❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the lack of drought declaration for the Nullarbor area, highlighting the stress on perennial vegetation and seeking government action. The Minister acknowledges the issue, explains the criteria for drought declaration, and outlines planned inspections to assess the situation.
AnsweredQoN 933Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DROUGHT DECLARATION FOR NULLARBOR AREA
I refer the minister specifically to the question of drought declaration for the Nullarbor area. I have seen for myself the damage caused by the present drought, which I am told is the most devastating since the Nullarbor was opened up for the pastoral industry. (1) Will the minister explain why there has been no drought declaration for the Nullarbor area? (2) Is the minister aware that the perennial saltbush and bluebush are showing severe stress? (3) Does the minister agree that destocking is the only way to protect this resource and that a drought declaration is the best way to facilitate this? (4) What does the minister intend to do about the present crisis? Hon KIM CHANCE
I refer the minister specifically to the question of drought declaration for the Nullarbor area. I have seen for myself the damage caused by the present drought, which I am told is the most devastating since the Nullarbor was opened up for the pastoral industry. (1) Will the minister explain why there has been no drought declaration for the Nullarbor area? (2) Is the minister aware that the perennial saltbush and bluebush are showing severe stress? (3) Does the minister agree that destocking is the only way to protect this resource and that a drought declaration is the best way to facilitate this? (4) What does the minister intend to do about the present crisis? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank Hon Vincent Catania for providing some notice of the question. (1) No drought declaration mechanism has been used in Western Australia since 1985. However, the Australian government has a declaration mechanism for exceptional circumstances for one-in-25-year events. This requires the involvement of all stakeholders - that is, the pastoralists, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and the Department of Agriculture - and the consideration of climatic information, rangeland condition and financial information from pastoral properties. The rainfall data for this area does not support prima facie a greater than one-in-25-year event. (2) The dominant saltbush on the Nullarbor will demonstrate water stress and loss of foliage in both grazed and ungrazed circumstances. However, stressed areas of perennial plant species will be inspected and considered along with all other information about the area. (3) No. Destocking is an individual management decision, and it would not be influenced by any form of drought declaration. Adjusting total grazing pressure - that is, per water point or unit area, including non-domesticated grazing animals - is one tool that can be implemented to minimise impacts of poor seasons, particularly winter seasons, which normally produce the majority of the annual forage across the Nullarbor. Another method is to develop additional good water supplies in currently unwatered areas within leases. (4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
(1) Will the minister explain why there has been no drought declaration for the Nullarbor area? (2) Is the minister aware that the perennial saltbush and bluebush are showing severe stress? (3) Does the minister agree that destocking is the only way to protect this resource and that a drought declaration is the best way to facilitate this? (4) What does the minister intend to do about the present crisis? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Vincent Catania for providing some notice of the question. (1) No drought declaration mechanism has been used in Western Australia since 1985. However, the Australian government has a declaration mechanism for exceptional circumstances for one-in-25-year events. This requires the involvement of all stakeholders - that is, the pastoralists, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and the Department of Agriculture - and the consideration of climatic information, rangeland condition and financial information from pastoral properties. The rainfall data for this area does not support prima facie a greater than one-in-25-year event. (2) The dominant saltbush on the Nullarbor will demonstrate water stress and loss of foliage in both grazed and ungrazed circumstances. However, stressed areas of perennial plant species will be inspected and considered along with all other information about the area. (3) No. Destocking is an individual management decision, and it would not be influenced by any form of drought declaration. Adjusting total grazing pressure - that is, per water point or unit area, including non-domesticated grazing animals - is one tool that can be implemented to minimise impacts of poor seasons, particularly winter seasons, which normally produce the majority of the annual forage across the Nullarbor. Another method is to develop additional good water supplies in currently unwatered areas within leases. (4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
