Farmers preparing for possible El Niño conditions

With a possible El Niño on the cards, Farmers for Climate Action is urging farmers to get on the front foot.

Farmers for Climate Action spokesperson Peter Holding, who farms at Harden NSW, said many farmers were concerned about the possibility of warmer, drier conditions and increased weather variability for eastern Australia this spring and summer.

“The Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) hasn’t called it yet, but it says there’s a 70% chance we’ll have an El Niño this year. It’s also worried dry conditions could be compounded by a positive Indian Ocean Dipole.”

Farmers for Climate Action, an organisation representing 8000 farmers, is hosting a webinar “El Niño explained” next week, bringing together a range of speakers, including from the BoM and Birchip Cropping Group.

Mr Holding said the webinar was aimed at supporting farmers to better understand what is coming, and also what they can do on farm to prepare.

“Although some farmers have had good conditions recently, we know things can change in a few months. This is a great opportunity to get your head around what’s coming and how you might think about responding.”

Mr Holding said that Australian farmers are great at adapting, but that ultimately we need to address the driving cause of climate change - emissions.

“Farmers are always looking three steps ahead to the next event but there are limits to their adaptation. While we adapt and mitigate on-farm, we need to know the rest of the economy is doing its bit to reduce emissions and tackle climate change, which is causing more frequent and severe weather events.”

Grazier Bruce Currie near Jericho in Queensland’s central-west, said prolonged hot, dry conditions would hit some farmers, but also rural communities. “Farmers aren’t, can’t and won’t wait for a formal El Niño declaration.” Mr Currie explained.

“Once a climate change-fuelled El Niño hits that lasts longer and is more severe, [it] means farmers have to de-stock earlier and for longer.”

Guest speakers at Farmers for Climate Action’s ‘El Niño explained’ webinar:

Catherine Ganter, Senior Climatologist at the Bureau of Meteorology, Graeme Hand a Holistic Management Certified Educator and Fiona Best, CEO of Birchip Cropping Group.

The webinar will be held on Thursday, 20 July at 12pm (AEST). To register and get Zoom link details, please visit the website: https:// tinyurl.com/4skw8eah

Regional Tech Hub Available To Help

I encourage anyone experiencing connectivity issues to make use of assistance available through the Regional Tech Hub.

The Australian Government funds the Regional Tech Hub, which provides free independent advice and support on telecommunications issues to Australians living and working in regional and remote locations, such as improving connectivity, resolving reception problems and how to use your home Wi-Fi to enable you to make calls and texts on your mobile phone.

The tech hub can be reached by phoning 1300 081 029 or visiting its website: https://regionaltechhub.org.au

Growing Regions Program

Round 1 of the Australian Government’s new Growing Regions Program is now open for applications from 5 July until 1 August 2023.

The program will provide grants of between $500,000 and $15 million to support capital works projects for community and economic infrastructure across regional, rural and remote areas.

While I encourage eligible not-for-profit organisations and local governments to consider applying, please note that many applicants will be required to make a significant co-funding contribution towards projects. If this requirement is restrictive please email me at mark.coulton.mp@aph. gov.au - it is important that the Government is made aware of whether their programs are accessible and practical for our communities.

For more details about the process of applying for these grants and eligibility criteria please visit the Department of Infrastructure website: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/ territoriesregions-cities/regional-australia/ regional-and-community-programs/ growing-regions-program

NEW INSTANT ASSET WRITE-OFF FALLS SHORT

Back in 2020 I discussed with locals the difference the Instant Asset Write-off would make to their businesses, allowing them to purchase machinery or other assets as a tax write-off.

This was a great stimulus for regional economies, feeding into local suppliers and contractors.

The new Instant Asset Write-off is the lowest it has been since 2019 and my concern is that this falls short of providing our regions with what has been a fantastic supporter of productivity, especially for agricultural areas. To read my media release: https://www. markcoulton.com.au/new-instant-assetwrite-offfalls-short

My First Speech Competition Opens

Together with the Speaker of the House Milton Dick MP I invite students across the Parkes electorate in years 10, 11 and 12 to submit an entry to the My First Speech Competition. This competition asks students in years 10 to 12 to imagine themselves as a newly elected Member of the House of Representatives. The task is to write and present a 90 second first speech highlighting issues they are passionate about.

Three lucky students will be flown to Canberra with a parent or guardian to present their speeches live and undertake a program of meetings at Parliament House.

Students have from Monday 3 July 2023 until Friday 11 August 2023 to submit an entry. Please visit the website for more information: https://www.aph.gov.au/ myfirstspeechttps://regionaltechhub.org.au