One third of Queensland drought declared after much of north-west Queensland missed summer rain ONE third of Queensland has been drought declared after much of the west and north missed summer rain. Agriculture Minister John McVeigh said 13 local government areas had been declared due to extremely dry conditions. Local drought committees, which include local producers ... have confirmed a very sober picture in the west and northwest. Hundreds of thousands of cattle have been trucked out of the Channel country, west and north since last year, producing record sale numbers at livestock centres such as Roma. Drought declared shires are Boulia, Burke, Carpentaria, Croydon, Cloncurry, Diamantina, Doomadgee, Etheridge, Flinders, McKinlay, Murweh, Paroo and Richmond. Some of these are among the largest in the state. It is the first time entire council areas have drought declared since 2011 although a further 28 properties have been individually declared. "This shows just how quickly the situation has changed," he said. We're keeping an eye on a number of additional council areas. Mr McVeigh said drought declarations were expected to rise as the dry season progressed. A drought declaration means producers can apply for drought relief subsidies. " (This) provides up to 50 per cent freight subsidies on fodder and water while an area is drought declared and freight subsidies for restocking and returning from agistment after the drought declaration is revoked," Mr McVeigh said. The Queensland Government will provide up to $20,000 (excluding GST) to drought declared producers each financial year.