Brisbane 2 October 2013. With more than 60 per cent of Queensland in drought and the dry weather continuing, Agriculture Minister John McVeigh has declared part of the Longreach Regional Council area drought stricken, effective from 1 September 2013.
“This takes the number of local government areas drought declared to 26, including eight partially declared areas,” Mr McVeigh said.
“There are also 39 Individually Droughted Properties (IDP) declarations in place in an additional seven local government areas.”
The area of Longreach Regional Council now declared is bounded to the east by the Thomson Developmental Road and the Landsborough Highway.
Mr McVeigh said there had been very little rainfall across that portion of the Longreach Regional Council area since March.
“Water runoff has been very limited and many dams are either dry or have limited supply,” he said.
“There has been insufficient rain to promote pasture growth during the winter months and pasture conditions are very poor.
“Livestock conditions are falling, especially as breeders are now calving and widespread drought feeding is happening throughout the area.
“Producers in drought declared areas can apply for the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme (DRAS) which the Premier and I announced in May of this year.
“DRAS provides up to 50 per cent freight subsidies on fodder and water while an area is drought declared, and freight subsidies for restocking and returning from agistment after the drought declaration is revoked.
“DRAS now also provides a rebate of 50 per cent for water infrastructure purchased to meet emergency animal welfare needs.
“The Newman Government will provide up to $20,000 (excluding GST) to drought declared producers under DRAS each financial year.”
Mr McVeigh said producers who weren’t in the declared areas but believed their properties were facing drought conditions should contact the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) on 13 25 23 to apply for an Individually Droughted Property (IDP) declaration.
“Some landholders in the newly drought declared areas will have already received their full land rent notices in the mail. These producers will also receive an adjustment notice from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines taking into account a rebate on any land rent increases from 2012/13 to 2013/14.”
Producers wanting to apply for DRAS should contact the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on 13 25 23 or access to DRAS claim forms and IDP applications can be found at www.daff.qld.gov.au
Council areas drought declared:
Balonne (part declared)
Barcaldine (part declared)
Barcoo
Blackall-Tambo
Boulia
Burke
Carpentaria
Central Highlands (part declared)
Charters Towers (part declared)
Croydon
Cloncurry
Diamantina
Doomadgee
Etheridge
Flinders
Isaac (part declared)
Longreach (part declared)
Maranoa (part declared)
McKinlay
Mt Isa
Murweh
Paroo
Quilpie
Richmond
Winton
Woorabinda (part declared).
