BURDEKIN primary producers who are struggling with drought conditions can apply for assistance, according to Mayor Bill Lowis.
Cr Lowis said even though the Burdekin Shire had not been drought declared there were some sections of the Shire struggling with this year’s drier conditions.
“I have been talking with some of our primary producers and they are struggling due to the minimal rain they have received over the past few years,” he said.
“The Bureau of Meteorology has already declared that the Burdekin has had the driest wet season in recorded history, particularly in Home Hill, and we’ve had the unusual situation of the Burdekin River not running.
“After some consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, I am encouraging those who are experiencing their driest 10-15 years to apply for an Individually Droughted Property (IDP) declaration.
“This will set in motion a governmental process where they may then be able to access the same assistance received by impacted producers within a drought-declared area.”
Cr Lowis said producers would have to demonstrate some drought management, such as destocking, to access the scheme.
“There is a list of criteria you must meet before you will be eligible to be considered for IDP declaration and producers will have to show some self-reliance in drought management.
“This funding is there to help you through this dry time and to keep our producers on their land, but it is up to them to apply for it.
“Council has discussed this with canegrower organisations and have passed on all relevant information to them.”
For more information go to https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industry/agriculture/rural-disaster-recovery/drought-assistance/idp-declaration