eastern Districts area of the rangelands. Results to date from the program Pedy districts followed by Eastern If an upgrade of a fence is required indicate that while this area is in Flinders Ranges and the Far North. to accommodate an introduction a generally very dry condition, The Eastern Flinders is probably in of a different class or breed of pastoralists are adapting to the the driest condition. animal then the person responsible conditions by the reduction of stock for the introduction must pay for the numbers in affected areas. Boundary fencing policy upgrade.

The robust nature of the saltbush/ The Pastoral Board has accepted The upgrade required is to be bluebush plains and woodlands the wording for the new boundary negotiated between both parties in the area has maintained the fencing policy. but could include the addition stability of the soils and vegetation, of an electric outrigger wire or While other factors can contribute with nothing that a really good prefabricated fencing. to stock movement from property to soaking of rain could not fix. property, it is accepted that parties Further information After the three months, further either side of a boundary must Chris Turner inspections are planned for some contribute equally to a reasonable 1800 678 447 (toll free) or 8303 9755 areas of the Kingoonya/Coober standard of fence for the area.

2 3 Pastoral Board

Arid Lands Information System The Department of Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation (DWLBC) has developed the Arid Lands Information System (ALIS), a web-based information portal that aims to be the primary gateway for access to data and information about the arid areas of SA.

Development of ALIS commenced in October 2006, with support from the state government, the National Heritage Trust and the SA Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board.

The system was released to the public in December 2008.

ALIS provides open access to government data and information on the arid areas that previously would have required significant time and effort to find and obtain.

Information can now be accessed in real-time at any computer with an internet connection.

Access is provided to the most up-to-date information available by linking directly By using ALIS pastoralists can now areas of SA. to key data repositories across access real-time information to government agencies. assist with the management of their The system was recently voted property. the runner-up in the ESRI Web In this way users can be confident Challenge, a prestigious national they have access to the best Pastoralists can also contribute award for web-based mapping and available information for the region. information on their property, data management systems. such as rainfall, surface water and While much of the information within groundwater data. The ALIS can be accessed at http:// the system is publicly available, a e-nrims.dwlbc.sa.gov.au/alis/. sophisticated security layer protects ALIS is a valuable tool for businesses, confidential information regarding organisations, and members of the Further information individual pastoral leases. public with an interest in natural Peter Buxton and economic resources in the arid 8303 7612

Outback Calendar Biodiversity Month September

Native Plant Sale Every Wednesday 9 am - 12 pm, Australian Arid Lands Botanic Garden Port Augusta

National Water Week 18 October - 24 October

If your event or meeting date has been set, let us know. Across the Outback is published bi-monthly. The next issue will be in November. Please email any additions to [email protected]

2 3 ACROSS THE Outback Pastoral Board

Separating grazing from climatic effects on the rangelands Craig Baulderstone The rangelands are characterised by considerable climatic variability – dry years are normal but infrequent wetter periods can have a profound effect on the vegetation.

This variability makes it very difficult to distinguish the effects of grazing management from year-to-year variation in rainfall.

A method to separate as much as possible the effects of climatic variability from grazing management has been included in part of the Australian Collaborative Rangelands Information System (ACRIS) report: Rangelands 2008 – Taking the Pulse.

The term ‘seasonal quality’ is used to express the impacts of climate and is described as the relative value of recent rainfall for vegetation growth.

Seasonal quality is quantified as an index by relating the amount of rainfall received prior to an assessment of rangeland condition to the long-term record.

The process uses data from ‘SILO’ gridded rainfall (www.bom.gov.au/ silo) and AussieGRASS simulation of pasture growth (www.longpaddock. qld.gov.au/aboutus/research projects/aussiegrass).

By analysing this data over broad areas the climatic vs grazing Change at the same photopoint containing daisy bluebush taken in 1992 and impacts can be separated. 2008. A range in land condition has existed over these years, some due to climate, some grazing. The work by ACRIS assists in the separation of these The results show that seasonal effects. quality between the early 1990s and 2005 was generally above average in the north and north- In the eastern grasslands and mulga changing rainfall patterns across the west and variable in much of lands it was below average followed southern and south-eastern regions central Australia. by drought conditions. of Australia.

