Water fee waivers support drought and disaster recovery

More than 18,000 Queensland businesses affected by natural disasters have had their annual water licence fees waived to help them get back on their feet.

Minister for Water Glenn Butcher said approximately $1.5 million in water licence fees have been waived for the 2020-21 financial year in drought and disaster declared areas.

“In the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Niran, and as 67 per cent of Queensland continues to be in drought, our farmers are doing it tough,” Mr Butcher said.

“As the Palaszczuk Government delivers Queensland’s plan for economic recovery from the global COVID-19 pandemic, we are going to need our traditional strengths like agriculture.

“That’s why we’re assisting 1000 agricultural businesses rebuild after ex-Tropical Cyclone Niran, by waiving around $90,000 in water licence fees across the affected region for the 2021-22 water year.

“From 1 March 2021, more than 17,000 businesses in drought-declared parts of the State will also have their annual water licence fees waived in the 2021-22 financial year.

“With another 70 stock or domestic licence applications included in the fee waivers, we’re covering approximately $1.4 million to assist in Queensland’s drought recovery.

“The drought continues to have a serious impact on our state’s agricultural producers and Queensland’s regional development and the Palaszczuk Government will continue to support the industry to survive and thrive.”

Mr Butcher said this support was in addition to the already announced discounts for irrigators across Queensland.

“These waivers build on our election commitment to deliver a 15 per cent decrease in irrigation water charges for farmers and a 50% decrease in irrigation water charges for fruit and vegetable growers – where the Queensland government sets prices.

“The discounts will commence in the 2021-22 financial year and be applied for three years – through until the end of the 2023-24 financial year.

“We’re doing this because the Palaszczuk Government knows a strong agriculture industry means a strong Queensland economy.”

Affected water licence holders will be notified of fee waivers with a letter at the time they would ordinarily receive their water licence fee invoice.

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Media contact: Daniel Lato 0438 891 158