QLD: Floods may be silver lining for primary producers

AAP General News (Australia)
02-12-1999
QLD: Floods may be silver lining for primary producers

By Selina Day

BRISBANE, Feb 12 AAP - While householders and industry count losses from this week's
devastating floods in south-east Queensland, the big wet may have a silver lining for many
primary producers.

Farmers generally appeared to have escaped the soaking with little major crop damage and,
for some, the rains have been a boon - promising graingrowers the best summer crops in a
decade.

Natural Disaster Areas declared through the week because of the floods account for about 10
per cent of the state. Just more than eight per cent of the state remains under drought
declaration from as long ago as September 1992.

Ironically, two areas listed as drought declared - Kilcoy and Esk, west of Brisbane - have
now also been proclaimed Natural Disaster Areas as a result of the floods.

"It's not unprecedented," said Julie Postle, policy officer for risk management and drought
with Queensland's Department of Primary Industries (DPI).

"But it's obvious both the rainfall event and the drought event were exceptional, and it's
turned around so quickly.

"I guess there'll be a review of the drought declarations for those shires."

This week, Emergency Services Minister Merri Rose declared the Gympie, Toowoomba, Beenleigh
and Brisbane districts Natural Disaster Areas as some of the worst flooding this century
devastated communities and killed seven people.

The declaration allows affected primary producers to apply for concessional loans for
"carry-on" requirements including replanting, restocking and payments of rents and rates.

The Natural Disaster Relief Arrangements for the floods were expected to run into the
multi-millions, the Department of Emergency Services said.

Among those lining up for assistance could be canegrowers and dairy farmers, the
worst-affected producers out of the February 1999 floods.

Canegrowers in the Maryborough region - which produces about one 50th of the state's cane -
were at "moderate" risk of serious losses, Queensland Canegrowers said.

"Some growers will have some losses, depending on how long the cane's under water for,"
Canegrowers chair Harry Bonanno said.

Dairy farmers were also expecting losses, mostly because of problems in getting milk to its
destination.

But graingrowers, unaffected by flooding, are rejoicing in the good rainfalls.

Queensland Graingrowers Association acting president Geoff Woods said: "It's been the best
summer season in a long time - the best sorghum, mung beans and cotton for 10 years."

The impact of floods on fruit and vegetables had been minimal, the Queensland Fruit and
Vegetable Growerssaid.

"There's been a lot of devastation of towns but thankfully, in terms of horticulture,
there's been some disruption to some individual farms but it's not a picture of disruption
(overall)," general manager Bob Granger said.

However, the Brisbane Markets warned consumers of a possible price rise for squash,
zucchini and beans, much of which comes from the Gympie area.

Meanwhile, drought relief payments continue to help Queensland farmers still awaiting good
rainfalls, although such aid is being paid to fewer areas.

DPI figures show drought-declared areas in the 12 months to January 1999 had almost halved
from the previous 12 months, to 15 from 23.

Relief monies paid to the state's 15 drought-declared regions to January 31 this year
totalled $12.8 million, according to the Queensland Rural Adjustment Authority.

AAP sd/mk/de

KEYWORD: NEWSCOPE QLD

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