Published Wednesday, 11 June, 2008 at 03:45 PM
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries
The Honourable Tim Mulherin
Changes to drought status in west
Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries Tim Mulherin has approved the drought declaration of the Mt Isa Regional Council and drought declaration of parts of the Cloncurry and McKinlay Regional Shires following recommendations from Local Drought Committees.
The declarations are effective from May 1, 2008.
Mr Mulherin said below average rainfall had been recorded in the Mt Isa regional shire and there was very little pasture growth.
“The bulk of grasses are failing to germinate due to the conditions,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“Underground water is still available and accessed by bores but surface water is receding and rivers have had no significant runs in them due to insufficient rain.’’
The part declaration in the Cloncurry Regional Shire was for the area south of the Flinders/Barkly Highway and west of the Burke Development Road.
“The declaration in the McKinlay Regional Shire is for the area south of the Flinders Highway,” he said.
“There has been below average rain across both shires over the past year resulting in poor pasture growth.
“There are virtually no supplies of surface water and underground sources are starting to disappear as well.
“The only area where there is normal pasture growth is north of the Flinders Highway.”
However, the after-effects of summer rain continue to be felt in parts of central Queensland with the revocation of the drought status of the former Shire of Blackall and the part of the former Shire of Tambo north of Mt Playfair and Tambo Ward River Roads.
Mr Mulherin said these areas were first drought declared in February 2003 but good summer rain has seen significant pasture response.
“The drought declarations in these areas have now been lifted on the recommendation of the local drought committee, effective April28, 2008,” he said.
“However, the former Shire of Isisford, which is now part of the Longreach Regional Council, will remain drought declared after receiving very little rain during summer.”
These latest declarations bring the area of Queensland officially drought declared by the State Government to less than 50%.
Under shire and IDP declarations, primary producers are eligible to apply for Queensland Government drought assistance including 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.
Producers in any of these areas who believe they have not received adequate rainfall to alleviate drought conditions can contact the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries to discuss eligibility for an Individually Droughted Property declaration to continue accessing assistance.
Individual drought declared properties have the same access to assistance as those in a declared region.
In regard to Exceptional Circumstances assistance, the Minister said he had written to the Federal Government requesting that the boundary of the North west Ashy Downs EC area be changed and that a section of Richmond Shire remain EC declared.
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 declarations are effective from May 1, 2008.
Mr Mulherin said below average rainfall had been recorded in the Mt Isa regional shire and there was very little pasture growth.
“The bulk of grasses are failing to germinate due to the conditions,’’ Mr Mulherin said.
“Underground water is still available and accessed by bores but surface water is receding and rivers have had no significant runs in them due to insufficient rain.’’
The part declaration in the Cloncurry Regional Shire was for the area south of the Flinders/Barkly Highway and west of the Burke Development Road.
“The declaration in the McKinlay Regional Shire is for the area south of the Flinders Highway,” he said.
“There has been below average rain across both shires over the past year resulting in poor pasture growth.
“There are virtually no supplies of surface water and underground sources are starting to disappear as well.
“The only area where there is normal pasture growth is north of the Flinders Highway.”
However, the after-effects of summer rain continue to be felt in parts of central Queensland with the revocation of the drought status of the former Shire of Blackall and the part of the former Shire of Tambo north of Mt Playfair and Tambo Ward River Roads.
Mr Mulherin said these areas were first drought declared in February 2003 but good summer rain has seen significant pasture response.
“The drought declarations in these areas have now been lifted on the recommendation of the local drought committee, effective April28, 2008,” he said.
“However, the former Shire of Isisford, which is now part of the Longreach Regional Council, will remain drought declared after receiving very little rain during summer.”
These latest declarations bring the area of Queensland officially drought declared by the State Government to less than 50%.
Under shire and IDP declarations, primary producers are eligible to apply for Queensland Government drought assistance including 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.
Producers in any of these areas who believe they have not received adequate rainfall to alleviate drought conditions can contact the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries to discuss eligibility for an Individually Droughted Property declaration to continue accessing assistance.
Individual drought declared properties have the same access to assistance as those in a declared region.
In regard to Exceptional Circumstances assistance, the Minister said he had written to the Federal Government requesting that the boundary of the North west Ashy Downs EC area be changed and that a section of Richmond Shire remain EC declared.
For further information about DRAS and other assistance measures, producers can contact the DPI&F Business Information Centre on 13 25 23.
Media: 32396530