92.7% Of New South Wales In Drought - Rain Prospects Bleak With Summer Ten Days Off

[hatrack]

THERE is no relief in sight for NSW farmers as they struggle with one of the worst droughts in history and record low water storage levels. Figures released yesterday show 92.7per cent of the state is drought-stricken, with no firm prospect of plentiful summer rains.

NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald said rural areas were "hanging on by a thread" and water levels were dire. "The Bureau of Meteorology is reporting a neutral outlook for summer rainfall," he said. "This means the chances of at least average rainfall during the coming three months are close to 50 per cent." Monthly figures showed the area of the state in drought had fallen from 93.6 per cent to 92.7 per cent, with 4.9 per cent marginal and 2.4 per cent satisfactory.

But the state's total water storage level had fallen by 3.4 per cent to 22.9 per cent. "This is 33.9 per cent lower than the same time last year and is the lowest for this time of year in this drought," Mr Macdonald said. NSW Opposition Leader Peter Debnam will announce plans today to spend $1billion on "drought-proofing" the state if he wins the March 24 election.

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But Professor Cullen warns that, as a result of climate change, the Government's "trigger" for construction of a controversial desalination plant -- dam levels falling below 30 per cent of capacity -- "may soon be reached". And he says the panel "strongly recommends desalination must remain a central part of the Government's water plan for Sydney".


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http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20905715-30417,00.html

[lebkuchen]

1. Friends of mine went bankrupt as a result of that drought

turned their world upside-down, had to sell most everything, including a mansion.