(2) Is the minister aware that the perennial saltbush and bluebush are showing severe stress? (3) Does the minister agree that destocking is the only way to protect this resource and that a drought declaration is the best way to facilitate this? (4) What does the minister intend to do about the present crisis? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Vincent Catania for providing some notice of the question. (1) No drought declaration mechanism has been used in Western Australia since 1985. However, the Australian government has a declaration mechanism for exceptional circumstances for one-in-25-year events. This requires the involvement of all stakeholders - that is, the pastoralists, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and the Department of Agriculture - and the consideration of climatic information, rangeland condition and financial information from pastoral properties. The rainfall data for this area does not support prima facie a greater than one-in-25-year event. (2) The dominant saltbush on the Nullarbor will demonstrate water stress and loss of foliage in both grazed and ungrazed circumstances. However, stressed areas of perennial plant species will be inspected and considered along with all other information about the area. (3) No. Destocking is an individual management decision, and it would not be influenced by any form of drought declaration. Adjusting total grazing pressure - that is, per water point or unit area, including non-domesticated grazing animals - is one tool that can be implemented to minimise impacts of poor seasons, particularly winter seasons, which normally produce the majority of the annual forage across the Nullarbor. Another method is to develop additional good water supplies in currently unwatered areas within leases. (4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
(3) Does the minister agree that destocking is the only way to protect this resource and that a drought declaration is the best way to facilitate this? (4) What does the minister intend to do about the present crisis? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Vincent Catania for providing some notice of the question. (1) No drought declaration mechanism has been used in Western Australia since 1985. However, the Australian government has a declaration mechanism for exceptional circumstances for one-in-25-year events. This requires the involvement of all stakeholders - that is, the pastoralists, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and the Department of Agriculture - and the consideration of climatic information, rangeland condition and financial information from pastoral properties. The rainfall data for this area does not support prima facie a greater than one-in-25-year event. (2) The dominant saltbush on the Nullarbor will demonstrate water stress and loss of foliage in both grazed and ungrazed circumstances. However, stressed areas of perennial plant species will be inspected and considered along with all other information about the area. (3) No. Destocking is an individual management decision, and it would not be influenced by any form of drought declaration. Adjusting total grazing pressure - that is, per water point or unit area, including non-domesticated grazing animals - is one tool that can be implemented to minimise impacts of poor seasons, particularly winter seasons, which normally produce the majority of the annual forage across the Nullarbor. Another method is to develop additional good water supplies in currently unwatered areas within leases. (4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
(4) What does the minister intend to do about the present crisis? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Vincent Catania for providing some notice of the question. (1) No drought declaration mechanism has been used in Western Australia since 1985. However, the Australian government has a declaration mechanism for exceptional circumstances for one-in-25-year events. This requires the involvement of all stakeholders - that is, the pastoralists, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and the Department of Agriculture - and the consideration of climatic information, rangeland condition and financial information from pastoral properties. The rainfall data for this area does not support prima facie a greater than one-in-25-year event. (2) The dominant saltbush on the Nullarbor will demonstrate water stress and loss of foliage in both grazed and ungrazed circumstances. However, stressed areas of perennial plant species will be inspected and considered along with all other information about the area. (3) No. Destocking is an individual management decision, and it would not be influenced by any form of drought declaration. Adjusting total grazing pressure - that is, per water point or unit area, including non-domesticated grazing animals - is one tool that can be implemented to minimise impacts of poor seasons, particularly winter seasons, which normally produce the majority of the annual forage across the Nullarbor. Another method is to develop additional good water supplies in currently unwatered areas within leases. (4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Vincent Catania for providing some notice of the question. (1) No drought declaration mechanism has been used in Western Australia since 1985. However, the Australian government has a declaration mechanism for exceptional circumstances for one-in-25-year events. This requires the involvement of all stakeholders - that is, the pastoralists, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and the Department of Agriculture - and the consideration of climatic information, rangeland condition and financial information from pastoral properties. The rainfall data for this area does not support prima facie a greater than one-in-25-year event. (2) The dominant saltbush on the Nullarbor will demonstrate water stress and loss of foliage in both grazed and ungrazed circumstances. However, stressed areas of perennial plant species will be inspected and considered along with all other information about the area. (3) No. Destocking is an individual management decision, and it would not be influenced by any form of drought declaration. Adjusting total grazing pressure - that is, per water point or unit area, including non-domesticated grazing animals - is one tool that can be implemented to minimise impacts of poor seasons, particularly winter seasons, which normally produce the majority of the annual forage across the Nullarbor. Another method is to develop additional good water supplies in currently unwatered areas within leases. (4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
