Rural
24 November, 2023
Drought and fire conditions worsen
Landowners have looked to the skies this week in the hope that promised rain will bring relief from worsening fire and drought conditions across the region.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington, said she recently wrote to the Minister for Agriculture calling for the electorate’s local drought committee to be reconvened to consider an early drought declaration, however, the response she received did not address this request.
“While I understand there is a currently a review of how drought declarations are made, the Minister cannot wait until the end of the year to release this report,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“People living with the daily grip of drought need to know what is going on. In the meantime, I would encourage producers to apply for an Individually Droughted Property Declaration.
“Not only are landowners dealing with starving livestock and dry dams, some have also been hit with bushfires destroying farming infrastructure and whatever precious feed may have still been in the paddock.”