A response taskforce set up to help those affected by Moora floods and cyclone Vance

22/3/99
Agriculture Western Australia has set up a response taskforce to assist the agricultural sector and staff affected by the Moora floods and Severe Cyclone Vance, Primary Industry Minister Monty House said today.
Mr House said a hotline for stock health issues had opened on 041 791 0082 and advice on crop issues was available on the regular Cropline service.
Agriculture WA staff from around the State had rallied to provide assistance to the northern agricultural and southern pastoral regions.
"The changing weather patterns today made it difficult to accurately assess the situation," the Minister said.
"However, the agency will use aerial surveys and field reports from staff over the coming few days to build a picture of damage in areas where assistance was required.
"The agency is also planning a survey by questionaire of farmers in the affected areas to help assess damage.
"At this stage, agricultural damage in the Moora catchment area includes fence losses, stock losses and soil erosion. There may also be damage in agricultural areas east of Moora as far away as Mukinbudin because of the heavy rains over the last several days.
"There have been unconfirmed reports of stock losses and there is a concern for recently shorn animals in the region.
"We have yet to see how extensive losses are for all livestock.

"We are optimistic good stubble retention in the northern agricultural region this year, along with changing farming practices over the last several years, will assist in minimising soil erosion. Most of the damage is likely to be from stream-bank erosion associated with the flooding."
Mr House said Agriculture WA's Moora regional office was a major centre for the agency, with 23 staff.
" One third of them have suffered damage to their homes, and the office building has also been closed because of flood damage," he said.
"The building was flooded to a depth of half a metre, with damage to fixtures and fittings. It is unlikely to be operational within the next week.
"Most staff and their families have been evacuated to Perth, but some staff have remained in Moora operating from the Central Midlands Senior High school, despite their own personal situation. They are being assisted by staff from other areas, including staff from the Esperance office who were using their recent flood experience responses to help the Moora office."
Mr House said the efforts by the local Moora staff over the last 24 hours were to be commended.
The Minister said there was concern that Cyclone Vance would lead to more rainfall over the next week, and further damage could be sustained in the northern and eastern wheatbelt.
Agriculture WA's Carnarvon office was also on standby, ready to assess any damage from Cyclone Vance in its region.
Media contact: Julie Cole 9481 2044