Inspection of drought-affected areas at Esperance/Ravensthorpe

5/8/94

Primary Industry Minister Monty House has implemented a number of measures to assist farmers, following a visit to the Esperance and Ravensthorpe region to inspect first-hand the effects of poor seasonal conditions,

Mr House met with farmers, seasonal risk management groups, local bank managers, rural counsellors and shire councils.

The Minister was accompanied by Murray Criddle MLC, who is chairman of the group established by Mr House to provide advice on responses to the season.

"While the rain in the past two days has temporarily alleviated the pressure on some farms, the region is still potentially facing a very serious situation," Mr House said.

"As a contingency plan, if there is no significant rain within a month, I have acted on the priority issues such as water supply, stock fodder supplies, information on financial management and planning, and rural counselling services.

"Through the Department of Agriculture and Water Authority, we are establishing key water delivery and supply points within a 40 kilometre radius of farms.  The Government will be partially assisting with the cost of water carting to ensure stock have adequate supplies.

"I am also organising an extra car for the Esperance rural counselling agency to assist farmers to access this vital service."

The Grain Pool of Western Australia, after representation from Mr Criddle, has implemented a scheme so farmers can use existing equity in pools to pay for livestock feed grain.

Transport Minister Eric Charlton yesterday agreed to the Minister's request for the Main Roads to waive load restrictions under a permit system (loads greater than 2.5 metres in width) for hay carting.

Mr House will also meet Federal Primary Industry Minister Bob Collins on Tuesday to highlight the issues associated with the poor seasonal conditions affecting the eastern and south-eastern wheatbelt.

"I will be strongly urging the Federal Government to agree to situate a permanent rural counsellor at Ravensthorpe to cater for the specific needs of that community," the Minister said.

"In the interim, I am working to establish a rural counsellor to service the immediate needs of the Ravensthorpe region.

"I will also be discussing with Senator Collins the effectiveness of the Rural Adjustment Scheme, the inflexibility in the social security system and taxation implications of farm cashflows."

On Wednesday, Mr House met with State managers of banks and rural financiers, stressing the need to take a positive, compassionate and long-term view of agriculture in the affected regions.

"The banks agree the seasonal and cash flow situation can still be salvaged with decent rain, but have assured me they will co-operate early with farmers to plan their financial requirements."

Mr House said the chairman and chief executive officer of the Rural Adjustment and Finance Corporation (RAFCOR) would visit the south-east wheatbelt next Friday to discuss the needs of farmer groups and detail RAFCOR assistance programs.

Aside from the farm management assistance and financial management advice available through the Department of Agriculture and RAFCOR, Mr House said he was investigating locating a RAFCOR officer to the south coast region to provide specific advice.

The new initiatives complement a package of measures released on Monday.

Media contact:  Will Henwood 481 2044 / 222 9595