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STAR OF THE NORTH
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
do we need harvest ban?
SCENE from the fire of Sunday, November 11
Eyre Peninsula stops the lot
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your say: Give us your opinion on total harvest bans. Go to www. plainsproducer. com. au or find us on facebook
You’re better off having a break for four hours than – Eastern Eyre Peninsula chasing a fire for the next two days group officer, Brian Trigg
WITH dangerous weather conditions sweeping across South Australia on Tuesday, debate has ignited about the need for total harvest bans when weather is judged to be hazardous. Farmers of the Adelaide Plains and nearby areas observe a voluntary CFS “Code of Practice” which generally appears to work well. But after a fire at Avon on Sunday, No-
vember 11, the issue of harvest bans was again raised. Total harvest bans are imposed on SA’s Eyre Peninsula Eastern Eyre Peninsula CFS group officer, Brian Trigg, said most Eyre Peninsula districts had harvest bans when whether conditions were considered dangerous enough – but they were not imposed or enforced by the CFS.
While not necessarily endorsed by the CFS, Mr Trigg believed harvest bans were a “godsend” for his district. “It was hard at first but we’ve managed to convince most farmers they can find something else to do or they need a rest,” he said. “You’re better off having a break for four hours than chasing a fire for the next two days.” n READ MORE ON Page 3
n You can email editor@ plainsproducer.com.au or write to PO Box 63 Balaklava 5461
Huge support for Snowtown health service Les Pearson reports:
WHAT was expected to be a small gathering in the supper room of the Snowtown hall on Monday night to discuss the future of the town’s hospital, swelled to a large crowd of 300 worried residents. They were there following Clare Medical Centre’s (CMC) announcement it would cease its operations in Snowtown from March next year, after Country Health SA altered a funding system for CMC’s after hours emergency ser-
vice it provided to the town. CMC argued the previous funding arrangement underpinned the viability of its continued service, including GP clinics two and a half days a week, at Snowtown and the alternative CHSA funding option would not be sufficient.
CHSA claimed the revised funding option was consistent with a recent agreement between country GPs and CHSA. The public meeting was organised following the CMC’s announcement, which was feared to have potential flow-on effects
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on the future of the Snowtown Hospital. The local throng was so large, the meeting was shifted to the main auditorium in the hall, with all seats filled, which left some having to stand. Metaphorically, it was the whole community making a stand that night, demanding the retention of the services provided by the CMC. Snowtown Community Management Committee chairman, Mike Stone, said he was thrilled with the huge turnout.
n Continued Page 2
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