Over most of the WA and SA Current forecasts for climate Further information shrublands, seasonal quality was change indicate that rangeland initially above average, and managers will need to prepare for Download a full copy of the report then declined in response to drier greater climatic variability and in from www.environment.gov.au/land/ conditions. particular decreased rainfall and rangelands/acris/index.html

4 5 Outback Areas Community Development Trust

Community Manager appointed to Community Outback SA grants The first permanent community manager has been appointed The deadline for several small rural community grants is to the expanding outback township of Andamooka. approaching. The Outback Areas Community management, Bob’s last position Development Trust (OACDT) has was with the Barkly Shire Council in Foundation for Rural and opened an office in Andamooka to Tennant Creek, NT. Regional Renewal service the outback community of Applications close 30 September more than 900 people. His appointment was the first major outcome in the new partnership Grants of $5000 to organisations It will be led by the town’s new between APOMA and the OACDT, for rural and remote community permanent community manager, which aims to establish the services and development Robert (Bob) Jacobs. expanding township of Andamooka (excluding sporting groups). as a model of good governance in Further information Bob will work from the new office in outback towns. the old Andamooka Progress and Go to Funding Programs listed at Opal Miners’ Association (APOMA) Trust chairman Bill McIntosh said the www.frrr.org.au, freecall 1800 170 offices near the Town Hall. new arrangement will relieve ‘some 020 or email [email protected] of the pressure on volunteers for This will give the community a administration of town services’. 2009 Volunteer Grants program shopfront for more effective delivery Applications close 25 September of State Government services into Further information the community. Funding between $1000- Bob Jacobs $5000 is available for non-profit With a background in business, local 08 8672 7411 organisations to purchase practical government and remote community 0447 485116 small equipment to help volunteer programs. Further information Department of Housing, Families, Community Service and Indigenous Affairs www.fahcsia.gov.au

State Volunteers Support Fund Applications close12 October Applications are sought from incorporated not-for-profit groups which want to support the work of local volunteers. Further information Bob Jacobs (Community Manager Andamooka), Stefan Bilka (SES Unit Manager and Office for Volunteers past chairman of the Andamooka Progress and Opal Miners’ Association), Mark Sutton (Director Outback Areas Community Development Trust) and Peter Allen paul. [email protected] or phone (APOMA chairman) taken at a recent community ‘meet-and-greet’ 08 8463 4437 www.ofv.sa.gov.au

4 5 ACROSS THE Outback South Australian Arid Lands NRM Board

Western Myall walkabout: in search of answers Janet Walton Earlier this year, the Kingoonya NRM Group organised for a team of scientific experts to visit firsthand the Western Myall dieback in the Kingoonya district. Of particular interest is the Dr Peter Bailey and Greg Baker associated with Western Myall association between the Western took a number of samples back dieback, the relationship between Myall dieback and the Western to Adelaide to identify the rates the Whitefly and its parasitic wasp, Myall Whitefly. of parasitism on the Western Myall the inability of ants to defend trees. Western Myalls against sap-sucking The dieback has received some Whitefly in dry periods, and the attention since the discovery of The results indicated that one effects of climate change. the Western Myall Whitefly in 1998 particular site was heavily infested – and a decade later the dieback is with more than five Western Myall Interestingly, there does not appear escalating again. Whitefly larvae recorded on one to have been previous outbreaks phyllode (leaf). of major dieback for perhaps a Scientists and land managers are hundred years. If this had occurred still unclear about the Western Thankfully the trip also revealed we would expect to see stands Myall/Whitefly relationship and how a number of dead larvae and of dead trees as Western Myall to manage the dieback or the dehydrated eggs which may decomposes very slowly. recurring Whitefly outbreaks. have been due to February’s warm weather. Any ex-residents or visitors to There does not appear to be the region who have noticed any simple correlation with land The team were also pleased to previous Western Myall dieback degradation, drought stress or note a number of healthy juvenile are encouraged to contact Janet position in the environment that Western Myalls at some of the groves Walton to help trace the history of explains consistently the localities of affected by dieback in both 1999 myall dieback. affected trees or the dispersal of the and the current infestation. Whitefly. Further information The Kingoonya NRM Group hope Some groves are seriously affected to secure funding and resources Janet Walton whilst adjacent groves or individual to further investigate soil dynamics 08 8672 3648 trees show no symptoms at all.

The scientific team included Dr Ken Tinley (Landscape Ecologist, Western Australia), Dr Peter Bailey (retired Senior SARDI Entomologist), Greg Baker (SARDI Entomologist), Hugh Pringle (Bush Heritage Australia ecologist) and John Maconachie (Pastoral Land Management Group).

