Declaring and revoking a drought

Independent review of the drought declaration process

In 2023, the Queensland Government initiated a review of drought declaration provisions. The review, led by Charles Burke, made recommendations to reform the current ministerial drought declaration process.

The public release of the Queensland Drought Declaration Process: Independent Report (Burke review) allows us to consult with industry and develop options for implementing the recommendations.

The role of local drought committees will continue as they are an important link between rural and regional communities, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), and the Queensland Government.

Drought criteria

A drought declaration is an official acknowledgment by the government that an area or individual property is affected by poor seasonal conditions.

In Queensland, a declaration can be either:

• an area, shire or part-shire declaration
• an individually droughted property declaration.

Drought is considered to be when rainfall recorded during the previous 12 months—at a minimum and including a full wet season from November to March—is in the lowest (or driest) decile (at or below the 10th percentile of historical rainfall) when compared to the long-term rainfall for that location.

Other factors that may also be considered include:

• pasture availability
• ground cover
• pasture response to rainfall
• effectiveness of rainfall
• soil moisture
• water availability
• frequency of supplementary feeding
• livestock conditions
• stock movements
• stocking rates.

For more information on drought criteria, read:

• Queensland drought declarations
• local drought committee (LDC) guidelines.

Area or shire drought declarations

The Minister for Primary Industries makes area or shire drought declarations based on seasonal conditions data and the recommendations of LDCs and DPI officers.

LDCs comprise local producers and representatives from peak industry bodies. The committees are chaired by climate risk coordinator staff from DPI.

Recommending a drought declaration

LDCs meet every year to review seasonal conditions, either at the end of the wet season or as required. DPI officers and LDC members will recommend an area or shire for drought declaration when that area or shire meets the drought criteria.

The Minister will review the recommendation from the LDCs and announce any changes to Queensland's drought status.

The starting date of an area or shire declaration is usually the date recommended by the LDC. LDCs can then meet as required throughout the year as they continue to monitor conditions. An area or shire drought declaration remains in place until it is revoked.

Individually droughted property declarations

Primary producers who do not fall within an area or shire that is drought-declared but who believe they are experiencing drought conditions and meet the criteria for drought can apply for an individually droughted property (IDP) declaration.

Revoking a drought declaration

The base criteria for a period of drought to be considered ended or ‘revoked’ is when rainfall for the previous 12 months is at or above the 40th percentile. While full restocking and/or crop production and/or financial recovery may not have occurred (and may not for several years), it acknowledges that local seasonal conditions have improved and that existing water and pasture reserves should last until the expected onset of the next wet season.

An area or shire drought declaration is only revoked by the Minister based on seasonal conditions data and the recommendations of LDC members and DPI officers.

Primary producers may also revoke their individual property from an area drought declaration if they feel that conditions on their property have improved so that there is enough water and pasture to last a minimum of 12 months at normal or near-normal stocking rates.

When an area or shire drought declaration is revoked, any producer within the area who believes that their property is still drought-stricken can apply for an IDP. Regardless of your drought status, you can access the Drought Preparedness Grant at any time.