Published Thursday, 17 May, 2007 at 01:59 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
BRISBANE-SUNSHINE COAST DROUGHT DECLARED
Premier Peter Beattie announced this morning that the State Government had approved drought declaration of the Maroochy, Caloundra City, Caboolture, Pine Rivers, Redcliffe City and Brisbane City shires.
The declaration follows recommendations from the North Brisbane-Sunshine Coast Local Drought Committee. Local Drought Committees are made up of producers and Department of Primary and Industry representatives.
The declaration is effective from April 24, 2007.
The latest declaration brings the area of Queensland officially drought declared by the State Government to 83 shires and 1 part shire which is equivalent to 62.2% of the land area of the State. There are also 39 Individually Droughted Properties in a further 10 shires.
“In regard to the recommendation by the North Brisbane-Sunshine Coast Local Drought Committee, below average rainfall has been recorded across the shires over the last 12 months,’’ Mr Beattie said.
“For example in the 12 months up to March this year, suburbs such as Bald Hills (531mls), Enoggera (538), Petrie (572), Samford (465), Sandgate (555), Toombul (517)and Zillmere (522) have received less than half of their median rainfalls.
“Goodna (444mls), Indooroopilly (539), Mount Crosby (472), Oxley (506) and Toowong (526) have had only 50 per cent or slightly more than their median falls.’’
“There are obviously far fewer primary producers affected by this declaration than in other areas of the state.
“While there are no commercial producers in Brisbane City, it meets the “one if 10-15 year rainfall event’’ criteria and producers within the region, of which Brisbane is part, are entitled to assistance through the Drought Relief assistance Scheme.”
(Drought is recognised as severe event that occurs on a “one in 10-15 year’ frequency).
“Brisbane and Redcliffe previously were both drought declared in December 2002. Drought declared status was lifted for Brisbane at the end of March 2004 and for Redcliffe three days later.’’
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin also approved drought declaration for the Goondiwindi town shire - effective May 1.
Mr Mulherin said the Goondiwindi declaration followed a recommendation from the Waggamba Local Drought Committee.
“Goondiwindi town shire is a small separate shire that is located along the border of the eastern and western parts of Waggamba shire that were drought declared on August 1, 2002, and February 1, 2007, respectively,” he said.
“Late last month the LCD agreed that the situation was at a critical stage as general rainfall had been almost non-existent with only patchy storm rain providing short term relief.’’
Under shire and IDP declarations, primary producers are eligible to apply for assistance through the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme.
DRAS provides freight subsidies on the transport of fodder and water during times of drought, and restocking and returning from agistment in the recovery period.
Through QRAA producers in drought declared areas also may qualify for Drought Recovery Loans, Drought Carry-On loans and interest only payments on existing loans.
For further information about DRAS and other assistance measures, producers can contact the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
17 May 2007
Further inquiries: Premier’s Office: 3224 4500
The declaration follows recommendations from the North Brisbane-Sunshine Coast Local Drought Committee. Local Drought Committees are made up of producers and Department of Primary and Industry representatives.
The declaration is effective from April 24, 2007.
The latest declaration brings the area of Queensland officially drought declared by the State Government to 83 shires and 1 part shire which is equivalent to 62.2% of the land area of the State. There are also 39 Individually Droughted Properties in a further 10 shires.
“In regard to the recommendation by the North Brisbane-Sunshine Coast Local Drought Committee, below average rainfall has been recorded across the shires over the last 12 months,’’ Mr Beattie said.
“For example in the 12 months up to March this year, suburbs such as Bald Hills (531mls), Enoggera (538), Petrie (572), Samford (465), Sandgate (555), Toombul (517)and Zillmere (522) have received less than half of their median rainfalls.
“Goodna (444mls), Indooroopilly (539), Mount Crosby (472), Oxley (506) and Toowong (526) have had only 50 per cent or slightly more than their median falls.’’
“There are obviously far fewer primary producers affected by this declaration than in other areas of the state.
“While there are no commercial producers in Brisbane City, it meets the “one if 10-15 year rainfall event’’ criteria and producers within the region, of which Brisbane is part, are entitled to assistance through the Drought Relief assistance Scheme.”
(Drought is recognised as severe event that occurs on a “one in 10-15 year’ frequency).
“Brisbane and Redcliffe previously were both drought declared in December 2002. Drought declared status was lifted for Brisbane at the end of March 2004 and for Redcliffe three days later.’’
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin also approved drought declaration for the Goondiwindi town shire - effective May 1.
Mr Mulherin said the Goondiwindi declaration followed a recommendation from the Waggamba Local Drought Committee.
“Goondiwindi town shire is a small separate shire that is located along the border of the eastern and western parts of Waggamba shire that were drought declared on August 1, 2002, and February 1, 2007, respectively,” he said.
“Late last month the LCD agreed that the situation was at a critical stage as general rainfall had been almost non-existent with only patchy storm rain providing short term relief.’’
Under shire and IDP declarations, primary producers are eligible to apply for assistance through the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme.
DRAS provides freight subsidies on the transport of fodder and water during times of drought, and restocking and returning from agistment in the recovery period.
Through QRAA producers in drought declared areas also may qualify for Drought Recovery Loans, Drought Carry-On loans and interest only payments on existing loans.
For further information about DRAS and other assistance measures, producers can contact the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
17 May 2007
Further inquiries: Premier’s Office: 3224 4500