Drought relief for Queensland farmers

The Newman Government is moving quickly to support producers and communities in western and northern parts of the state struggling with drought conditions.

Speaking in Richmond, Premier Campbell Newman said the government was offering a support package worth up to $11.2 million which included a range of new and existing measures, comprising $7.8 million in outlays and up to $3.4 million in in-kind assistance or foregone revenue.

“There are presently 13 Local Government Areas declared drought stricken, which covers about a third of Queensland,” Mr Newman said.

Mr Newman said a key new measure of the support package was a land rent relief program. 

“Drought declared producers with scheduled increases of up to 20 per cent in land rent for 2013-2014 will obtain a full rebate of the increase,” he said.

“It is expected this decision will result in at least a $1.2 million reduction in land rents for 2013-2014.

“This measure is about ensuring that wherever possible or practicable, the government avoids placing new, extra costs on drought impacted producers.

“The State Government has already legislated to allow agistment on a select number of national parks and reserves.  This would be the equivalent of $2.2 million in agistment.  Upgrading fencing to protect sensitive areas in these parks is also expected to cost around $500,000. 

“There will also be transport concessions totalling $100,000 to facilitate road train use for shifting droughted livestock between Mitchell and Roma, and Clermont and Emerald, with additional routes under investigation.”

Mr Newman said other measures included:

• freight subsidies for fodder and emergency water of up to $7 million
• 40 mental health support workshops across the drought impacted area ($165,000) under a new program funded by Queensland Health
• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry mobile offices will visit drought affected areas providing advisory services, including how to access assistance

“Producers in drought declared areas can already apply for the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme (DRAS),” he said.

“DRAS provides up to 50 per cent freight subsidies on fodder and water cartage while an area is drought declared, and freight subsidies for restocking and returning from agistment after the drought declaration is revoked.

“The Queensland Government will provide up to $20,000 (excluding GST) in assistance to drought declared producers each financial year.

“The key change to DRAS announced today is the addition of the water infrastructure rebate for those who do not have water for stock. This rebate seeks to improve long term drought resilience by helping with the cost of longer term solutions to water supply. 

“This will provide a 50 per cent rebate worth up to $20,000 for costs associated with emergency water infrastructure.” 

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh said if the drought became significantly worse, for example a second poor wet season, then the government would look at what further assistance measures may be required.

“A number of Local Drought Committees will be meeting in the coming weeks to give me further advice on drought declarations,” Mr McVeigh said.

“I am also working closely with AgForce and QFF and earlier this month I came to Richmond for a northern beef crisis summit meeting.”

“A number of resolutions were passed seeking concessions on government fees and charges, modifications to taxes and duties, and freight subsidy assistance. This package responds to many of those resolutions.”

Mr McVeigh said producers who weren’t in a declared area but believed their property was in drought should contact the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to apply for an Individually Droughted Property (IDP) declaration. 

“There are currently 53 IDP declarations in place in an additional six local government areas,” he said. 

Producers wanting to apply for DRAS should contact the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on 13 25 23 or access DRAS claim forms and IDP applications on www.daff.qld.gov.au

[ENDS] 30 May 2013

Media Contact: Andrew Blow 0408 912 821 (Premier)
                            Lachlan Millar 0407 394 580 (Minister McVeigh)