- Less than 10 per cent of the state is drought-declared for first time since 2013.
- Drought-declared area reduced from 27.8 per cent to 9.7 per cent.
- Primary producers no longer need to be drought-declared to access drought assistance.
- Palaszczuk Government is helping primary producers prepare for future droughts.
For the first time since 2013, less than 10 per cent of Queensland is drought-declared.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries and Minister for Rural Communities Mark Furner has accepted the recommendations of Local Drought Committees to revoke the full or partial drought declarations from today for:
- Barcaldine Regional Council
- Boulia Shire Council
- Longreach Regional Council
- McKinlay Shire Council
- Richmond Shire Council
- Isaac Regional Council
- Livingstone Shire Council
- Whitsunday Regional Council
- Winton Shire Council
It's the first time since 2013 the LGAs of Barcaldine, Boulia, Longreach, McKinlay, Richmond, Winton and Isaac Shires have been drought-free.
The Whitsunday Shire had been part-drought declared since 2015, while Livingstone Shire Council was drought-declared from 2019.
Only the Diamantina and Bulloo Shire Councils remain drought-declared.
Local Drought Committees made recommendations to the Minister after considering local conditions as well as scientific information, with the assistance of the new combined drought indicator.
Following the Palaszczuk Government's drought reforms in 2021, primary producers no longer need to be in a drought declared area to access assistance.
While much of the state is enjoying green conditions, primary producers are being advised to bolster drought resilience now.
Drought preparedness grants of up to $50,000 are available as a co-contribution to help producers undertake on-farm capital improvements that improve the drought preparedness of their property.
The drought declaration map can be viewed at www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au