Also in attendance were Kingoonya NRM Group members Julie Mould, Rick Mould and John Read, and Janet Walton (NRM Officer).

During the three days, the team visited a number of sites throughout the region with varying degrees of Western Myall Whitefly infestation. Brendan Lay was recently contracted to revisit the 25 monitoring sites established in 2001 and 2006 where he will monitor the spread of Western Myall whitefly in the Kingoonya region.

6 7 South Australian Arid Lands NRM Board

Great Tracks Cleanup Plant ID workshop Frank Lyman Louise Gavin The SA Arid Lands Natural For the third year in a row, the Leigh Creek SES volunteers Resources Management cleaned up the Birdsville, Strezlecki Tracks and the Cordillo Board ran a successful plant Road, taking with them about 70 tonnes of tyres and metal identification workshop in rubbish. Copley recently with 31 participants including members Equipped with their with the team at the support vehicle was of the Copley and Marree own vehicles and overnight camp at always at the right CDEP Program, and people trailers, 23 volunteers Montecollina Bore. place at the right time. participated in this from Nepabunna and Iga The volunteers split The volunteers Warta. year’s Great Tracks Cleanup transporting into two teams so that are looking further Simone Lawson (Rural Solutions the rubbish to the secondary tracks such afield next year to South Australia) ran the waste depots in the as the old Strezlecki possibly clean up the workshop sessions using plant region. track running along the Oodnadatta Track. samples and photographs. Strezlecki Creek, the After three years of road out to Cameron However this will only Simone taught us that cleaning the Great Corner and the Bore be possible through the plant identification is about Tracks, some areas Tracks could be continued support of eliminating options and that are looking really cleaned up. the volunteers and the everyone in the room thinks good. sponsors. This led to a long but about plants as they walk Further information around or drive into town. Ably led by Stuart very successful day, Paxton, the volunteers and the team reunited Stuart Paxton A good way to start identifying began their trip at at Innamincka for the 08 8671 0370 a plant is to think about and Leigh Creek and evening. Sponsorship and notice a few key things: cleaned up a large support came from amount of rubbish on The following days saw • The shape of the plant (ie. tall, SANTOS, Department short, rounded) the Strezlecki Track. the team travel the Road for Environment and • Growth form (ie. shrub or tree) Heritage, Marree- • Colour of leaves and flowers Other team members to Birdsville, then down travelled the the Birdsville Track to Innamincka NRM Group • Shape and arrangement of (SAAL NRM Board), leaves Balcanoona road Mungerannie and through the North back to Leigh Creek. the Diamantina Shire, • Texture of leaves (ie. smooth, Department for Transport, hairy, oily, bumpy) Flinders and out through Moolawatana Mechanics were on Energy and Infrastructure, With that information a plant Station to meet up hand to repair the few Flinders Power and Depot can often be identified by a breakdowns and the Springs Station. friend or from a book. Scientific names, Adnyamathanha names and medicinal uses were also recorded for plant samples. Di Starick is continuing to work on this with some Copley residents. Further information Louise Gavin, 08 8648 5977 Special thanks to the Healthy Eating Program who organised food for the day and to Ron Johnston who assisted with workshop and field trip coordination.

6 7 ACROSS THE Outback South Australian Arid Lands NRM Board

Surveys for the species in the Grey Grasswren Cooper Creek catchment of Surveys north-east South Australia were carried out in May by a team of Reece Pedler experienced Grasswren researchers, Since the relatively recent discovery led by Andrew Black, with Graham of this species in the late 1960s there Carpenter, Lynn Pedler and Peter has been much interest and intrigue Langdon. regarding the Grey Grasswren, an extremely secretive bird species The extensive, five-day search that lives in the floodplain habitats was conducted around Embarka of inland river systems in the Waterhole and Tirrawarra Swamp Channel Country. where the bird had previously been recorded. Within South Australia, very little is known about the distribution or life Tape-recordings of Grasswren habits of the Grey Grasswren and calls were used to encourage the the possible threats to its survival. birds to show themselves or call in response.

