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Charity warns of rush from the bush
23 Oct 2003
Toowoomba's Bush Connection service has warned of an exodus of farming families from rural industries when the drought ends and emergency relief dries up. Ozcare's Bush Connection co-ordinator Mary-Louise North said the drought's length and severity mean even the best managers are losing equity.
She said the service will be needed even more than ever in future because of the drought's "sinister effect". People have enough difficulty keeping their animals alive without having to face decisions about their future and being forced to sell when their property is not saleable, she stated
The Bush Connection has helped 2,500 families in the past seven years, including 1,200 who were forced out. It's getting about two new families a week asking for help, mostly because of the drought, which creates stress, anguish and a feeling of hopelessness, Mrs North said.
The Bush Connection has been battling for funding for years but recently welcomed an offer by Queensland Primary Industries Minister, Henry Palaszczuk, to help secure recurrent funding.
The Courier-Mail, 23/10/03, page 13.
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