NEARLY 70 per cent of Queensland is in drought, with Logan and the Redlands among eight south-east regions added to the list of drought-declared communities.
Agricultural Industry Development Minister Mark Furner said on Tuesday that he had accepted the recommendations of the local drought committees based on the significant lack of rain, depleted pasture reserves and growing concerns about agricultural water supply.
"Local drought committees usually meet at the end of the wet season in April, but due to the deteriorating conditions since then, these committees decided to recommend the areas be drought declared from December 1," Mr Furner said.
The current drinking water supply capacity of the south-east Queensland water grid is 57.9 per cent.
Fraser Coast, Gold Coast, Gympie, Moreton, Noosa and Sunshine Coast council areas have also been drought-declared.
"There are now 41 councils and four part council areas drought-declared, and 16 Individually Droughted Properties in a further five local government areas," Mr Furner said.
"These declarations represent 67.4 per cent of the land area of Queensland.
"In these regions, local drought committee members have observed extreme rainfall deficiencies, above average temperatures, poor pasture growth, low soil moisture profiles, failed winter grain, forage and horticultural crops, little to no planting of summer forage and grain crops, and significant concerns about stock, irrigation and rural water supplies.
"Any producer who is experiencing difficult conditions in any council area that is not drought declared, can apply for an IDP declaration. This gives you the same access to Queensland drought assistance as an area declaration."
Additional drought assessment officers and climate risk co-ordinators have been appointed for Toowoomba, Kingaroy, Rockhampton, Charters Towers and Longreach.
