Grasmere drain overflowing across the Lower Denmark Road

The Bureau of Meteorology recorded heavy rainfall, flooding and gale force winds righ across the southern parts of the south west land division from 31 March to 2 April this year.

"The heaviest rainfall was recorded at Broomehill near Katanning where 142 mm fell in the 24 hours to 9am on the 1st. Further heavy rain on the 1st towards the south coast broke many daily and 48 hour rainfall records for the area. Kendenup recorded 125mm to 9am on the 2nd. Albany Airport recorded 218.2 mm in the three days to the 2nd including a daily fall of 104.8mm on the 2nd. Albany airport recorded sustained gales on the 1st April."

Chris Westcott reports on damage to local potato farmers.

Albany potato growers have suffered substantial losses caused by recent heavy rains recorded in Albany.

Between 210 and 260mm were recorded in a 48 hour period from 31 March to the 1 April. In addition to the rainfall, severe flooding resulted from `run off' in the catchment. The drainage system just could not cope with the amount of water raining down and running over the landscape.

In the Albany area approximately 4,000 tons of seed potatoes have been lost at a cost of about $2 million. The reduction of this seed will affect other potato growing areas in Western Australia and exports interstate and overseas.


Cauliflowers ready for picking Cuthbert
It will take several years for growers to replace their existing seed stocks and to recover financially. It is the worst loss that I have experienced in over 30 years of potato growing!
Chris Westcott


Seed potatoes ready for harvest, Chris Westcott's Elleker

More funding through the Torbay Catchment Group to support protection of waterways and bush remnants is available. The money has been provided by the Department of Environment.

Up to half of the total cost of waterways and bush fencing can be covered. "There are no strings attached to the funding," said Bob Gretton, Torbay catchment support officer. "There are no covenants - you own and manage your own land. It would be a good idea to get in fast as these funds need to be allocated by the 30 June 05.

Landholders have twelve months to complete the project, to fit in with other property work and seasonal constraints.

Landholders who have had grants previously can apply again for new projects. "Many landholders start with a small project to make sure it fits with their property management", said Bob. "We expect people to come back over several years to build on their initial work."

Watering points, and stock and vehicle crossings planned as part of waterways fencing can be covered under the funding. The cost of seedlings for waterways revegetation projects is also covered as part of the package.

Further funding to implement the Torbay Catchment Restoration Plan is likely to be available from August this year.
Call Bob Gretton at Green Skills 9848 1019 or after hours 9840 9344.

When it rains

When the water runs out and we're caught in a drought,
Every man and his mongrel complains,
But you'd have to concede that in fact and indeed,
When it rains here, it bloody well rains.

It's no bundle of fun when you toil in the sun,
With your mouth full of bush flies and dust,
Though this drought's not the first, you're convinced it's the worst,
Mother Nature seems cruel and unjust.

Then you're sleeping one night and you wake up in fright,
And you reckon you're dreaming again,
But that noise on the roof is the first living proof,
That we're actually getting some rain.

You should get out of bed, but you lie there instead,
While your better half slumbers and snores,
It falls lightly at first, then the clouds seem to burst,
And it pours mate - it bloody well pours.

Then it runs through the yard where the ground's still rock hard;
Overflows all the gutters and tanks,
Your religion ain't strong, get it doesn't seem wrong
To look up to the sky and give thanks.

But it rains for a week; the road runs like a creek;
Soon the ground's like a soggy sponge cake,
And the sheep chew their cud with a mouthful of mud,
And the home paddock looks like a lake.

Just think back a few days, through the heat and the haze,
You'd have given your soul for a drop,
Now it's still belting down and you can't get to town;
Will this rain ever bloody well stop?

Yes, we moan when it's hot and we whinge when it's not,
Every year it's the same old refrains,
But we always get by; there's one good reason why;
When it rains here - it bloody well rains!

Peter Blyth, Gold Fever & Other Diseases

Peter is a member of the Torbay Catchment Group, he previously farmed near Esperance.


The Torbay Inlet bar self opened with the floods

[Back] [Next]