Queensland’s official drought status has dropped to 41.9 per cent.

As reported by InQueensland, the State’s total drought declared area was just under 45 per cent before recent downpours brought last month to a soggy end.

As dams across the State remain full to the brim, central Queensland can claim responsibility for the latest cut to drought-declared shires, with Banana, Blackall Tambo and Gladstone Regional council areas now officially free of the dry.

Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said Local Drought Committees (LDCs) had recommended the move off the back of well-above-average rainfall since October 2021 and out of season rainfall in 2022, which had led to “excellent pasture growth”.

He suggested further falls in drought declarations could be in the offing depending on how the season unfolds over summer.

“LDCs in remaining drought declared areas will continue to monitor pasture recovery as temperatures warm and pastures recover,” he said.

Furner said primary producers in drought-revoked areas could access freight subsidies for restocking and returning livestock from agistment under the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme (DRAS).

“If a producer believes they are still experiencing difficult conditions in a council area that is no longer drought declared, then they could apply for an Individually Droughted Property (IDP) declaration.

“This will continue to give them the same access to drought assistance as a current area declaration.”

Furner said primary producers no longer needed to be in a drought declared area to access assistance.

The drought declaration map can be viewed at longpaddock.qld.gov.au