Parts of parched SA Outback finally get a drink

Parts of South Australia’s Outback have enjoyed their wettest day in more than a year, raising hopes for drought-breaking rain as the government extends millions in relief funds.

Eloise Fargher Carmichael, 2, at Angorichina Station, north of Flinders Ranges, after the rain overnight. They received 26mm. Picture: Alice Fargher

Parts of South Australia’s Outback have enjoyed their wettest day in more than a year, raising hopes it could be the first bout of “drought-breaking” rain so desperately needed.

A cool change swept across the state late on Sunday and into yesterday morning, with the city receiving 2.6mm of rain — the second wettest day of the year.

Joyous Aldgate resident Ava Loechelsaid the 11mm of rainfall in the Hills was a drenching the garden needed.

But it was the residents in the far northeast that were celebrating the most.

Moomba recorded 13mm of rain since Sunday — its largest drenching since March 23 last year, while Kalamurina, near Lake Eyre, recorded 42mm.

Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Vince Rowlands said the rainfall was due to ex-tropical Cyclone Trevor moving inland and similar levels of rain are forecast for today.

“It’s a pretty moist environment, so any thunderstorm activity up there is going to produce some pretty heavy rainfall,” Mr Rowlands said yesterday.

Ava Loechel, 17, enjoying a break in the weather with some much needed rain to freshen her family’s garden in Aldgate. Picture: Tricia Watkinson.

“In the far northeast corner we could see some falls up to about 80mm.”

Further south in a separate rain band, 36mm fell on Wilpena, while Angorichina Station, near Blinman in the Flinders Ranges, received 26mm.

The station’s youngest resident, Eloise, 2, took the rare opportunity to play in the flooded creeks and waterholes.

“I have fond memories of playing in the flooding creeks when I was a child, so I am grateful Eloise has the opportunity as well,” mum Alice Fargher said.

“We have been desperate for this rain for our stock, native animals and vegetation … hopefully there is more to come.”

Livestock SA president Joe Keynes said the rainfall was a welcome relief for the northern pastoral areas, where many farmers have been forced to destock properties.

“Let’s hope it’s drought-breaking for them, but there’s no guarantees,” Mr Keynes said.

“I would have thought over the whole of the state, most producers are now handfeeding extensively.

Weather graphic art for web

“Given the Bureau of Meteorology’s outlook for the next couple of months — to be drier than normal — people are going to have to consider feeding beyond the Anzac Day break.”

Given the difficult conditions facing the state’s producers, the Federal Government today extended its $75 million Drought Communities program to five more SA communities. Peterborough, Berri/Barmera, Flinders Ranges, Murray Bridge and Light councils will each receive $1 million to help pay for projects to stimulate communities.

Peterborough Mayor Ruth Whittle said the funding would make a big impact on her town, with businesses struggling to wear the impact of farmers hit by very low rainfall.

“When the farm people stop spending, it affects the local community — people don’t go and buy new tyres or as many groceries, they don’t visit the local dress and shoe shops and they don’t come and buy a coffee and it has a real effect on our economy,” she said.