DROUGHT affected farmers are set to receive a helping hand from Southern Downs Regional Council as drought conditions worsen.
The Warwick based council has waived more than $93,000 in council fees and charges,saying it is actively looking at ways to practically assist local farmers and producers.
The measures include:
- Sale of organic material from waste facilities (domestic) used as mulch by the horticulture industry. Mulch is charged out at $9/cubic metre.
- Hire of spray equipment unit (pest management). The hire fee is $114/week or $28.50/day.
- Infrastructure Replacement Levy - Cattle, sheep, horses and goats (saleyards). The levy is $1.05/head for cattle and 35c/head for sheep and goats.
Southern Downs Mayor Tracy Dobie said council recognised the pressures being faced by local farmers and was undertaking a number of initiatives to minimise the impacts of drought.
“We’ve discussed this extensively and we know our farmers and producers are feeling the impacts of this terrible drought; that’s why we are finding practical ways to assist them,” Cr Dobie said.
“Several farmers have spoken to me and other councillors about how they would like council to assist them. We’ve taken that advice on board and implemented some of those changes.”
The forums will be in the form of all day ‘drop-in’ sessions in Warwick on September 11 and in Stanthorpe on September 12.
Cr Dobie said council was responding to the drought with a number of measures and initiatives, while developing its water efficiency plan to manage water resources into the future.
A drought disaster management plan was also being developed in partnership with other government and support agencies.
The plan outlines a response for worsening conditions and will be addressed at the local disaster management group meeting in September.
