Water Minister Dave Kelly has today declared a water deficiency for Mount Short in the Shire of Ravensthorpe and announced government departments will cart water to farmers to protect animal welfare in the affected area.
The official declaration follows an application from the Shire, on behalf of farmers in Mount Short. Low rainfall has resulted in livestock water supply shortages in the area and therefore there is a need for farmers to draw heavily on local off-farm community water supplies.
The declaration will see the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) cart water to a tank in Mount Short to reduce the distance that local farmers have to travel to source emergency water for their livestock.
The water deficiency declaration is a Government response to support livestock welfare.
The State Government maintains an extensive network of community water supplies across the State that are accessible to farmers in times when on-farm water supplies are low. A declaration is a last resort after all available community water supplies have been exhausted.
DWER is liaising with local shires and farmers on their water requirements in other affected areas, advising on the best community water supplies available. DWER is also supporting and encouraging Community Water Supply Program grant applications in areas of need.
Water carting arrangements are being managed by DWER with support from the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the Water Corporation.
As stated by Water Minister Dave Kelly:
"Climate change has contributed to low winter rainfall and no follow up summer rainfall, particularly in the mid-northern region of the Shire of Ravensthorpe.
"Water carting to the area will begin tomorrow and affected farmers are being notified directly on where to collect their supplies.
"These water supplies are for emergency use at times when low rainfall causes on-farm supplies to fail and forces farmers to travel longer distances to collect water for livestock.
"The State Government works closely with Shires and farmers impacted by low rainfall due to climate change to identify new source opportunities and ensure existing sources are accessible."
As stated by Agriculture and Food Minister Alannah MacTiernan:
"We have been closely monitoring the rainfall conditions affecting Ravensthorpe farmers.
"This measure will help farmers by reducing the distance from farms to emergency water for livestock.
"We will continue to work closely with local farmers, providing resources to assist in crucial decision making as the season progresses."
