WHILE drought remains an inevitable part of Queensland’s weather patterns, Queenslanders must change its thinking about how its manage its land and unpredictable weather patterns, and support people through extreme events, if it is to keep people out of poverty.
This is the key finding of the Drought and Poverty in Central Western Queensland 2014-15 report which was researched and written by Sandy Paton, a member of the State Anti-Poverty Week Committee and long-time advocate for issues affecting rural Queenslanders.
The 32-page insight into the impacts of the drought in western Queensland follows on a report Ms Paton prepared last year.
The CentrecareCQ report can be found at: http://www.centacarecq.com/images/Drought-report.pdf
Ms Paton said the longer the drought continued, the greater the emotional and financial pressure it imposed on people in affected areas.
“Even the most resilient are tested,” she said.
“The long term survival of both producers and their communities continues to depend on appropriate support in the present, and strategic forward thinking and leadership, now and into the future.
“When the drought does break, it will be still several years before most producers receive an income flow.
“Most will be starting from scratch, with a need to restock, and they may also be dependent on banks for favourable refinancing.
“High cattle prices and low land values further complicate financing decisions. Additionally, good rain may open the rural property market to ‘bargain hunters’, putting pressure on banks to foreclose and sell properties.”
Ms Paton said hidden poverty would be present in rural communities for several years.
The factors that mitigate the impact of drought remain the same, regardless of the length of the drought itself, the report says.
These include:
• Being well prepared for the inevitable.
• Building resilience in people and communities.
• Learning from past and current experiences.
• State and federal government support that is timely, strategic and accessible.
• Approaches that encourage people to come together and build social networks of support.
• Sustaining existing resources in the community.
• Industry leadership.
• Diversification.
“As advised in the 2014 Drought and Poverty in Central Western Queensland report, the effective implementation of these mitigating strategies can only be achieved when Federal, State and local governments, industry and business leaders, landholders, service providers and other stakeholders work together collaboratively, to achieve a sustainable agricultural industry and thriving rural communities,” Ms Paton said.
“So, while drought still remains an inevitable part of Australia’s weather patterns, we must change our thinking about how we manage our land and unpredictable weather patterns, and support people through extreme events, if we are to keep people out of poverty.”
Ms Paton said positive steps in 2014-15 included:
• Increased awareness of the impact of drought on small rural businesses and communities, as well as producers.
• Greater focus on channelling support dollars directly into rural communities, rather than sending in goods that can be purchased there.
• Tourism strategies and events that attract people to visit droughted communities.
• Community forums that raised public and political awareness of the reality of the drought.
• Continued support from both the Australian and Queensland Government.
• Recognition in the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper that funding needs to be set aside for both in-drought support, and planning and preparing to better manage future drought events.
Dr Ricki Jeffery, CentacareCQ Diocesan director, said the report was a valuable tool, and recognition of an ongoing struggle.
“We’re pleased to be supporting Sandy in her work by launching this report on our website,” Dr Jeffery said.
“CentacareCQ have been operating a drought support program in the central west for more than 12 months and it’s clear the financial and social impacts of the drought are becoming more widespread.”
CentrecareCQ is a part of the Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton.
