Published Friday, 08 June, 2007 at 12:22 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
STANTHORPE AND BEAUDESERT SHIRES DROUGHT DECLARED
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin has approved the declaration of Stanthorpe Shire and Beaudesert Shire under state drought processes following recommendations from the Local Drought Committee.
The declaration for Stanthorpe is effective from May 25, 2007 and for Beaudesert from June 5, 2007.
Mr Mulherin said the Stanthorpe area had recorded below average rainfall during the past 12 months resulting in very little pasture growth across the shire.
“Water supplies are very low and livestock across the district now being supplementary fed,” Mr Mulherin said.
“This has resulted in many producers having to reduce their stocking numbers.”
Mr Mulherin said the LDC at Beaudesert had been keeping a “‘watching brief’’ on the region, which had recorded below average rainfall and very patchy pasture growth.
The latest declarations bring the area of Queensland officially drought declared by the State Government to 85 shires and two part shires, which is equivalent to 62.5% of the land area of the State. There also are nine Individually Droughted Properties in a further five shires.
Under shire and IDP declarations, primary producers are eligible to apply for assistance through the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme DRAS.
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.
For further information about DRAS and other assistance measures, producers can contact the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
Media: 32396530
The declaration for Stanthorpe is effective from May 25, 2007 and for Beaudesert from June 5, 2007.
Mr Mulherin said the Stanthorpe area had recorded below average rainfall during the past 12 months resulting in very little pasture growth across the shire.
“Water supplies are very low and livestock across the district now being supplementary fed,” Mr Mulherin said.
“This has resulted in many producers having to reduce their stocking numbers.”
Mr Mulherin said the LDC at Beaudesert had been keeping a “‘watching brief’’ on the region, which had recorded below average rainfall and very patchy pasture growth.
The latest declarations bring the area of Queensland officially drought declared by the State Government to 85 shires and two part shires, which is equivalent to 62.5% of the land area of the State. There also are nine Individually Droughted Properties in a further five shires.
Under shire and IDP declarations, primary producers are eligible to apply for assistance through the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme DRAS.
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.
For further information about DRAS and other assistance measures, producers can contact the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
Media: 32396530