Country_Gal,

I've had some experience with crotching sheep and de-nutting goats so I have an idea of the smell :). Well that and standing up wind of one of the most foul smelling and foul tempered billy goats in the world.

The idea does bear further investigation though. Its programmes like this, which if fine tuned and expanded can really prove to be a boon to both the environment and the farming families.

James, its got the potential to be a win-win - I'll keep a very interested eye on the program.

tristan, I got hit before with posting limits, so didnt get to finish off what else I wanted to say on the water issue, so here 'tis:

Given that cost recovery is seen as important (and I dont disagree), this is the arguement for the annual fixed charge. I dont even necessarily have a problem with this in a normal cycle (eg if there are allocation cuts for 1 year due to dry weather, then its not too bad), but in exceptional circumstances like we currently have, this is where it really hurts farmers. Perhaps a compromise is when there is a singificant cut in allocation over an extended period of time, then the fixed costs can be deferred until normal delivery starts again and built into the usage charge. At least then farmers would only be paying for it if they were able to grow something to make money off.

The State Water website is: www.statewater.com.au, and it has links to the IPART website. Note too that the annual costs have been set for the next 4 years to increase by CPI + 5.8% per year - but farmers arent likely to get that sort of increase in general return = more shrinking margins

Sorry if its a little disjointed due to flowing on from earlier posts!

Country_Gal

I'm looking for ideas on Rural policy and I wouldn't mind hearing more of what you have to say.

If you could drop me an email to address on this page:

http://jamespurser.com.au/TalkToMe

That would be great.

James Purser: "Well that and standing up wind of one of the most foul smelling and foul tempered billy goats in the world."

Just as well you weren't standing downwind of him! :P

heh,

It didn't matter which direction you stood, you still got enveloped in that cloud.

Lets all keep in mind our primary producers come election time.
I am fed up with dole bludgers and non-workers getting away with this crap.
In a so-called civilised world we all have to earn our place.
I am so sick of copping a tax bill to subsidise this scum.
How many of us have the opportunity to rort the system by being able to work but choosing not to do anything but watch oprah and get pissed while making us tax-payers miserable by being rats on a treadmill so those who choose the indignity of bludgerism superior.
I thank god I live in a country where people are still willing to farm despite the garbage that is chucked in their faces.