Drought-stricken farmers will have the ear of NSW Primary Industries Minister Katrina Hodgkinson tomorrow, when she tours the Tamworth and Gunnedah region that is on the brink of being drought declared.
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While some landholders say the visit and any subsequent assistance may be ‘too little, too late,’ they are hoping to be offered immediate relief to ease the impact of one of the worst droughts in years, possibly decades.
Minister Hodgkinson is visiting the Northern Tablelands today to see first hand the effects of drought, before travelling to Tamworth and Gunnedah tomorrow.
“It’s fantastic,” Member for Tamworth Kevin Anderson said.
“I know we can only tell the department so much. You’ve got to be able to see it for your own eyes to get a full understanding.”
Mr Anderson travelled around the Gunnedah area yesterday where he spoke with farmers battling the Big Dry.
Among those was Warren Nicholls of the property “Brolga”.
“The country looks shocking,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Water is difficult and the dams have dried up.
“We’re relying on bore water so it’s left parts of the country without water.
“The situation is terrible because we’re hand feeding [sheep and cattle].
“Basically we don’t know what to do about the problems we’re facing.”
If the region is drought declared, assistance like fodder and transport subsidies, and low interest loans could be offered to help pull farmers through the drought.
Desperate Gunnedah. Dams dry no feed. hope forecasters are right for rain soon @nswdpi @NSWCountryHour pic.twitter.com/tlIQoW6H3k
— Kevin Anderson MP (@Kevinandersonmp) February 10, 2014
However pressure is mounting on the State Government to stop the ongoing delays with assistance, amid criticism it has not acted swiftly enough.
“I believe the greatest help would be interest rate subsidies. At least it would keep people on their properties so you didn’t have a massive social dislocation. Without that help, there is going to be people that walk off,” Mr Nicholls said.
Even if farmers did receive subsidies for fodder, trying to source feed for many farmers is becoming a growing battle. Prices have also skyrocketed.
“Where’s it going to come from?” said Goolhi landholder Ashley Whitney, whose family has been farming the area since 1949 when his parents arrived as soldier settlers.
“There’s none around – none left for the little blokes.”
Cotton seed has doubled in price and there is talk even molasses is hard to come by because the drought is affecting cane growers on the coast.
The Whitney’s dams are all dry and they are relying on three pumps to water everything.
They are also almost out of rainwater at the house, having to cart supplies from a tank from another block.
The family is hand feeding all of their weaners, along with cutting Kurrajong trees for extra feed.
As temperatures continue to soar, there is some hope however, for a reprieve in the weather, with rain predicted in coming days.
It will be nowhere near enough to break the drought or get farmers back on their feet as many have already had to spend part of next year’s income to keep afloat.
Those selling stock have also felt the drop in prices at the saleyards.
The Whitneys, who have 300 breeders, recently sold their 18-month old heifers and received half of what they expected.
“So it’s blown our budget,” Ashley said.
Kevin Anderson is hopeful fodder and freight subsidies will be offered as immediate assistance, once the State Government gives the tick of approval.
There is currently a drought package before Cabinet, with the Gunnedah shire included in a report handed to the government.
“The recommendation has gone through that this region be drought declared,” Mr Anderson said.
“We absolutely now need it to be officially declared so funds can start to flow through.”
For some, there is the feeling it has come too little, too late, however any assistance will surely help.
“We have no faith left whatsoever in the political process anymore,” Mr Nicholls said.
“Our government has abandoned us. All they want is coal mining and coal seam gas and to hell with the man on the land”.
“It’s a little bit too late but now they’re in full swing,” Ashley Whitney said.
“Hopefully things will turn around pretty quickly.”
He added that governments should be helping farmers in the good times with tax rebates and tax concessions to build new silos to store feed, sink new bores, build new dams and offer cheap loans.