Drought extends its grip
July 6, 2008 - 12:35PM
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Warning of severe droughts just years apart
The most drought-ravaged areas of NSW have received the cruel double blow of worsening conditions and a looming locust plague.
And consumers are facing the prospect of further price hikes, with a failure of winter crops likely to increase the cost of food.
The big dry extended its grip across the state this month, with a further 2.3 per cent of NSW slipping into drought, taking the total drought-declared area to 65 per cent.
Of the rest, 20.9 is considered marginal, with a mere 14 per cent - largely along the coast - deemed satisfactory.
Primary industries minister Ian Macdonald said June was a "horror" month for the south-western region, where just 10mm of rain fell in some parts.
Dam levels also were very low in crop-producing areas, particularly in the Snowy Mountains and the central west of the state, squeezing irrigation supplies.
Compounding the problem in these parched areas were reports of locust activity, stretching west from Albury and as far north as Junee, the minister said.
Up to 900 properties had discovered beds of locust eggs, and Mr Macdonald said he feared there could be many more not yet reported.
A locust plague devastated the state in 2005, wreaking $1 billion in damage to crops.
"We need a lot of rain very shortly because we've planted 95 per cent of the 5.2 million-hectare winter crop, this is most of the wheat crop that is so important to our rural communities' income," Mr Macdonald told reporters.
"If we have another failure of our winter crops this will place... even further upward pressure on prices for foodstuffs across NSW, particularly at a time when high fuel prices are already forcing most commodities prices in an upward spiral."
Mr Macdonald said a wet front was forecast in the coming week, and about 50mm was needed to see the crops through to spring, he said.
The government had also prepared a "battle plan" ahead of the spring hatching of the locusts, involving aerial spraying of affected areas.
Mr Macdonald said the Garnaut report was "ringing" in his ears, but denied that this drought - now in its sixth year - was the result of climate change.
"I don't link this drought to climate change," he said.
"In the south-east of Australia we've had some major droughts ... for instance the federation drought at the turn of the 20th century went for 14 years."
"I think drought is a very natural cycle in the climate characteristics of Australia."
New drought-declared areas include Hillston, in the state's central west, and parts of Mudgee, Narrabri and northern New England.
AAP
July 6, 2008 - 12:35PM
Latest related coverage
Warning of severe droughts just years apart
The most drought-ravaged areas of NSW have received the cruel double blow of worsening conditions and a looming locust plague.
And consumers are facing the prospect of further price hikes, with a failure of winter crops likely to increase the cost of food.
The big dry extended its grip across the state this month, with a further 2.3 per cent of NSW slipping into drought, taking the total drought-declared area to 65 per cent.
Of the rest, 20.9 is considered marginal, with a mere 14 per cent - largely along the coast - deemed satisfactory.
Primary industries minister Ian Macdonald said June was a "horror" month for the south-western region, where just 10mm of rain fell in some parts.
Dam levels also were very low in crop-producing areas, particularly in the Snowy Mountains and the central west of the state, squeezing irrigation supplies.
Compounding the problem in these parched areas were reports of locust activity, stretching west from Albury and as far north as Junee, the minister said.
Up to 900 properties had discovered beds of locust eggs, and Mr Macdonald said he feared there could be many more not yet reported.
A locust plague devastated the state in 2005, wreaking $1 billion in damage to crops.
"We need a lot of rain very shortly because we've planted 95 per cent of the 5.2 million-hectare winter crop, this is most of the wheat crop that is so important to our rural communities' income," Mr Macdonald told reporters.
"If we have another failure of our winter crops this will place... even further upward pressure on prices for foodstuffs across NSW, particularly at a time when high fuel prices are already forcing most commodities prices in an upward spiral."
Mr Macdonald said a wet front was forecast in the coming week, and about 50mm was needed to see the crops through to spring, he said.
The government had also prepared a "battle plan" ahead of the spring hatching of the locusts, involving aerial spraying of affected areas.
Mr Macdonald said the Garnaut report was "ringing" in his ears, but denied that this drought - now in its sixth year - was the result of climate change.
"I don't link this drought to climate change," he said.
"In the south-east of Australia we've had some major droughts ... for instance the federation drought at the turn of the 20th century went for 14 years."
"I think drought is a very natural cycle in the climate characteristics of Australia."
New drought-declared areas include Hillston, in the state's central west, and parts of Mudgee, Narrabri and northern New England.
AAP
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