Queensland’s peak agricultural body wants the Palaszczuk government to begin an economic stimulus package into rural councils to keep bush towns going in drought-ravaged Queensland.

About 57 per cent of Queensland – including vast swathes of properties west of Toowoomba – is now in drought.

Dairy farmer Brendan Hayden on his drought-stricken property, in Pilton, Queensland (near Toowoomba). Credit:Peter Rickards

In March 2017, Cylcone Debbie dropped enough rain to reverse the position in February 2017 when 88 per cent of Queensland was in drought.

Queensland authorities are nervously watching New South Wales where 100 per cent of the state was “drought-declared” last week.