Click on map to enlarge

The total area of Queensland that is officially drought-declared has risen to 87.47 percent, following more drought declarations last week.

On the weekend the Queensland Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne accepted recommendations to add seven more Shires to the State’s drought-declared list:

• Fraser Coast,
• North Burnett,
• South Burnett,
• Cherbourg,
• Gympie,
• Somerset, and
•  the remainder of Banana Shire.

The committees that make drought-declarations usually meet in April.

However, Mr Byrne said he had asked for that meeting to be fast-tracked because of the lack of rain during the wet season.

Mr Byrne said the area of Queensland now under drought declarations is the highest-ever, and he is still waiting for some committees to send their recommendations.

Queensland rainfall deciles over summer. Click on map to enlarge.

“I have been advised that while some parts of the South East Queensland have received some patchy storm rainfall over the summer season, good general rainfall across the whole region has not been received.

“In fact, the Fraser Coast region had the lowest rainfall in its recorded history over the past 12 months and the overall outlook for the cane industry and other cropping in the Fraser Coast is poor.

“In Gympie, producers are already feeding hay for roughage as well as protein and energy feeds due to the loss of paddock roughage in some areas.

“Around Biloela there are very large rainfall deficits and there were no summer dryland crops this year.”

Available assistance

Drought declared producers are able to access DRAS fodder and water freight subsidies and emergency water infrastructure rebates as well as access to other programs in the Queensland Drought Assistance Package if they are eligible.

This includes relief from electricity charges, land rent rebates and water licence waivers as well as access to a number of community and mental health programs.

The threshold for a drought declaration is generally a once in 10 to 15 year rainfall deficiency.

The drought-declared map on www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au will be updated next week. For further information call 13 25 23 or visit www.daf.qld.gov.au for DRAS information.

‘Bush still doing it tough’: AgForce

New drought declarations announced over the weekend are a recognition of the continued impact deteriorating weather conditions are having on farming families across Queensland, AgForce said today.

AgForce General President Grant Maudsley thanked Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne for bringing forward meetings of Local Drought Committees and for accepting their recommendations on drought declarations.

“The prolonged and severe drought has taken an enormous financial, environmental and emotional toll on farming families right throughout Queensland,” he said.

“Fourteen regions in the west and north of the state were first officially drought declared in early to mid-2013, so producers in those areas have effectively had five years with rainfall deficits.

“With a below average rainfall outlook for March to May combined with above average temperatures, drought conditions are set to continue so these new declarations are timely, with further Local Drought Committee recommendations expected in the coming weeks.”

Drought declared primary producers can access fodder and water freight subsidies and emergency water infrastructure rebates, as well as relief from electricity charges, land rent rebates and water licence waivers if they are eligible.

As part of a review into drought assistance, the Agriculture and Environment Committee recommended that the Queensland Government consult with AgForce and other rural stakeholders to develop an updated model for drought support.

“AgForce stands ready to work with the Government to ensure drought policy works to improve resilience and preparedness while also delivering effective assistance during extended, severe events like the one currently being experienced across Queensland,” Mr Maudsley said.

Sources: Qld Department of Agriculture, AgForce Queensland. Primary producers seeking more information about drought declarations and assistance measures available can visit www.daf.qld.gov.au or call 13 25 23.