HISTORY: More than 87% of Queensland is in drought

QUEENSLAND has never been so dry.

Queensland's Agriculture
 Minister, Bill Byrne, has made
history in declaring seven
regions to be in drought.

The Sunshine State has lived up to its moniker too well, as historically low rainfall has led to an unprecedented situation for Queensland's primary producers.

The decision to declare seven regions - Fraser Coast, North Burnett, South Burnett, Cherbourg, Gympie, Somerset and the remainder of Banana - as officially in drought is not one Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne would have made lightly, but it is a decision some say was overdue for some parts of the state.

Mr Byrne's decision, which is based on the recommendations of Local Drought Committees (LDC), means 87.47% of the state is drought-declared.

Read the Sunshine Coast Daily story - “HISTORY: More than 87% of Queensland is in drought.”