The weekend focus on what drought is doing to communities around regional Queensland has resulted in the promise of a $50,000 donation from the state government for the Western Queensland Drought Appeal, along with a raise in the annual cap for charity fodder freight subsidies, from $30,000 to $100,000.
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Deputy Premier Jackie Trad made the announcement of the donation during the bush forum run by the Sunday Mail in Longreach on Saturday morning. “We have to rely on each other to get over this hump,” she said.
Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne this week added that the state government understood the drought was exceptional and had “blighted much of Queensland for three years now with no sign of it easing anytime soon”.
The donation will go into the kitty aiming to provide debit cards to graziers, for redemption with local businesses, also casualties of the drought.
The government helped the appeal committee meet the costs associated with last Friday’s concert via the Community Assistance Package, part of its drought assistance measures.
The subsequent announcement by Mr Byrne that the annual cap for charity fodder freight subsidies would be raised from $30,000 to $100,000 was welcomed by Aussie Helpers founder Brian Egan.
Subsidies of up to 100 per cent have been made available throughout the drought for groups engaged in carting hay to drought-affected areas.
Capped at $30,000 per charity, they have had to negotiate increases on a case-by-case basis.
In 2014 Aussie Helpers claimed $150,000 and Mr Egan said that would increase this year, although a recent donation of a B double would help cut down on freight costs.
“We move thousands of tonnes. Just this year we brought 23 road trains worth of hay to Ilfracombe and Longreach,” Brian said.
“Most recently we’ve taken hay to Jundah, Boulia and Etheridge shires – we’re out there every day of the week.”
The changes will reduce the paperwork required for charities to obtain cover for freight costs. Nearly $500,000 in fodder freight subsidies has been made available to registered charities so far this drought.
Drought Relief Assistance Scheme fodder freight subsidies have reached $21.2 million overall, and emergency water infrastructure rebates are valued at $46.8 million when a $13 million top up from the federal government is included.
This financial year the state government’s Drought Assistance Package is expected to cost around $46 million.
People wishing to make a contribution to the Western Queensland Drought Appeal should visit www.wqda.org.au and give generously.
