Temperatures to drop, Ray Donald discusses impact on shire

Today is expected to reach a top of 38 degrees with a possible storm in the afternoon and early evening. 

According to the Bureau of Meteorology slight relief is in sight with the mercury to drop to the low 30s for the rest of the week, including possible showers on Tuesday.

Bogan Shire Mayor Ray Donald spoke to the Nyngan Observer about the hot conditions and the impact it has had on farmers in the area. 

“There’s no doubt that there have been more hot days than cool ones. It certainly has been a dry summer for agriculture, coming after a pretty dry winter and spring,” Councillor Donald said.

He mentioned as a result farmers potentially have needed to hand feed stock, sell stock or send stock to agistment.

“With the value of stock it would be worth it to retain stock,” Cr Donald said. 

“I think a lot of people also experienced water shortages, while there have been storms, we haven’t had heavy fall of rain for many months.

“I think the impact of a small harvest last year was felt not only by farmers, but by business in town that benefit from income,” Cr Donald said.

He also described the domino effect of the hot weather having the potential to impact employment within the town.

“We are fortunate to have Tritton mines employing a large number local people [which sees a] large cash flow through local businesses,” he said.

Looking ahead Councillor Donald said he imagines most people are waiting for the rain “to prepare their country for planting this year’s crops and seeing some pastoral growth so they can stop having to hand feed their stock”.

Temperatures are not expected to reach above 34 in the next six days, with cloud cover most days.

According to the BoM the UV index is still high so it is important to remain sun safe even with predicted cloud cover this coming week.