Another Queensland Shire drought declared

Published Thursday, 06 June, 2013 at 08:18 AM

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
The Honourable John McVeigh

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh is declaring Mount Isa City Council shire drought stricken, taking the number of drought declared Shires to 14.

Mr McVeigh said producers in drought declared areas can apply for assistance.

“Producers can apply for the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme (DRAS) and measures included in the drought assistance package recently announced with the Premier, Campbell Newman,” Mr McVeigh said.

“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.

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

Including the freight subsidies under DRAS, the support package is worth up to $11.2 million and comprises:

  • land rent relief ($1.2m)
  • animal welfare help through access to grazing in national parks and reserves (equivalent to $2.2m)
  • fencing of sensitive areas within parks ($0.5m)
  • DRAS emergency water infrastructure rebate 
  • measures to reduce stock transport costs by providing free pilots to escort road trains along selected routes at an estimated to cost $100,000
  • a series of mental health first aid workshops across the drought declared areas.

Mr McVeigh said almost 36 per cent of Queensland is drought declared.

“In addition, there are currently 72 Individually Droughted Property (IDP) declarations in place in an additional eight local government areas,” he said.

“A number of other Local Drought Committees are currently finalising their assessments and there may be more declarations made in the near future.”

Council areas now drought declared are:

  • Boulia
  • Burke
  • Carpentaria
  • Croydon
  • Cloncurry
  • Diamantina
  • Doomadgee
  • Etheridge
  • Flinders
  • McKinlay
  • Mt Isa
  • Murweh
  • Paroo
  • Richmond

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

Primary producers who aren’t in the declared areas but believe their properties are facing drought conditions should contact the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to apply for an IDP declaration. 

[ENDS] 6 June 2013

Media Contact: Lachlan Millar – 0407 394 580