MUCH of Queensland may have had good rain but many of the falls have been extremely patchy, meaning the drought is far from over.
That’s the sobering assessment of Opposition’s agriculture spokesperson Deb Frecklington who says the very light to heavy falls that have fallen across western and northern Queensland had not broken the drought.
In fact some areas had still not received any worthwhile rain.
Ms Frecklington said more general rain was needed over the coming weeks and months to break the drought afflicting nearly 90 per cent of Queensland.
“Even then, it could take years for individual farms and local towns to recover,” Ms Frecklington said.
“While falls of 20 to 50mm have been received in western centres, many areas have missed out.
“Good falls have been recorded in the parts of the far south west, Warrego and Central Highlands.
“However, more widespread rain is needed right across the state before we could even think of saying the drought is over.
“As the saying goes, it doesn’t rain money. Even with continued good falls and pasture growth, it will take years for farming and grazing operations to generate the cash-flow needed to get back to where they were.”
Ms Frecklington said it would be particularly difficult for livestock breeding operations that had been forced to all-but de-stock during the drought. Even with a return to more normal seasons, the challenge would be re-stocking at record saleyard prices, she said.
“Accessing finance to re-build herds could well be beyond many, with debt-equity ratios stretched after years of little to no income,” Ms Frecklington said.
“We keep hearing cattle prices are the best in 30 years, but no one has got any cattle to take advantage of the market.”
Ms Frecklington said weed outbreaks would be a big issue when the drought broke.
“The Palaszczuk Government needs to ensure every regional program is running as efficiently as possible,” she said.
“This is critical for programs aimed at helping farmers and landholders to combat weeds and feral animals.
“The spread of weed seeds, especially prickly acacia, from storms along western watercourses will again be a major issue, while there’ll be weed outbreaks from trucked-in fodder.
“Government and quasi-government programs need to be fully accountable and deliver genuine value, not just for local employment, but for real, on-the-ground outcomes.”
