*** BIG NEWS - A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION *** QUEENSLAND PREMIER RESPONDS TO STRUGGLING FARMERS CALLS FOR HELP - By JAYDAN DUCK LESS then twenty-hours after Higgins Storm Chasing launched a week long campaign to assist our struggling farmers, premier Campbell Newman has responded to calls for help. Our struggling producers will now have access to an extra $20 million to deal with persistent drought conditions, taking the Newman Government’s total commitment to more than $31 million this financial year. It comes after The Longreach and Barcaldine Regional Council areas were today included in the growing list of drought declared government areas, taking the total number to 26, including four partially declared areas. Almost 65 per cent of Queensland is now drought declared. Speaking to media in Longreach on Tuesday, Premier Campbell Newman said two thirds of Queensland had been drought declared since late last year and there was no sign of drought-breaking rain. “The extreme dry conditions continue to spread and we are potentially facing a second failed wet season,” Mr Newman said. “We promised to make agriculture one of the four pillars of the economy, so we’re doing everything we can to support producers and rural communities that have been doing it tough for the past year. “This is an expanded package of support measures worth $20 million for the current financial year, in addition to the $11.2 million I announced in May last year.” The new package includes additional funding for the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme (DRAS) of up to $13 million. This is on top of the $7 million already provided through DRAS so far this financial year and will help meet the rapidly increasing demand for freight subsidies and the Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate Scheme. Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh welcomed the package saying this was the most intense drought in a number of years and it was taking a significant toll. “This drought is tough on producers across the state, but it’s important they know that they haven’t been forgotten,” Mr McVeigh said. “Pasture conditions have continued to deteriorate and almost all producers have needed to supplementary feed stock for some months now.” “With the new drought declarations today, nearly 65 per cent of the state is now drought-declared and this will only increase if the wet season does not arrive soon. Mr McVeigh said the declaration opens up financial assistance, allowing Queensland to continue growing agriculture as one of the four pillars of the economy, as promised in the election. “We can’t afford to wait and hope for the best. That’s why the Newman Government is acting now to put these additional assistance measures in place for the remainder of the financial year.” Mr McVeigh said a further $5 million for land rental rebates and the introduction of assistance with the cost of water licences was included in the $20 million package. “As a new measure, we are also providing $2 million to organise community events, training and resources for local leaders and direct support for producers and families under stress,” he said. DROUGHT DECLARED AREAS: Balonne; Barcaldine; Barcoo; Blackall-Tambo; Boulia; Burke; Carpentaria; Central Highlands (part declared); Charters Towers (part declared); Croydon; Cloncurry; Diamantina; Doomadgee; Etheridge; Flinders; Isaac (part declared); Longreach; Maranoa; McKinlay; Mt Isa; Murweh; Paroo; Quilpie; Richmond; Woorabinda (part declared); and Winton. The maps of the drought declared areas and the boundary descriptions can be found at longpaddock.qld.gov.au Producers wanting to apply for our Drought Relief Assistance Scheme (DRAS) including the Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate should contact the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry on 13 25 23. DRAS claim forms and IDP applications can also be found online at daff.qld.gov.au For more information on drought support call 13 25 23, or visit daff.qld.gov.au or qraa.qld.gov.au Remember to donate please visit - aussiehelpers.org.au/donations/
Posted on: Tue, 21 Jan 2014 03:40:07 +0000
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