... continued on back page Photo: Lynn Pedler

Arid Recovery dingo project Heather Springbett Anecdotal evidence suggests that dingoes may suppress feral cat and fox numbers and assist survival of threatened species. Arid Recovery is the first organisation to test the impact of dingoes on cats and foxes using pen trials. Arid Recovery’s dingo project two hours. This data will be used to information about the animals’ aims to determine what role (if determine if there is any change condition and behaviour. any) dingoes play in controlling in cat and fox behaviour, habitat introduced predators such as cats use, activity patterns, condition or Analysis of the cat and fox data and foxes. mortality after the introduction of the is currently in the early stages. dingoes. The dingoes will be recaptured in If dingoes can assist with feral September so we can download cat and fox control then dingo Their movement patterns will be the GPS data from their collars. This management may become a key compared to cats and foxes data will allow us to investigate the element of future threatened species collared outside the pen. interactions between the dingoes recovery programs in Australia. and the cats and foxes. Radio-collared animals are closely Several feral cats were captured, monitored so we are aware of their Further information fitted with radio and GPS tracking location and mortality. collars and introduced to a 37km2 Arid Recovery is a conservation initiative ‘dingo pen’ fenced north of the Arid This is mostly done through on- dedicated to restoring Australia’s arid Recovery Reserve. ground or aerial radio-tracking. lands: www.aridrecovery.org.au We have also set up a surveillance In December 2008, a male and a system near the dam in the dingo This project was made possible by female dingo were introduced into enclosure. funding through the SAAL NRM Board. the pen and, more recently, four Arid Recovery also acknowledges the foxes have been added. This allows us to photograph the support of , Billa dingoes and other animals using this Kalina Station and Mulgaria Station. GPS collars take a location fix every area and provides us with valuable Gover nment of South Australia South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Boar d

8 9 South Australian Arid Lands NRM Board Department for Transport, Energy and Infrastructure

Blinman to Wilpena road sealed Travellers visiting the picturesque Flinders Ranges are bound to appreciate the newly sealed section of road between the towns of and Wilpena.

Since March 2008, the department’s construction gangs and external contractors have been working to construct and seal the 53km section of road between the two popular Flinders Ranges towns.

The works include installation of new, and extension of existing, culverts, replacement of grids, stabilisation of 16 floodways, and installation of 8km of guardrail.

Design of some sections proved to be challenging due to the sharp curves, floodways and steep shoulder drop-offs.

An initial, temporary primer seal on the last 15km was laid down in early August 2009, completing the black top.

The department’s Eyre Resheeting Gang is currently placing headwalls on culverts, and working along the final section installing signs and guide posts.

The first 23km from Wilpena has been final sealed and line marked.

The final seal on the remaining section will be laid in November 2009 with project completion expected in March 2010, once the guardrail has been installed.

The total project cost is $12.3m of Australian and State Governments.

Work in progress on the Blinman – Wilpena Road (top), and the road newly sealed and line-marked.

8 9 ACROSS THE Outback Largest Athel Pine infestation in region removed Ben Shepherd A team of dedicated land managers and volunteers reecently pooled their skills to remove the largest infestation of Athel Pine in the South Australian Arid Lands from the arid rivers between Lake Frome and the NSW border. The initial removal of this large infestation is a significant Follow up treatments of regrowth may be required for step towards the protection and health of the arid rivers several years to come, depending on rainfall and other from which they were removed and the SA Arid Lands in factors. general. The cost of removing wild infestations of Athel Pine is The control used both mechanical and chemical means significant and a cost worth avoiding. with a D6 dozer employed for the dense areas and larger trees. Garden plantings of athel pine have been the source of all wild infestations in central Australia and landowners For outlying Athel Pines, away from the dense are strongly encouraged to remove garden plantings of infestations, plants were cut down and herbicide Athel Pine to prevent future infestations. applied to the stump. Further information To remove the many outlying plants, a group effort was required. Ben Shepherd 84637435 Over six days and working in four teams of 2-5 people, S. Kidman staff from Quinyambie Station, Rural Solutions This project is funded by the Australian Government’s Caring SA Pest Management Consultants and volunteers from for Our Country Program, with significant contributions from Conservation Volunteers Australia pooled resources and S. Kidman’s Pastoral Company and in partnership with the skills to successfully control over 30 athel pines scattered South Australian Arid Lands NRM Board and NSW Western along several arid rivers. Catchment Management Authority.

But this does not mean it’s over. Athel pines are often difficult to control and initial treatment is only the first stage.

S. Kidman and Co employees controlling outlying athel pine D6 Dozer with stick rake and blade plough attachment to using cut stump methods remove dense infestations and large athel pine trees

10 11 PRIMARY INDUSTRIES AND RESOURCES SA Livestock and Animal Health News

If you sell sheep you should read this Primary Industries and Resources SA (PIRSA) in conjunction with major sheep processors and livestock agents is set to increase compliance activities relating to the completion and accuracy of National Vendor Declarations (NVD).

