| ONLY 1.4% OF QUEENSLAND NOW IN DROUGHT |
| 24-05-2010 |
Minister for Primary Industries, Fisheries and Rural and Regional Queensland Tim Mulherin today revoked the drought status of 15 shires following an eventful wet season. "The record wet season has resulted in the area of Queensland covered by drought declaration dropping from 35 per cent in 2009 to 1.4 per cent in May 2010," Mr Mulherin said. "Many producers in the areas that were previously in drought have experienced record floods in the last couple of months. "They are now in the unusual position of managing both drought and flood recovery, but are looking forward to the long term benefit of the rainfall and the billions of dollars it will inject into the Queensland economy. "Drought declared areas now only include parts of two local government areas - Banana Regional Council and Goodiwindi Regional Council - and all of the Toowoomba Regional Co uncil. "While these areas have experienced pasture growth from rainfall, there has not been enough rain to replenish water supplies to be confident of seeing livestock through to the next summer storm season. "However, if the current forecasts for above average rainfall in these areas are realised in the next few months, we may yet see Queensland completely drought free." Mr Mulherin said the decision to revoke drought declarations is based on the recommendations of Local Drought Committees (LDCs), which are made up of local primary producers, government staff and industry representatives. "Before an area's drought status was removed, LDCs carefully considered whether an area had received enough rain for sufficient pasture growth and water for maintaining stocking," Mr Mulherin said. "Revocation of drought status provides producers with access to restocking and returning stock from agistment freight subsidies. "Producers who pl an to restock following the lifting of the drought declarations have up to 24 months from the revocation date to claim these subsidies. "Subsidies are available for the return movement of all stock on agistment in the 12 months after revocation. "In special circumstances, this can be extended to 24 months following approval by the Local Drought Committee (LDC). "Producers can be eligible for assistance of $20,000 per financial year, however this can be raised with approval from the LDC to $30,000 or to $40,000 if the property has been in drought for more than two consecutive years. "I urge producers to check the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme (DRAS) guidelines and the drought status of their property before returning stock to ensure they can access freight subsidy support. "If an individual property missed out on sufficient rain and is no longer in a drought declared area, producers can contact the Queensland Government on 13 25 23 f or an Individually Droughted Property declaration to access drought assistance. "Similarly, if you are located in one of the remaining drought declared areas but feel you are in a position to restock, you can apply for an Individual Property Revocation to access freight subsidies for returning stock." Mr Mulherin said the LDC did not recommend making a drought declaration for the Warwick area. "I am advised that while the rainfall events in the first few months of the year had been enough to promote good grass growth, water supplies, particularly in the western parts of the Southern Downs Regional Council, had not fully replenished," Mr Mulherin said. "Consequently, the LDC has chosen to wait and see if there is significant rainfall in the next month or so before making a final decision. "In the meantime producers who believe they meet the criteria, may apply to have their property individually drought declared, which gives them the sa me access to Queensland Government freight subsidy assistance as declared area." The local government areas that have had their drought status revoked are: • Bulloo (effective 7 April 2010) • Paroo (effective 9 April 2010) • Murweh (effective 13 April 10) • Rockhampton (effective 15 April 2010) • Gladstone (effective 15 April 2010) • Central Highlands (effective 20 April 2010) • Barcoo (effective 20 April 2010) • Boulia (effective 17 April 2010) • Diamantina (effective 21 April 2010) • Quilpie (effective 21 April 2010) • Longreach (effective 20 April 2010) • Western Downs (effective 8 April 2010) • Maranoa (effective 7 April 2010) • Banana (part) (effective 19 April 2010) • Goondiwindi (part) (effective 6 April 2010). For further information on drought management and recovery assistance, call the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation on 13 25 23.
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