Expanded drought package targets pastoralists, mental health

As part of the state's $21-million drought package, announced in December, underspent funding has been reallocated to new areas.

This includes an extra $2m for mental health outreach services under an enhanced Family and Business Support program, as well as $330,000 available for community drought recovery events.

A 50 per cent pastoral lease rent rebate, previously available to those eligible for or receiving the Farm Household Allowance, has been extended to all pastoralists.

The state government has also employed another full-time wild dog trapper, allocated $200,000 for wild dog baits, and set a bounty of $120 for dogs shot south of the Dog Fence, claimable by landholders in drought-affected councils and the unincorporated area.

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The government said it would also be working with Livestock SA on measures to fund the industry's share of the $25m rebuild of the Dog Fence, with industry presently expected to contribute $5m, raised through annual Dog Fence rates for pastoralists of $2 a square kilometre - up from $1.33/sqkm midway through last year - and a 12 cent per head levy on sheep sales and $1/hd on goat sales statewide.

Another change will be expanding the range of eligible projects available under the On-farm Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme, such as fixing existing bores or installing on-farm desalinators.

Premier Steven Marshall said the program was expanded following feedback from last month's drought tour of Cleve, Marree, Hawker and Orroroo.

"Many people in these drought-affected regions are doing it tough and I will continue to work with those directly impacted on the best way we can support them," he said.

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Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Tim Whetstone said the mental health funding would allow FaBS mentors to respond to direct requests for help from people or others concerned about the wellbeing of a family member, friend, neighbour or client.

"The mental health and wellbeing of those in our drought-affected communities is a priority, which is why we will further expand our FaBS program to provide door-to-door mental health outreach services," he said.

"FaBS mentors can assist in ensuring people are able to access technical advice, drought assistance and other support measures available through government, non-government, community and charity networks."

Marree pastoralist David Bell, Dulkaninna Station, says it is fantastic to see the state government extend its drought support package, but there is still more to be done.

"A lot of times when the government does these things it is a token trip and nothing happens but we have achieved quite a few things, especially extending the 50 per cent rebate for pastoral leases to all pastoralists not just those eligible for the farm household allowance, that is a big one," he said.

He said good mental health support and financial assistance was critical to keep families in the bush rather than have families split up and move to town for a job or to educate their children.

"We can't afford to lose any more people from outback SA so there are a few other things we will keep working on," he said.

He appreciates the enhanced drought support package but said both federal and state governments needed to commit to continual investment in infrastructure, especially upgrading roads and telecommunications, rather than just offering money during a drought.

"Take for example the water infrastructure grants, most probably now is not when we should be putting this in, it is when times are good and we have some money, we need 10 years of infrastructure investment to get the area back to a level playing field," he said.

"This helps us prepare for the next dry times and drought, otherwise every time we are falling further behind."

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For the three years until the end of January Marree has had less than 100mm of its 480mm average rainfall and while it has received most of that recently Mr Bell said it would be a long road for those in the area to get back on track financially, also dependent on having two to three years of above average rainfall ahead.

"This time is going to be very hard, this time is really unique with cattle numbers so low and the sheep industry as well- we haven't seen this in terms of high prices to get back in for more than 50 to 60 years," Mr Bell said.

Other new initiatives include $100,000 to address soil drift through a Soil Erosion Emergency Action Fund; plans for a regional banking forum; meetings with the National Association for Sustainable Agriculture Australia to discuss the impact of wild dog controls on organic status; options for strategic business reviews for small businesses and a push, alongside the federal government, to eliminate state-based freight subsidies that have distorted regional fodder markets.