Drought relief forums next week

Mixed falls of rain were recorded across the region overnight Friday and this morning, Saturday 8 September, with clear conditions forecast for the week ahead.

Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) official falls included 27mm at Queen Mary Falls above Killarney, 28mm at Elbow Valley east of Warwick, 16mm for Warwick and 17mm at Allora, while Stanthorpe only recorded 2.2mm.

Sunny conditions are forecast for tomorrow, Sunday 9 September, with an overnight minimum of 7 and a top of 23 for Warwick, and a low of 3 and a top of 20 degrees for Stanthorpe.

The community is being called upon to put forward its ideas on how $1 million in Federal Government funding is best spent to benefit the Southern Downs in the face of drought.

Drought Relief Forums will be hosted by the Southern Downs Regional Council at the Warwick Town Hall this Tuesday 11 September and at the Stanthorpe Civic Centre on Friday 14 September 2018.

Earlier this month, the Federal Government announced it would boost the Drought Communities Program by $75 million and provide initial support of $1 million to 60 eligible councils, including SDRC.

The funding provides short-term support to communities to build resilience to the drought’s long-term impacts.

The grant will provide assistance with local employment opportunities, supporting local businesses and suppliers; encouraging economic activity and assisting with drought-relief initiatives.

Contribute your suggestions on how the council can best use the Federal Government’s Drought Communities Program funding. Drop in to one of Council’s Drought Relief Forums or share your ideas via SDRC’s online Drought Relief Funding Survey – for more information visit www.sdrc.qld.gov.au, call 1300 MY SDRC (1300 697 372) or like and follow the SDRC Facebook page.

Event details…

Warwick Drought Relief Forum, Town Hall, 1pm-7pm, Tuesday 11 September 2018.

Stanthorpe Drought Relief Forum, Stanthorpe Civic Centre, 7am-1pm, Friday 14 September 2018.