I thank Hon Vincent Catania for providing some notice of the question. (1) No drought declaration mechanism has been used in Western Australia since 1985. However, the Australian government has a declaration mechanism for exceptional circumstances for one-in-25-year events. This requires the involvement of all stakeholders - that is, the pastoralists, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and the Department of Agriculture - and the consideration of climatic information, rangeland condition and financial information from pastoral properties. The rainfall data for this area does not support prima facie a greater than one-in-25-year event. (2) The dominant saltbush on the Nullarbor will demonstrate water stress and loss of foliage in both grazed and ungrazed circumstances. However, stressed areas of perennial plant species will be inspected and considered along with all other information about the area. (3) No. Destocking is an individual management decision, and it would not be influenced by any form of drought declaration. Adjusting total grazing pressure - that is, per water point or unit area, including non-domesticated grazing animals - is one tool that can be implemented to minimise impacts of poor seasons, particularly winter seasons, which normally produce the majority of the annual forage across the Nullarbor. Another method is to develop additional good water supplies in currently unwatered areas within leases. (4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
(1) No drought declaration mechanism has been used in Western Australia since 1985. However, the Australian government has a declaration mechanism for exceptional circumstances for one-in-25-year events. This requires the involvement of all stakeholders - that is, the pastoralists, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and the Department of Agriculture - and the consideration of climatic information, rangeland condition and financial information from pastoral properties. The rainfall data for this area does not support prima facie a greater than one-in-25-year event. (2) The dominant saltbush on the Nullarbor will demonstrate water stress and loss of foliage in both grazed and ungrazed circumstances. However, stressed areas of perennial plant species will be inspected and considered along with all other information about the area. (3) No. Destocking is an individual management decision, and it would not be influenced by any form of drought declaration. Adjusting total grazing pressure - that is, per water point or unit area, including non-domesticated grazing animals - is one tool that can be implemented to minimise impacts of poor seasons, particularly winter seasons, which normally produce the majority of the annual forage across the Nullarbor. Another method is to develop additional good water supplies in currently unwatered areas within leases. (4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
(2) The dominant saltbush on the Nullarbor will demonstrate water stress and loss of foliage in both grazed and ungrazed circumstances. However, stressed areas of perennial plant species will be inspected and considered along with all other information about the area. (3) No. Destocking is an individual management decision, and it would not be influenced by any form of drought declaration. Adjusting total grazing pressure - that is, per water point or unit area, including non-domesticated grazing animals - is one tool that can be implemented to minimise impacts of poor seasons, particularly winter seasons, which normally produce the majority of the annual forage across the Nullarbor. Another method is to develop additional good water supplies in currently unwatered areas within leases. (4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
(3) No. Destocking is an individual management decision, and it would not be influenced by any form of drought declaration. Adjusting total grazing pressure - that is, per water point or unit area, including non-domesticated grazing animals - is one tool that can be implemented to minimise impacts of poor seasons, particularly winter seasons, which normally produce the majority of the annual forage across the Nullarbor. Another method is to develop additional good water supplies in currently unwatered areas within leases. (4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
(4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
(1) Will the minister explain why there has been no drought declaration for the Nullarbor area? (2) Is the minister aware that the perennial saltbush and bluebush are showing severe stress? (3) Does the minister agree that destocking is the only way to protect this resource and that a drought declaration is the best way to facilitate this? (4) What does the minister intend to do about the present crisis? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Vincent Catania for providing some notice of the question. (1) No drought declaration mechanism has been used in Western Australia since 1985. However, the Australian government has a declaration mechanism for exceptional circumstances for one-in-25-year events. This requires the involvement of all stakeholders - that is, the pastoralists, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and the Department of Agriculture - and the consideration of climatic information, rangeland condition and financial information from pastoral properties. The rainfall data for this area does not support prima facie a greater than one-in-25-year event. (2) The dominant saltbush on the Nullarbor will demonstrate water stress and loss of foliage in both grazed and ungrazed circumstances. However, stressed areas of perennial plant species will be inspected and considered along with all other information about the area. (3) No. Destocking is an individual management decision, and it would not be influenced by any form of drought declaration. Adjusting total grazing pressure - that is, per water point or unit area, including non-domesticated grazing animals - is one tool that can be implemented to minimise impacts of poor seasons, particularly winter seasons, which normally produce the majority of the annual forage across the Nullarbor. Another method is to develop additional good water supplies in currently unwatered areas within leases. (4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
