April 21, 2022
The South Burnett, Cherbourg, Toowoomba and Gympie council areas are no longer officially considered to be in drought.
Agriculture Minister Mark Furner announced the change in status of 11 south-east Queensland local government areas on Thursday morning.
The drought status of the Somerset, Bundaberg, Fraser Coast, Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and Southern Downs council areas has also been revoked.
Queensland’s drought-declared area is dropping from 64.7 per cent to 61.1 per cent due to the significant rainfall received since October 2021.
Mr Furner said Local Drought Committees had assessed the response to the rain and flooding events over the past few months and noted a big improvement in conditions across the south-east.
“While we acknowledge that some producers have suffered significant damage from the severe rain and flood events, the positive is that natural water courses and stock and irrigation water storages have been replenished, along with excellent pasture growth that will see us through to the next wet season,” Mr Furner said.
The Minister said individual properties could still be considered for drought assistance.
“If a producer is experiencing difficult conditions in an area that is not drought-declared, then they could apply for an Individually Droughted Property declaration,” he said.
“This gives them the same access to our drought assistance as an area declaration.
“Primary producers in the drought-revoked areas can now access freight subsidies for restocking and returning from agistment under the old Drought Relief Assistance Scheme.
“Other Queensland’s LDCs will meet towards the end of this month to assess seasonal conditions in other drought declared parts of the State.”