As well as ensuring food safety, its auditing of NVDs at saleyards and NVDs accompanying sheep and the NVD is a vital part of Australia’s abattoirs with a particular emphasis lambs he is purchasing. sheep and goat traceability system. on non-vendor bred consignments,’ he said. ‘The main problem we are Without individual electronic encountering is with question 3 on identification, the NVD provides a ‘From August 10, PIRSA inspectors will the NVD,’ he said. crucial link back to an animal’s last be spot auditing the NVDs delivered property of residence. with every consignment at major ‘If producers have not bred the South Australian selling centres and sheep they are selling they must Recent audits continue to uncover export abattoirs.’ answer ‘no’ to question 3 and list the an unacceptable number of Property Identification Codes printed incomplete NVDs, particularly from The increased scrutiny on NVD on the ear tags of the introduced vendors selling sheep they have not accuracy is an initiative of the SA sheep. bred themselves. National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) Sheep and Goat ‘Alternatively producers can apply South Australia’s Chief Veterinary Implementation Committee which pink transaction tags on all of the Officer, Dr Rob Rahaley, said is comprised of representatives animals in the consignment.’ South Australia’s sheep and from producer groups, processors, Gary Tapscott, President of Australian goat industries expect PIRSA to agents, government and saleyard Livestock and Property Agents enforce compliance with this vital operators. component of SA’s food safety and Association (ALPA) urges producers traceability system. Dale Cameron, Livestock Manager to take the NVD seriously. with Tatiara Meat Company is ‘The NVD is vital to the welfare ‘To help improve producer concerned with the accuracy of awareness, PIRSA will be increasing of Australia’s sheep industry and the information on the NVD is demanded by consumers of Australian sheep meat products,’ Mr. Tapscott said

Producers who supply an incomplete or inaccurate NVD will receive a warning letter or expiation from PIRSA.

‘Failing to accurately answer question 3 on the NVD in particular can result in regulatory action being taken against that producer in addition to the possibility of significant commercial discounts or sheep being withdrawn from sale altogether,’ explained Dr Rahaley.

Further information

Producers who are unsure about how to correctly complete their NVD are urged to contact the PIRSA NLIS helpline on 1800 654 688.

10 11 ACROSS THE Outback Rural health and New Rural drought support Community hotlines Counsellor for Drought Link Hotline 180 2020 the Far North Personal and Alan McMahon has Family Support Line recently taken up the 1800 619 532 Emergency position with Country Mental Health Assistance Health SA (CHSA) as 13 14 65 a Rural Community (for use in a critical Counsellor for the Far or mental health crisis) North. beyondblue 1300 22 46 36 Alan is part of the CHSA Drought Response Team and Mensline replaces Trevor Middleton-Frew 1300 78 99 78 who has returned to Flinders Medical Centre. overseas in rural development and has also spent time as a shearer, ... continued from page eight Alan will cover the Flinders and farm manager, Rural Financial Although over 250 other bird species Far North and Outback areas of Counsellor and working for the were observed, no Grey Grasswrens the State and will work closely with Department of Agriculture. were found at Embarka and it is other drought related positions The position involves networking thought that they are no longer at that are currently operating. with other organisations and this site. However, there are some He is based at the old Port government departments offering lingering suspicions that they may Augusta Hospital offices and will services to outback communities, not have spoken up enough to be also be available to visit stations and supporting individuals, families, heard! and businesses affected by the and communities suffering from The next part of the project will drought. stress and uncertainty. involve searching for the species in Alan comes from a farming Part of the role also includes areas of the Warburton/Diamantina background and understands the mental health education to catchments. impact the drought has on rural communities to assist people to families and communities and how Further information identify what to do when things these pressures are exacerbated start to go wrong and they feel Reece Pedler by rising costs. they can’t cope. 08 8671 1083 Alan joins nine other Rural The service is free and The assistance and support of Gidgealpa Community Counsellors across the confidential. managers Jane-Marie and Jason Barns State who are supporting families and SANTOS Tirrawarra manager Mark and individuals to deal with the Further information Moffatt is gratefully acknowledged. stress and increased family tensions AlanMcMahon caused by the current adverse 08 8648 5517 The project was initiated by the Marree- 0427 798 670 conditions. 0147 163 193 (Satellite) Innamincka NRM Group, with vital [email protected] funding provided by SANTOS. Alan has spent many years working