(2) Is the minister aware that the perennial saltbush and bluebush are showing severe stress? (3) Does the minister agree that destocking is the only way to protect this resource and that a drought declaration is the best way to facilitate this? (4) What does the minister intend to do about the present crisis? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Vincent Catania for providing some notice of the question. (1) No drought declaration mechanism has been used in Western Australia since 1985. However, the Australian government has a declaration mechanism for exceptional circumstances for one-in-25-year events. This requires the involvement of all stakeholders - that is, the pastoralists, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and the Department of Agriculture - and the consideration of climatic information, rangeland condition and financial information from pastoral properties. The rainfall data for this area does not support prima facie a greater than one-in-25-year event. (2) The dominant saltbush on the Nullarbor will demonstrate water stress and loss of foliage in both grazed and ungrazed circumstances. However, stressed areas of perennial plant species will be inspected and considered along with all other information about the area. (3) No. Destocking is an individual management decision, and it would not be influenced by any form of drought declaration. Adjusting total grazing pressure - that is, per water point or unit area, including non-domesticated grazing animals - is one tool that can be implemented to minimise impacts of poor seasons, particularly winter seasons, which normally produce the majority of the annual forage across the Nullarbor. Another method is to develop additional good water supplies in currently unwatered areas within leases. (4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
(3) Does the minister agree that destocking is the only way to protect this resource and that a drought declaration is the best way to facilitate this? (4) What does the minister intend to do about the present crisis? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Vincent Catania for providing some notice of the question. (1) No drought declaration mechanism has been used in Western Australia since 1985. However, the Australian government has a declaration mechanism for exceptional circumstances for one-in-25-year events. This requires the involvement of all stakeholders - that is, the pastoralists, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and the Department of Agriculture - and the consideration of climatic information, rangeland condition and financial information from pastoral properties. The rainfall data for this area does not support prima facie a greater than one-in-25-year event. (2) The dominant saltbush on the Nullarbor will demonstrate water stress and loss of foliage in both grazed and ungrazed circumstances. However, stressed areas of perennial plant species will be inspected and considered along with all other information about the area. (3) No. Destocking is an individual management decision, and it would not be influenced by any form of drought declaration. Adjusting total grazing pressure - that is, per water point or unit area, including non-domesticated grazing animals - is one tool that can be implemented to minimise impacts of poor seasons, particularly winter seasons, which normally produce the majority of the annual forage across the Nullarbor. Another method is to develop additional good water supplies in currently unwatered areas within leases. (4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
(4) What does the minister intend to do about the present crisis? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Vincent Catania for providing some notice of the question. (1) No drought declaration mechanism has been used in Western Australia since 1985. However, the Australian government has a declaration mechanism for exceptional circumstances for one-in-25-year events. This requires the involvement of all stakeholders - that is, the pastoralists, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and the Department of Agriculture - and the consideration of climatic information, rangeland condition and financial information from pastoral properties. The rainfall data for this area does not support prima facie a greater than one-in-25-year event. (2) The dominant saltbush on the Nullarbor will demonstrate water stress and loss of foliage in both grazed and ungrazed circumstances. However, stressed areas of perennial plant species will be inspected and considered along with all other information about the area. (3) No. Destocking is an individual management decision, and it would not be influenced by any form of drought declaration. Adjusting total grazing pressure - that is, per water point or unit area, including non-domesticated grazing animals - is one tool that can be implemented to minimise impacts of poor seasons, particularly winter seasons, which normally produce the majority of the annual forage across the Nullarbor. Another method is to develop additional good water supplies in currently unwatered areas within leases. (4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank Hon Vincent Catania for providing some notice of the question. (1) No drought declaration mechanism has been used in Western Australia since 1985. However, the Australian government has a declaration mechanism for exceptional circumstances for one-in-25-year events. This requires the involvement of all stakeholders - that is, the pastoralists, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and the Department of Agriculture - and the consideration of climatic information, rangeland condition and financial information from pastoral properties. The rainfall data for this area does not support prima facie a greater than one-in-25-year event. (2) The dominant saltbush on the Nullarbor will demonstrate water stress and loss of foliage in both grazed and ungrazed circumstances. However, stressed areas of perennial plant species will be inspected and considered along with all other information about the area. (3) No. Destocking is an individual management decision, and it would not be influenced by any form of drought declaration. Adjusting total grazing pressure - that is, per water point or unit area, including non-domesticated grazing animals - is one tool that can be implemented to minimise impacts of poor seasons, particularly winter seasons, which normally produce the majority of the annual forage across the Nullarbor. Another method is to develop additional good water supplies in currently unwatered areas within leases. (4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
