Much needed rainfall predicted in Gympie this winter
Thousands of farmers across the region have been fighting a losing battle with the Gympie drought since it was declared in December 2019, but predicted rainfall for the region this winter may bring some relief.
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Thousands of farmers across the region have been fighting a losing battle with the Gympie drought since it was declared in December 2019, but predicted rainfall for the region this winter may bring some relief.
A Bureau of Meteorology climate summary for Autumn 2021 revealed South East Queensland received -below average rainfall, with Gympie acquiring 216.6mm of rain compared to the long term average of 297.1mm.
Things may improve now that winter has arrived, with the Bureau of Meteorology predicting above average rainfall for Gympie.
According to a rainfall outlook for the region between June and August, there is a 45 per cent chance of receiving at least 150mm rain, slightly less than the long0term average winter rainfall of 151.1mm.
Gympie farmers especially would welcome some decent rain, after dry conditions have caused a myriad of issues.
MP and grazier Tony Perrett said while some late-season rainfall had helped pasture growth, one of the biggest issues still affecting farmers was the management of water, with dams and creeks below level.
“There’s been very little surface run-off...in recent times it’s creating some challenges around the management of water on properties,” he said.
Cattle farmers are also facing a reduction in herd numbers, Mr Perrett said, which had helped increase cattle prices and affected Gympie businesses still recovering after the pandemic.
He said farming was one of the key economic drivers of the Gympie region economy, and no average rainfall in winter would cause future problems in spring and summer.
“If it happens, that’s excellent, in that if you get a dry winter, it’s always a struggle going into spring,” Mr Perrett said.
“There’s been such a deficit (of rain) over the last few years, we’re playing a lot of catch-up.”
He also pointed out that dry conditions throughout winter and spring inevitably increased fire danger in the summer.
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