Temporary grazing help for Hughenden landholder

National Parks Minister Steve Dickson has announced the Newman Government will lend practical assistance to another grazier north of Hughenden whose property was affected by recent wildfire.

Mr Dickson said the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) would allow the farmer to graze their cattle on the State-owned Blackbraes Resources Reserve.

“Wildfires late last year, exacerbated by prolonged drought conditions, have destroyed grazing fodder on pastoral holdings near Blackbraes Resources Reserve, north of Hughenden,” Mr Dickson said.

“To help this property owner get back on their feet, I am very pleased QPWS is able to help by granting access to Blackbraes to assist with their recovery.

“This is a clear example of responsible land management, where access and conservation is delivered as a partnership.

“The Newman Government is committed to helping struggling graziers as much as possible where it is in our ability to do so.

“While grazing on national parks tenures is prohibited under the Nature Conservation Act, other tenures may be made available for such use on some occasions.”

Mr Dickson said the severe conditions being experienced by farmers across the state had seen a number of these requests in recent months.

“My department has made contact with all these graziers and is working with them to help identify land which may be suitable,” he said.

“The reason these farmers require hardship grazing is because their situations are dire and urgent and accordingly the department agreed to make the property available for a short time.

“We’re responding as quickly as possible, providing reassurance that we are doing whatever we can to assist.

“This is not a solution which will always be available and will always be decided on a case-by-case basis, however I am glad to be able to offer help in this instance, when it’s needed most by Queensland farmers.”

Blackbraes Resources Reserve was a former pastoral holding until it was gazetted in 1998. There are currently two wildfire-affected graziers temporarily using the land.

The Government also recently agreed to a request by AgForce to allow a Lamonds Lagoon landholder to graze cattle for six months on the State-owned Wairuna Station near Cardwell, after a wildfire destroyed 80 to 90 per cent of the grazing fodder on his property.

Additionally, NPRSR is also providing assistance and support to a property owner by providing access to Mt Rosey Resources Reserve, to the east of Einasleigh.

[ENDS] 9 May 2013
Media contact: Anna Hilton 0408 191 192