Queensland Government drought assistance

Drought Relief Assistance Scheme (DRAS)

The Drought Relief Assistance Scheme (DRAS) provides five assistance measures.

Drought-declared properties may be eligible for:

1. freight subsidies for transporting fodder
2. freight subsidies for transporting water
3. the EWIR (Emergency Water Infrastructure Rebate), which provides a rebate on the purchase and installation of water infrastructure purchased for animal welfare needs. (EWIR addresses immediate animal welfare needs, helps improve properties to be more drought resilient, and generally lifts productivity by providing water supply to areas where pasture was less than fully utilised.)

Properties that have had their drought declaration revoked may be eligible for:

1. freight subsidies for transporting livestock returning from agistment
2. freight subsidies for transporting livestock purchased for restocking.

DRAS generally provides a maximum of $20,000 per property per financial year on all freight subsidy and rebate types. This may increase to $30,000 with the approval of a drought management plan by DAF Extension staff. This can increase further up to $40,000 in the third and later years of a drought  declaration.

Producers in a drought-declared area or who have an individually droughted property (IDP) declaration can apply for DRAS support through DAF.

The government has committed to maintaining these programs until 2018. The estimated value of the Queensland drought assistance package over the next four years is $52.1 million.

QLD’s Drought Relief Assistance Scheme is subject to terms and conditions that identify the required eligibility criteria as outlined in the program guidelines. Please discuss your farming needs with us on 5462 2277 to find out how you may be eligible.