The Longreach and Barcaldine Regional Council areas have been declared drought stricken, effective from 1 January 2014.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh said it brings the number of local government areas drought declared to 26, including four partially declared areas.

“This drought is tough on producers across the state, but it’s important they know that they haven’t been forgotten,” Mr McVeigh said.

“Making this declaration opens up financial assistance, allowing us to continue growing agriculture as one of the four pillars of the economy, as we promised at the election.”

Mr McVeigh said there were also 23 Individual Droughted Properties (IDPs) in an additional seven shires.

“This brings the area now drought declared to almost 65 per cent of Queensland,” he said.

“There have only been very patchy rainfall events during the summer months over much of western Queensland.

“Pasture conditions have continued to deteriorate and almost all producers have needed to supplementary feed stock for some months now.”

Council areas drought declared:

• Balonne
• Barcaldine
• Barcoo
• Blackall-Tambo
• Boulia
• Burke
• Carpentaria
• Central Highlands (part declared)
• Charters Towers (part declared)
• Croydon
• Cloncurry
• Diamantina
• Doomadgee
• Etheridge
• Flinders
• Isaac (part declared)
• Longreach
• Maranoa
• McKinlay
• Mt Isa
• Murweh
• Paroo
• Quilpie
• Richmond
• Woorabinda (part declared)
• Winton

Producers wanting to apply for our Drought Relief Assistance Scheme (DRAS) including the Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate should contact the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on 13 25 23. DRAS claim forms and IDP applications can also be found online at www.daff.qld.gov.au

Source: QDAFF