Local MP says Singleton Drought Assistance Snub Echos the Sport Grants Scandal

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Morrison Government has been accused of using drought assistance funds for political gain after Singleton missed out on financial assistance despite supposedly less eligible communities receiving millions in grants.

With 11 percent of the workforce employed in the agricultural sector, drought-affected Singleton falls short of the 17 percent requirement to receive government funding - yet six other local government areas that also fell short received aid through the Drought Communities Program.

State Member for Hunter, Joel Fitzgibbon has claimed the then-Regional Services Minister Bridget McKenzie - currently embroiled in a similar sports grants scandal - ignored the program's eligibility guidelines to pork-barrel electorates in the lead-up to the 2019 election.

Of 14 councils that received million dollar grants, 13 belonged to Coalition seats.

"The numbers don't stack up - clearly Singleton's agriculture and processing workforce is sufficiently high to be receiving this money, and I'm demanding the government step up."

Mr Fitzgibbon says the Singleton community was left trying to understand why they had been excluded from funding.

"The answer is that the criteria of the DCP was not evenly applied. Bridget McKenzie controlled the Drought Communities Program and ensured many drought-affected communities could not access the $1 million grants. This Government has lost the bush."

Hunter Water Levels at 13-Year Low

BY TAHLIA HALE.

The Hunter's water storage levels have reached a thirteen-year low of 67% capacity, edging closer to the 60% capacity at which level one water restrictions will be enforced.

According to predictions from Hunter Water, level one restrictions will apply within the next six months if the region receives average rainfall. 

Hunter Water's Lauren Eyles said it's important to keep conserving water as best we can.

"If low rainfall conditions continue, we could reach level one water restrictions in mid to late September," said Ms Eyles.

Under level one restrictions, households and businesses cannot use sprinklers at any time, except for the limited irrigation of sports ovals.

The Hunter's water levels drop faster than most other major Australian urban centres during hot, dry periods as we have high evaporation rates and shallow water storages.

Lauren Eyles said there's a lot Hunter residents can do to conserve water.

"Little things make a big difference,"

"Simple things like having a shorter shower, only watering the garden with a trigger nozzle, and waiting until you have a full load before you use the washing machine or dishwasher."

Image: Hunter Water.

Singleton Considers Mandatory Water Restrictions

BY KAYNE STEPHENS

Low Level water restrictions could become mandatory for Singleton residents, as Council looks at preserving its falling water supply levels.

Levels at Glennies Creek Dam have fallen to 54-per-cent and if dry weather continues, enforced restrictions could come into place in the area.

Singleton Mayor, Councillor Sue Moore, says Council is working carefully to preserve the water supply.

“Water is an important resource and we need to be mindful of how we use and preserve water even in good conditions,” she said.

The Level 1 (low level) restrictions were applied to Singleton last year, but only on a voluntary basis.

Council says its pleased to see residents have already been saving water, but is considering enforcing its low level restrictions, similar to Sydney.

"It’s great to see the people of Singleton have taken on board tips to save water".

Cr More says water levels and usage are being monitored and Council will consider enforcing water rules if drought conditions continue.

“Council is closely monitoring the status of water in order to inform the need to implement mandatory low level restrictions in the next few months, because of concerns about the supply of water into the future particularly if drought conditions worsen," she said.

According to Singleton Council, the restrictions for residential properties would mean:

• Watering of lawns by watering systems, microsprays, drip systrems, soaker hoses, non fixed sprinklers and hand-held hoses may only occur between 6am to 10am and 4pm to 10pm daily in winter 
• Watering of residential gardens by watering systems, microsprays, drip systems, soaker hoses, non fixed sprinklers and hand-held hoses may only occur between 6am to 10am and 4pm to 10pm daily in winter
• Topping up or filling of garden water features is permitted
• Irrigation of new turf is permitted for one week after laying, which after level 1 restriction of watering lawns applies
• Washing down of walls or paved surfaces is not permitted.

Residents are advised that if the restrictions come into place, they will be enforced.

“If mandatory restrictions are introduced, penalties will apply to customers found to be misusing water," Cr Moore said.

The restrictions were introduced on a voluntary basis, but could become mandatory if dry conditions continue. (Image: Singleton Council)

Hunter Dairy Farmers To Receive A Boost From Woolworths

BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter Valley dairy farmers struggling through one of the worst droughts on record are set to benefit from a decision by Woolworths to boost its $1.00 a litre milk prices, with profits to go to farmers.

The supermarket giant will increase the price of its own brand milk by 10 cents per litre from today.

Dairy Connect Farmers Group President and Gloucester Dairy Farmer, Graham Forbes says the move is re-building confidence within the industry.

"I think it's a real morale booster for farmers. They've seen their product devalued in stores and from a mental position it's a tremendous move as well it's a first starting time to sort out some of the problems we've had with the industry," he said.

