Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett is calling on the Palaszczuk Government to convene a drought committee meeting for the Burnett.
“Our graziers and farmers are in a dire situation with many seeing their electricity relief initiative cease today,” Mr Bennett said.
“They’re facing a very bleak future and I’ve had countless producers come to me, in desperate need. “The Bundaberg region is suffering and conditions have deteriorated significantly in the last few months.
“The electricity relief was offered as part of the former drought declaration.
“I’m calling on the Minister for Agriculture to ensure the drought committee meets immediately. “Our cane farmers are looking to replant their fields right now, but how can they if they can’t afford water?”
Rainfall over the 2018 autumn and winter period has been less than 50 per cent of average at Bundaberg district monitoring sites.
The remainder of winter and the beginning of spring does not appear to show much promise of substantial relief rain.
“These are extraordinary circumstances in the region, yes we had considerable rainfall last October and over the summer, but we’re now in the middle of a very long dry period and exceptions need to be made,” said Mr Bennett.
Managing Director of Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable growers Allan Mahoney said it’s about cutting as many expenses as we can for the growing fraternity.
“Growers on our western side are suffering badly, even though we’re high in our allocation of water for the region, it doesn’t cover off growers usage,’ Mr Mahoney said.
“Water is not going to last forever if we don’t start looking at the allocation now.
“It’s about managing what we have into the future, things will only get worse if we don’t see a drop of water soon.”
17-08-18