The Rudd Government has accepted advice from the National Rural Advisory Council, based on urgent proposals from the NSW and Queensland governments, to amend drought assistance boundaries and extend Exceptional Circumstances support for some regions.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said revised Exceptional Circumstances boundaries means eligible farmers in the following areas can still access drought support:

• Bourke Rural Lands Protection Board, NSW
• Parts of Winton Shire Council in the former North West Ashy Downs region, Queensland
• Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Ipswich City Council, part of Scenic Rim Regional Council in the former Southern South East (Lockyer Valley), Queensland
• Parts of Banana Shire Council and Gladstone Regional Council in the former Burnett Addendum region, Queensland

The National Rural Advisory Council (NRAC) had recently reviewed these areas as their current Exceptional Circumstances declarations expire on 15 June 2008.

The Council had determined not to extend Exceptional Circumstances drought support because the majority of farmers had experienced improved conditions.

However, the Council also advised the Federal Government that some farmers in distinct areas within those regions had not received effective rain.

Mr Burke had urged NSW Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald and Queensland Minister for Primary Industries Tim Mulherin to submit revised boundary applications to the Council.

“I thank Minister Macdonald and Minister Mulherin for their swift action in providing detailed information on these four areas,” Mr Burke said.

“The NRAC agreed with their suggestions for revised Exceptional Circumstances boundaries and the Rudd Government has supported the move.

“Farmers in these revised areas can now continue to access drought assistance, including income support and interest rate subsidies, until 15 June 2009.”

For more information, go to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website at www.daff.gov.au/droughtassist or phone the drought hotline on 13 23 16.