Di Bell

Beside a fine photograph of Rob Hylton of Clayton Bay Escapes, John Wiseman and Jamie Walker report how “Rain fails to save the Lower Murray” (Australian, October 20 http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,,24521359-11949,00.html). Rob’s story of the impact of lower levels on his recreational boat hire business and caravan park illustrates that the crisis in the Lower Lakes reaches into the lives of many who depend on the water.  He has seen a drop of 90% in the boat hire business and a 25% fall-off in turnover at his caravan park but Rob is not eligible for relief under the Exceptional Circumstances for small businesses because he is not deriving 70% or more of his normal total business turnover from the provision of goods or services for farming activities.