Drought

QFF’s Drought Policy is now available - click HERE  (Revised September 2008)

The July 2008 drought fact sheet is now available - click HERE

This fact sheet updates the various assistance measures available to primary producers and small businesses operating in a region that has been Exceptional Circumstances (EC) declared. Australian Government announcements in late 2006 granted most of southern and central Queensland EC extensions to June 15 2008. Only seven (two revised) of these areas have had further extensions to June 2009. People who are still eligible are reminded that last year the Government relaxed two important eligibility limits and added some extra grants for special situations. Because this drought has extended well beyond the normal scope for recovery the government wants the extra dollars spent and urges all farm families and small business to make contact with Centrelink and get the dollars moving in your community. Remember, the Prime Minister said “we are erring on the side of generosity and liberality”. The message is clear. Don’t self assess. Apply. Benefits can be substantial.

Main Changes for 2007

· The Centrelink allowance for off-farm income is doubled to $20k/year for calculating EC Relief Payments (ECRP). Also, the off-farm assets limit for business support (EC Interest Rate Subsidy) is now $750k but will revert to $487k from October 2008. These changes mean that more farm families in EC areas are now eligible for either or both ECRP (Centrelink) and ECIRS (QRAA). These are the major sources of drought aide, but there are other important relief measures. See below.

· EC assistance now covers “all producers” – there are no longer any industry exclusions. Check the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forrestry for details.

· There are also new special purpose grants, including $20,000 for MDB irrigators.

· Planning Grants. A Centrelink $5k professional advice and planning grant is available for any farmer in an EC area seeking third party professional assistance.


PRIME CONTACTS

Centrelink 13 23 16

Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority or Freecall 1800 623 946

Queensland Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries or 13 25 23

Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

Contact Drought Project Officer Peter Perkins on 07 3837 4747 or 0428 631 135

Drought Paper - QFF Climate Variabilty & Change Roundtable
In October 2005, the Queensland Farmers' Federation (QFF) hosted a succesessful industry roundtable in Toowoomba to examine and explore issues and opportunities associated with climate variability and change. Industry leaders and representatives from the meat chicken, pork, cotton, dairy, grazing, and horticulture industries attended the roundtable and agreed industry should begin to plan and work towards positioning agricultural industries to make the best of a changing Queensland climate.

QFF Drought Coordinator, Peter Perkins presented an overview of drought policy and the importance of preparing for drought. A short paper was also produced and is available to download.

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