A grim picture of stress, isolation, declining health and job losses in farm families, small businesses and rural communities has emerged in new research into one of Australia’s worst droughts. 

Researchers from the Centre for Rural Social Research at Charles Sturt University (CSU) in NSW, Professor Margaret Alston and Jenny Kent, studied the social impacts of the 2002-2003 drought on the front-line communities in three rural areas of the state. 

“Much is known about the economic and environmental impacts of drought, but little of the social impacts on the people and communities at the front line,” said the CSU researchers. 

“Children emerged as significantly affected by the drought; in many cases shouldering the burden of additional work as employees are laid off or parents seek off-farm work.  In other cases, families are involuntarily separated as women leave to find work and education for their children,” said Professor Alston.

“The reliance on the farm sector by rural businesses and communities meant drought caused a downturn in business, and workers and contractors face the stress of losing employment. The research revealed tensions within the community when small businesses are not able to access government benefits as the farms sometimes can,” said Jenny Kent.

“Important community institutions such as sporting clubs and voluntary associations are in decline as the drought forces people to reduce their commitments and ‘trips to town’,” added Ms Kent.

Significant health problems are emerging, with increased workload and stress. Simple things like getting a new set of glasses or annual check-ups go by the wayside due to lack of time and money, compounded by difficulty in accessing appropriate health services.

“Doctors report spending additional time counselling patients because of a lack of allied health professionals such as social workers and mental health workers,” said Professor Alston.

“A real positive emerged in all communities in the resilience of rural people but even this is being tested in areas where drought is entering its fourth year,” she said.

Farm families, small business owners, service providers and community members from Deniliquin, Condobolin and Bourke in NSW were interviewed during field trips. The research is funded by NSW Agriculture and NSW Premier’s Department and is available in January.