DPI&F's Climate Risk Group Set for Challenging Role

AUSTRALIA - A new Climate Risk Coordination Group is set to take on the challenging role of assisting Queensland primary producers to overcome the impacts of climate events.
calendar icon 30 January 2009
clock icon 1 minute read

Longreach-based Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries (DPI&F) officer Lew Markey has been appointed Climate Risk State coordinator supported by experienced extension officers located across regional Queensland.

Mr Markey said the Climate Risk Group would manage Local Drought Committees (LDCs), which were previously overseen by Biosecurity Queensland district inspectors.

"This transfer of responsibility will enable Biosecurity Queensland officers to focus on their core business of ensuring our livestock and plant industries remain disease free and address animal welfare issues," Mr Markey said.

"Our Climate Risk group works beyond drought-related issues and includes assistance to primary industries in declared disaster areas and individually affected properties impacted by fire, flood, storms and in rare circumstances, out-of-season frost damage."

Mr Markey said that at the Climate Risk Coordination Group´s first meeting held in Rockhampton on January 19-20, the extension team set the framework to deliver an effective client-focused service.

"There is an on-going responsibility to maintain the LDCs to put forward recommendations to the Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries relating to regional council shire Drought Declarations," he said.

"Across industry collaboration is vital and the Climate Risk extension officers will be working in partnership with local representatives of AgForce, Queensland Farmers´ Federation and Queensland Dairyfarmers´ Organisation."

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