15th November 2006Qld Water Minister, Craig Wallace, says his Government is costing a proposal to freeze irrigation water charges for those farmers affected by drought.
He says Acting Premier, Anna Bligh, has given an undertaking to consider water charging rate relief for people who are in exceptional circumstances areas.
But he’s warned that Qld wants the Federal Government to contribute part o the costs.
Queensland’s rural water users should not be paying for something they don’t receive during the drought, according to AgForce water spokesperson Ian Burnett.
“Both the Victorian and NSW governments have dropped, or reduced water charges, for drought affected irrigators,” Mr Burnett said.
“It’s time for Queensland to do the same.”
Mr Burnett said irrigators in federally declared drought Exceptional Circumstances (EC) areas should not be forced to pay water allocation fees when they haven’t received water for up to five years in some areas.
Prime Minister John Howard suggested at last week’s water summit in Canberra that the states waive water charges and introduce rebate schemes, to help drought-affected farmers.
“In NSW, water charges have been waived for those in EC areas,” Mr Burnett said.
“In Victoria, the Government is not only offering a $5000 rebate where water allocations are below 50pc, they are also rebating 50pc of shire rates for landholders in EC declared areas.
“For landholders with zero water allocations and rising debt this would go a long way toward relieving the burden of ongoing farm expenses.”
Mr Burnett said waiving water charges for irrigators in EC areas with no allocation would cost the Queensland Government $5.2 million a year.
“While this is small change for the State Government, it will have a major impact on the lives of Queensland irrigators,” he said.
“Waiving water charges is one of the best ways the government can help the bush during this time of drought.”
SOURCE: Queensland Country Life weekly rural news service, updated daily by FarmOnline.
