Gladstone, Banana and Blackall Tambo Regional Councils drought status revoked after sustained heavy rainfall

Just more than 40 per cent of Queensland remains drought declared after three more regional councils had their status lifted following sustained heavy rainfall.

Lake Awoonga / Awonga Dam.

Gladstone is officially no longer in drought following sustained rainfall, but the local water authority says the major dam was mostly untouched.

The total area of Queensland under drought declaration has fallen again to 41.9 per cent after three more shires had their drought status revoked.

Gladstone, Banana, and Blackall Tambo are no longer drought declared after significant above-average rainfall since October 2021, and out of season rainfall in 2022.

Dams are dry and feed were difficult to source for stock at times when the Gladstone region was crippled by drought in previous years. Picture: The Observer

Agricultural Industry Development and Fisheries, and Rural Communities Minister, Mark Furner said primary producers in drought-revoked areas could access freight subsidies for restocking and returning from agistment under the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme.

“These shires have seen average to well-above-average rainfall … which has led to excellent pasture growth,” Mr Furner said.

“If a producer believes they are still experiencing difficult conditions in a council area that is no longer drought declared, then they could apply for an Individually Droughted Property (IDP) declaration.”

Mr Furner said Local Drought Committees in drought declared areas would continue to monitor pasture recovery as temperatures warmed.

Despite recent and consistent heavy rainfall, Lake Awoonga / Awoonga Dam remains at 65 per cent, according to the Gladstone Area Water Board. Picture: The Observer

A Gladstone Area Water Board spokeswoman said despite recent rainfall in the region, Awoonga Dam capacity remained at 65 per cent.

“A Low Supply Alert remains in place for Lake Awoonga and the Gladstone region,” the spokeswoman said.

 “The Low Supply Alert declaration applies to all Gladstone Area Water Board customers and is an opportunity to voluntarily reduce water usage at home, work and in the community.”

The spokeswoman said voluntary water conservation was particularly important during summer when water usage typically increased throughout the region.

Gladstone Regional Council mayor, Matt Burnett said while he welcomed the declaration he would not celebrate the move as he knows not all parts of the region benefited from, or received the recent falls.

Gladstone Regional Council Mayor, Matt Burnett speaking at a press conference in Gladstone. Picture: Supplied

“I haven’t had a chance to chat with every landowner across our vast region but while this news is welcome I know not everyone got the rain,” Mr Burnett said.

“This is particularly good for the people of Miriam Vale, and a big shoutout to them, because they did amazing during the period of sustained drought to be responsible water users,” he said.

“As they say when it rains it pours, and with the heavy rainfall there has been damage to our roads and I’m currently advocating alongside the LGAQ to boost funding for roads across Queensland, of which councils are responsible for about 77 per cent.”

Mr Burnett is the Vice President of Australian Local Government Association, and Director on the LGAQ Board.