NSW: Farmers hoping for rain as more of the state in drought

AAP General News (Australia)
12-13-2009
NSW: Farmers hoping for rain as more of the state in drought

SYDNEY, Dec 13 AAP - Farmers across NSW are desperately hoping for some Christmas rain,
with more than 80 per cent of the state now drought stricken.

The latest figures show 80.8 per cent of the state is now in drought - up from 73.6
per cent in October - with 14.8 per cent considered marginal.

Just 4.4 per cent is satisfactory, an increase from 1.9 per cent in October.

The most recent drought-declared districts are New England, Cumberland, Darling and
Tablelands regions, and the state's central west, mid north coast and northwest.

Primary Industries Minister Steve Whan said the figures paint a bleak picture and the
drought is likely to get worse, with a hot, dry summer predicted.

"Rain is desperately needed over the Christmas/new year period to replenish water supplies
that are close to running out in many regions," Mr Whan said in a statement on Sunday.

Mr Whan is with Premier Kristina Keneally on a two day tour of regional NSW, visiting
Armidale and Bundarra, in the New England area, and Wyangala Dam and Cowra in the state's
central west.

Ms Keneally announced an extension of government initiatives to help farmers including
the drought support worker program, which provides immediate personal support and basic
information for farmers.

The Farm Family Gatherings, which are social activities for rural families, have also
been continued under the $8 million extension of the measures, along with drought workshops.

The state opposition industry spokesman Duncan Gay said the drought figures were horrendous.

"Underlying those figures is the desperation and the depression of the families that
are operating out there," Mr Gay told AAP.

"There wouldn't be a family in regional NSW that hasn't had a friend or a (relative)
that's succumbed to depression during this drought and that's one of the human tragedies
that keeps going."

He said the premier's announcements needed to extend further to provide more mental
health workers, more rural councils to interact between families and banks and extra financial
grants.

"These sort of figures ... mean that it would be the same as 80 per cent of the businesses
in Sydney are doing it tough, having very little or no income."

AAP sg/jfm

KEYWORD: DROUGHT WRAP (PIX AVAILABLE)

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