- From 1 March, 27.8% of state's land area to be drought-declared, down from 38.1%.
- Drought status to be revoked for LGAs of Rockhampton, Central Highlands, Woorabinda, Barcoo and more than half of Barcaldine.
- Barcoo and eastern part of Barcaldine LGAs drought-free for the first time in nearly a decade.
- Primary producers do not need to be in a drought-declared area to access assistance.
For the first time since 2013, less than 30 per cent of Queensland will be drought-declared.
Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries Minister and Rural Communities Minister Mark Furner announced he had accepted the recommendation of the Local Drought Committees (LDCs) to revoke several regions' drought status from 1 March, due to the ongoing improvement in seasonal conditions since the start of the year.
The areas to have their drought status revoked are the Barcoo Shire Council, Central Highlands Regional Council, Rockhampton Regional Council, Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council and the eastern part of the Barcaldine Regional Council.
It's the first time since 2013 that Barcoo and the eastern part of Barcaldine have been drought-free, while Rockhampton, the Central Highlands and Woorabinda have been drought-declared since 2019.
The drought declaration map can be viewed at www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au
