RARE good news for drought-stricken Queensland graziers arrived recently with the announcement that the defence-owned land at Dotswood between Charters Towers and Townsville could be opened up for agistment purposes.
Tim McHugh of the Townsville-based livestock and property agency, Hogan & McHugh, said the appeal to make government controlled land available for producers was increasingly necessary as graziers had little to no grass left on their operations around the region.
"Producers need to have a way to maintain their herds so that, when rain finally does return to our beef-producing areas, numbers won't be so tight that prices are through the roof," Mr McHugh said.
Mr McHugh said that although opening up Dotswood would be a good start the state forest would need to be unlocked as well to make a real impact.
"While we can probably get close to 10,000 head on Dotswood, if the state forest was made available another 200,000 head could be supported.
"I hope commonsense will prevail as the industry is facing serious disaster."
Last month Mr McHugh had a lengthy conversation with Herbert federal MP Ewen Jones about how some of the pressure producers were facing could be reduced.
"Ewan took the idea up in Parliament, where he discussed the viability of opening up Defence land so graziers can maintain their herds," he said.
"Prime Minister (Tony) Abbott was quick to respond and now the possibility of the land being opened up is progressing well."
Fairfax Media contacted a Defence spokesperson, who provided clarification on the some of the issues that needed to be sorted out before cattle were allowed on the land.
"We've been contacted and/or met with 30 graziers who have to date requested assistance," the spokesperson said.
"At this stage no formal arrangements have been agreed for access to Townsville Field Training Area.
"The Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries are working to advise and make recommendations to Defence about the relative priority of each request.
"Defence is continuing to work with graziers, including undertaking joint inspections of potential agistment locations within Townsville Field Training Area, to determine the extent to which Defence can offer assistance."
The spokesperson said that while no start date for agistment activity had been agreed Defence and graziers were jointly planning for agistment to begin as soon as it was practical to do so.
The situation was complicated because Townsville Field Training Area was a high use training area that Defence required at all times for the purpose of exercises and training in direct support of operational preparedness and deployments. Defence exercises and training would continue in the training area during any periods where access for agistment might be granted.
"However, to accommodate the extraordinary nature of the circumstances, reduce safety risks and avoid detrimental impacts on training, Defence has relocated training activities and exercises to other locations in the training area where practical and possible to do so."
The spokesperson said that apart from one small section the area is adequately fenced.
"The inadequate section will be fixed as a priority and will be completed as soon as possible."
Another issue is that water isn't readily available in the sectors of Townsville Field Training Area considered the most viable for agistment, according to the spokesperson.
Mr McHugh said the water situation could be worked around by having water carted in.
Brian and Glenda Kirwood, Somerview Stud, Charters Towers, are hoping they are among those selected to use the land for agistment.
Mrs Kirkwood said fortunately they'd be able to pump water from their dam, which borders Dotswood, into their designated area if they're selected.
