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SUPPLIED | Queensland Government
LESS than 30 per cent of Queensland will be officially drought-declared as of March 1, for the first time since 2013.
Agriculture Minister Mark Furner has accepted the recommendation of the Local Drought Committees (LDCs) to revoke several regions’ drought status from next month, due to the ongoing improvement in seasonal conditions since the start of the year.
The areas to have their drought status revoked are the Barcoo Shire Council, Central Highlands Regional Council, Rockhampton Regional Council, Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council and the eastern part of the Barcaldine Regional Council.
“This is great news for primary producers in now drought-free regions of Queensland,” Mark Furner said.
“Some of our farmers have done it tough during a long drought, so increased rainfall over the past six months has been welcome relief.
“LDCs in the remaining drought-declared areas are still monitoring pasture recovery as the end of the wet season approaches.”
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It’s the first time since 2013 that Barcoo and the eastern part of Barcaldine have been drought-free, while Rockhampton, the Central Highlands and Woorabinda have been drought-declared since 2019.
Primary producers in drought-revoked areas can still access freight subsidies for restocking and returning from agistment under the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme (DRAS).
“If a producer believes they are still experiencing difficult conditions in a council area that is no longer drought declared, they can apply for an Individually Droughted Property (IDP) declaration. This will continue to give them the same access to drought assistance as a current area declaration,” Mark Furner said.
The drought declaration map can be viewed at www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au