I thank Hon Vincent Catania for providing some notice of the question. (1) No drought declaration mechanism has been used in Western Australia since 1985. However, the Australian government has a declaration mechanism for exceptional circumstances for one-in-25-year events. This requires the involvement of all stakeholders - that is, the pastoralists, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and the Department of Agriculture - and the consideration of climatic information, rangeland condition and financial information from pastoral properties. The rainfall data for this area does not support prima facie a greater than one-in-25-year event. (2) The dominant saltbush on the Nullarbor will demonstrate water stress and loss of foliage in both grazed and ungrazed circumstances. However, stressed areas of perennial plant species will be inspected and considered along with all other information about the area. (3) No. Destocking is an individual management decision, and it would not be influenced by any form of drought declaration. Adjusting total grazing pressure - that is, per water point or unit area, including non-domesticated grazing animals - is one tool that can be implemented to minimise impacts of poor seasons, particularly winter seasons, which normally produce the majority of the annual forage across the Nullarbor. Another method is to develop additional good water supplies in currently unwatered areas within leases. (4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
(1) No drought declaration mechanism has been used in Western Australia since 1985. However, the Australian government has a declaration mechanism for exceptional circumstances for one-in-25-year events. This requires the involvement of all stakeholders - that is, the pastoralists, the Pastoralists and Graziers Association and the Department of Agriculture - and the consideration of climatic information, rangeland condition and financial information from pastoral properties. The rainfall data for this area does not support prima facie a greater than one-in-25-year event. (2) The dominant saltbush on the Nullarbor will demonstrate water stress and loss of foliage in both grazed and ungrazed circumstances. However, stressed areas of perennial plant species will be inspected and considered along with all other information about the area. (3) No. Destocking is an individual management decision, and it would not be influenced by any form of drought declaration. Adjusting total grazing pressure - that is, per water point or unit area, including non-domesticated grazing animals - is one tool that can be implemented to minimise impacts of poor seasons, particularly winter seasons, which normally produce the majority of the annual forage across the Nullarbor. Another method is to develop additional good water supplies in currently unwatered areas within leases. (4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
(2) The dominant saltbush on the Nullarbor will demonstrate water stress and loss of foliage in both grazed and ungrazed circumstances. However, stressed areas of perennial plant species will be inspected and considered along with all other information about the area. (3) No. Destocking is an individual management decision, and it would not be influenced by any form of drought declaration. Adjusting total grazing pressure - that is, per water point or unit area, including non-domesticated grazing animals - is one tool that can be implemented to minimise impacts of poor seasons, particularly winter seasons, which normally produce the majority of the annual forage across the Nullarbor. Another method is to develop additional good water supplies in currently unwatered areas within leases. (4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
(3) No. Destocking is an individual management decision, and it would not be influenced by any form of drought declaration. Adjusting total grazing pressure - that is, per water point or unit area, including non-domesticated grazing animals - is one tool that can be implemented to minimise impacts of poor seasons, particularly winter seasons, which normally produce the majority of the annual forage across the Nullarbor. Another method is to develop additional good water supplies in currently unwatered areas within leases. (4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
(4) Rainfall figures for the area do not show that the Nullarbor currently qualifies prima facie for exceptional circumstances. To make a full assessment of the situation, Department of Agriculture officers from Kalgoorlie will travel to the Nullarbor during the week 12 to 16 December this year to visit a number of properties across the district and to meet with concerned pastoralists on a one-to-one basis to collect climatic and production information. Production information was previously requested by the Department of Agriculture during a presentation by the exceptional circumstances officers from South Perth at a Nullarbor land conservation district meeting, which I think was also attended by Hon Dexter Davies and which was held on 23 June 2005. Only three responses were received. Department of Agriculture officers will therefore collect the information while in the field from lessees wishing to participate.
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