9 January 2009

2 minute read

Oceania

AgForce Cattle spokesman and Cloncurry grazier Peter Hall said the widespread steady rain would provide a brilliant start to the season and any loss and inconvenience would be more than compensated by the pasture growth it would generate.

“This is a proper wet season like we used to get, rather than the storm weather we’ve been getting by on in recent years,” Mr Hall said.

“It’s such a long time since we had weather like this that I’ve forgotten what it is like. It’s the best thing since sliced bread and we couldn’t have ordered better rain if we had wanted to.

“Around Cloncurry we haven’t had huge downpours or cold weather but rather steady falls and warm conditions, and we all hope we are getting back to the old days when seasonal monsoons were the norm.”

Mr Hall said there have been heavier falls south of the line from Richmond and Julia Creek, and to the north and west of Cloncurry.

“There is a lot of water going down the Leichardt, Cloncurry and Flinders river system flowing north into the Gulf.

“There are also big river flows in the Georgina, Burke and Hamilton and where they come together south Boulia in the Channel Country there will be flooding but locals are prepared for that eventuality.

“The north-west has gone from one of its biggest droughts into flooding and wet conditions and inevitably there will be road closures, damage and some stock losses, but that is just a fact of life up here.”

“It is important, however, that local government authorities have the wherewithal to repair road and infrastructure damage when the weather breaks and so that we can get back to business as quickly as possible.”

TheCattleSite News Desk