Farmers, business operators, social support service providers and other community members are being urged to go along and share their experiences about the social impacts of the prolonged drought.

As well, they’re being asked to offer an opinion on what is working well, how to do it better and what else needs to be made available when it comes to community support.

The Bourke forum is part of a two-month tour of regional Australia by an expert panel set up to examine the social impacts of drought and related support services for farm families and rural communities.

The forum is being held at the Bourke Bowling Club from 9am to midday on Friday July 25.

Chairman Peter Kenny said panel members wanted to hear a wide range of views before reporting back to the Australian Government at the end of September.

“We not only need to know the social impacts of drought, but identify any gaps and areas for improvement in government and non-government social support services designed to help people cope with drought,” Mr Kenny said.

“Our task is to

consider the impact of drought on community development and

sustainability, looking at how it affects the availability of employment, education and training opportunities, and of services contributing to health and wellbeing.”

Anyone who would like to provide input is also encouraged to provide a written submission before August 8, 2008.

People making submissions are encouraged to reflect on the how drought has impacted:

o An individual’s mental and physical health

o Family relationships

o The cohesion, provision of services and functioning of local communities

More information

on the panel’s review and its issues paper can

be obtained from the National Review of Drought Policy’s

website at www.daff.gov.au/droughtpolicyreview, by

calling freecall 1800 200 876 or emailing droughtpolicyreview@daff.gov.au

The review of social impacts forms one

part of the Government’s national review of drought

policy which also

separately involves

an economic assessment by the Productivity Commission and a

climatic assessment by the Bureau of Meteorology and the CSIRO.