Dairy Connect President Graham Forbes Picture: smh.co.au

Federal Member for Lyne, David Gillespie is urging Coles and Aldi to follow suit, however Coles says it wants to look at other ways to support farmers.

Drought Support for Preschools in the Hunter

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Parliamentary Secretary Scot MacDonald meets with children in the Hunter. 

Hunter pre-schools have received government funding as part of a $3 million package aimed at ensuring early childhood services continue in the drought afflicted areas of the state.

Greta Community Pre-school, Branxton Pre-school and Hunter Mobile Pre-school received payments ranging from $4 thousand to $17 thousand.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot Macdonald says the drought has affected local families in several ways.

"We know how crucial it is to continue to  help families and businesses in areas like the Hunter that have felt the impacts of the drought," Mr Macdonald said.

"There's not as much money around, families don't have as much money to spend on things like preschool."

The funding is part of the NSW States Governments ongoing and consultative approach to the drought.

"There's extra costs involved so its important that theyre able to keep up maitenance and all those sorts of things," Mr Macdonald said.

"This can help them fit out preschools. Those things are a little bit tougher in drought conditions. But most directly just helping families access preschools with things like fees. "

Minister for Early Childhood Education Sarah Mitchell said it is crucial the NSW Government continues to support families to ensure children always have access to top quality early childhood eduation, no matter where they live or what circumstances are.

Rural Crime Workshop for Muswellbrook Farmers

BY LAURA D'AMICO

At a time when property holders are already struggling through drought, NSW Police say they've received increasing reports of stolen equipment and fodder, as well as illegal hunting.

Muswellbrook farmers and agribusinesses are being encouraged to attend a workshop on rural crime prevention by the NSW Farmers Association.

The workshop, at Muswellbrook District Workers Club from 6pm til 8pm tonight, comes in the wake of reported cases of hay bale theft in the region last month.

It will cover tips on dealing with trespassers and illegal hunting, drone usage over properties, the use of firearms and safe storage, fuel and property theft.

Another focus of the workshop is reporting crime and what police can do to assist landholders.

Assistant Commissioner Geoff McKechnie says the workshops are a great initiative for local police and farmers to discuss new crime prevention strategies and what both can do to help combat rural and regional crime.

"Farmers attending will hear from experienced rural crime investigators and detectives about ways they can target-harden their premises and how to reduce the levels of rural crime occurring," he says.

"People can talk to these police officers about what is concerning them at present," Assistant Commissioner McKechnie says, "and in terms of their local area and get local knowledge there and then."

The rural workshop is free and available to all farmers and agribusiness. To register and RSVP, please visit NSW Farmers.

Image sourced from muswellbrookchronicle.com.au

Emergency Water Bores for Murrurundi

BY XANTHE GREGORY

Upper Hunter Shire Council has begun drilling its third emergency groundwater bore after the community's water supply has become worryingly low.

The town is currently on level 6 water restrictions and Council is worried their current water supply won't get them through the next few months.

Mayor Wayne Bedggood found the first bore a success, saying "there's certainly water there we just have to check the quality and the quantity."

However, the water found in the first bore, a few hundred metres below the surface, is not enough to supply the town.

"At this stage, if the first bore water is good quality and quantity, we would tap that into the existing water infrastructure lines and that would help supplement the supply," says Mr Bedggood.

The second bore test has failed to find any water.

Drilling began yesterday for the third bore and hopes are high that they are successful in reaching a substantial amount of safe water.

Mayor Bedggood says the bores "wouldn't alleviate the restrictions that we have but it would stop us having to cart water up."

The town has been on high water restrictions since November of last year and Mr Bedgood says "if we could get two of those test bores supplementing the existing water supply that would get us to Christmas quite comfortably."

The council has plans to implement a 40km water pipeline in 2020 from Scone to Murrurundi, costing $14.5 million, to alleviate the pressures of a dwindling water supply if circumstances arise in the future.

Freight Changes to Cut Costs for Hunter Farmers

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Upper Hunter farmers who've been struggling to transport hay should now find it easier to do so.

The state government has announced an exemption, increasing the amount of hay allowed to be conveyed on trucks, in a bid to reduce costs.

Under the NSW Class 3 Drought Assistance Dimension Exemption Notice, semi-trailers and b-doubles up to 26 metres long can now carry a load of three-hay-bales tall and two-bales wide.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald says the changes will come into effect by tomorrow, not a moment too soon.

"The drought has now been going on for some time," he said, "what that means is that most fodder supplies from across the state are low or exhausted - we're going further and further away to get this very important fodder to keep the livestock in good condition."

On a case-by-case basis, access permits will be provided for trucks transporting hay loads in excess of 4.6 metres high, and for road trains on roads not currently approved for that use.

Scot MacDonald is urging agriculturalists to arrange the changes before hitting the road.

