Almost 85% of the Queensland area is officially in drought, and the state’s Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne said the Local Drought Committee had met outside the normal cycle in what was an unusual occurrence.

Under normal circumstances local drought committees meet once a year at the end of the summer rainfall period in April to discuss seasonal conditions including rainfall, availability of pasture and water and assess agricultural and horticultural industries. 

“The Bundaberg region has suffered from poor rainfall and heatwave conditions during this wet season and I instructed them to meet urgently to consider making a declaration,” Byrne said on Saturday.

“Member for Bundaberg Leanne Donaldson had advised me that the conditions in the region had deteriorated significantly and that is clearly the case.

“I was also advised by the Department that there had been a spike in the number of producers applying for Individual Droughted Property status.

“That was why I instructed the Local Drought Committee to convene to make an independent assessment.

“The Committee has advised that pasture response this growing season has varied due to storm rainfall but prospects from now into the winter are very poor due to extreme conditions.”

While cropping has suffered from the low rainfall and heatwave, there are also reports of pasture dieback in the region, which causes root rot in plants, thereby limiting or stopping the uptake of water and nutrients.

Drought declared producers are able to access DRAS fodder and water freight subsidies and emergency water infrastructure rebates as well as access other programs in the Queensland Drought Assistance Package.

This includes relief from electricity charges, land rent rebates and water licence waivers as well as access to a number of community and mental health programs.