Job losses are a ‘basin plan reality’
The government and the MDBA must be willing to accept that the basin plan has played its part in the approximate 50 job losses of SunRice employees across the Riverina.
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While low inflows have played a part in the low allocations this year, there is no secret that the removal of productive water from the region has resulted in less productive water for annual crops like rice. In fact, 27 per cent of Murray Irrigation water entitlements have been recovered for environmental purposes since 1995; 268 gigalitres through the Murray-Darling Basin Plan alone.
We are currently sitting on 19 per cent water allocation, pre-basin plan we would have access to an additional 50 gigalitres, this could have grown 50,000 tonnes of rice. How many people would have remained employed and for how long?
I acknowledge that Deniliquin rice mill is a huge employer for our district and that this issue can no longer be stepped around, the basin plan is affecting rural businesses, employees, families and communities. Southern Riverina Irrigators are calling on the government, now that parliament has returned for sitting, to show leadership and vision. We hope that there is someone brave enough to stand up for what is right for the country, economically and socially.
What a shame that Mr Turnbull cannot see the wasted economic revenue that is the result of poor policy and planning. We have everyday Australians screaming that they don’t want an increase in the GST. There would be no need if Australian irrigators were allowed to do what they do best: produce food and fibre efficiently; high quality and quantity, which would take pressure off.
Graeme Pyle
Southern Riverina Irrigators
Protect your dogs
As the long, hot summer continues, PETA continues to receive reports of dogs dying or suffering from heat exhaustion after being left inside hot cars, even when the windows were slightly lowered.
During warm weather, even dogs who are left in the shade can quickly succumb to heatstroke and sustain brain damage as a result. On a 30-degree day, the temperature inside a car parked in the sun can reach 54 degrees in just minutes.
If you see a dog showing any symptoms of heatstroke – including restlessness, heavy panting, vomiting, lethargy and lack of coordination– get the animal into the shade immediately. You can lower a symptomatic dog's body temperature by providing the dog with water, applying a cold towel to the dog's head and chest or immersing the dog in tepid (not ice-cold) water, then call a veterinarian.
PETA makes the following suggestions for safeguarding dogs during the summer:
- Avoid parked cars: Never leave an animal in a parked car in warm weather, even for short periods with the windows slightly open. Dogs trapped inside parked cars can succumb to heatstroke within minutes – even if the car isn't parked in direct sunlight.
- Keep dogs indoors: Unlike humans, dogs can only sweat through their footpads and cool themselves by panting. Soaring temperatures can cause heat stress and be physically damaging or fatal.
- Walk, don't run: In very hot, humid weather, never exercise dogs by running them while you jog. Dogs will collapse before giving up.
- Provide water and shade: If animals must be left outside, they should be supplied with ample water and shade, and the shifting sun needs to be taken into account.
If you see animals in distress, give them immediate relief by providing water – and contact humane authorities right away.