"My strong suggestion is [for farmers] to talk to RMS before they organise the truck. Once trucks are on the road, the RMS and police will be looking at these truck movements...we need to be flexible but the best way to ensure that is to talk to the RMS up-front," Mr MacDonald said.

For more information, head to the RMS website.

Image: ABC. 

Hopeful Donations For Hunter Farmers

BY: ARIANA GATTI

Following a Maitland Council meeting held last night, members have agreed to allocate around $5,000 left-over from the end-of-financial-year budget toward deserving Hunter farmers.

Image Sourced: https://crackler.com.au/portfolio/maitland-city-council-branding/

The notice of motion which was proposed by Maitland Councillor, Philip Penfold, sat well with the rest of council and voted for the allocation of exactly where the funds will be distributed, up to the decision of the general manager.

Funding will be split up and allocated fairly to the farmers in areas still suffering from the results of drought.

Areas in the northern Hunter region, in particular, Merriwa and Muswellbrook, are being kept in mind firstly to receive some of the financial aid. 

Image Sourced: Simon McCarthy, Newcastle Herald - https://www.theherald.com.au/story/5218638/everybodys-looking-for-rain-drought-dries-out-the-hunter/

Cr Philip Penfold says more funding can be found elsewhere to help the suffering farmers.

"While $5,000 is only a modest contribution, I'd like to think that other Councils in the region would be able to contribute as well", he says.

The allocated money would be put to good use, as it would go towards providing enough food for livestock to survive and flourish, as well as maintain healthy living conditions for regional farmers.

Penfold says there have already been organisations getting behind causes like this and are willing to help out.

"We expect organisations, like Lions who have already done some great work to support our farmers, will receive some funding of their own to provide even more aid", he says.

Government Announces Drought Transport Funding

BY TYLER FARDELL

Despite the Hunter receiving some rain recently, many farmers are still feeling the effects of a harsh drought.

Now, the government has extended an olive branch in the form of the Drought Transport Fund.

Loans up to $20,000 with a no-repayment period of two years are on offer to farmers to help with transporting livestock and donated fodder.

Parliamentary secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald said he and Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair met with several Hunter farmers recently.

"We met a number of farmers across the Port Stephens and Maitland areas, and in the Upper Hunter," he said.

"Certainly one of the pressing issues they have is keeping stock, and it's expensive to relocate the animals...this is giving a little bit of an extra hand [with that]."

NSW Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair at a property near Stroud. 

Parliamentary Secretary visits Drought-Ravaged Properties: Maitland, Port Stephens

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

The devastating effect of drought on Hunter farms has been sighted first-hand by Parliamentary Secretary, Scot MacDonald.

He visited livestock and dairy farms around Port Stephens and Maitland yesterday, and now plans to share his findings with colleagues in state parliament.

Among the farms visited was Danny Stork's property at Glen Oak, where a dam once 3 metres deep is now nothing more than a muddy puddle.

"There's no question they're under a lot of pressure," Mr MacDonald says, "the pastures are in a very poor condition; many [farmers] are reporting less than half their average annual rainfall- dams are dry and feeders are just about non-existent on the paddocks."

Many parts of the Hunter Valley have recorded single-figure millimetre readings for 2018.

Mr MacDonald says he's relaying the dire situation to government.

"I'm going away and talking to government ministers about what we can do to assist and what the appropriate response is."

He says a collaboration to improve water catchment measures could prove timely.

"I think there's a range of actions we can take; it needs Port Stephens Council to also look at some of their policies around dam cleaning- when dams are empty, it's an opportunity for them to be cleaned out and de-filtered."

Despite an inter-governmental drought agreement signed in 2013 which removed subsidies such as those for fodder transport and left many Hunter farmers calling for reform, Scot MacDonald says there is still a subsidy available for livestock being transported for sale or slaughter.

He says under the current scheme, there's a focus on drought-preparedness and loans for silos and water infrastructure, and is urging affected property owners to attend information workshops later this month.

The workshops will be hosted by Hunter Local Land Services, aiming to arm regional producers with animal health advice from veterinarians and advice on current beef market trends to follow on from seasonal and climate information presented at forums held in October last year.

The Lower Hunter Producer Update will take place at Tocal on February 21, while the Upper Hunter event is being held at Scone on the 22nd.

For more information on the workshops or to RSVP, head to the Hunter Local Land Services Events page.

Dam dry: Danny Stork's Property at Glen Oak. Image: Maitland Mercury

Finished tour of drought impacted farms in Lower Hunter at Danny Stork’s Port Stephens property. Farmers reporting water at critical levels.Not seen this severe in generations.Dairy farms particularly hard hit.Thanks to @MaitlandMercury @BelindaJaneD for organising pic.twitter.com/ILrLzd8MKn

— Scot MacDonald (@ScotMacDonald1) February 12, 2018