Drought hangs on in much of Queensland

More than 41 per cent of Queensland still remains drought declared, despite a season
dominated by floods and cyclones which affected many areas.
Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin on Wednesday removed more than 13 per cent
of the state from official drought status, covering areas from Mt Isa in the
northwest to Ipswich in the southeast corner of the state.
At the height of the drought in early 2004, more than two-thirds of Queensland was dry.
Widespread flooding and cyclonic and monsoonal rainfall has done little to help the
southwest corner of the state, which remains in the grip of the big dry.
Mr Mulherin said he expected the droughted area to diminish further as local
committees, consisting of departmental officers and local farmers, make their
recommendations on whether large sections of Queensland remain officially in
drought.