The Bundaberg region has been officially drought-declared.
The declaration, effective from March 1, brings the area of Queensland that is drought-declared to 84.29 per cent.
Agriculture Minister Bill Byrne said he had accepted a recommendation from the Local Drought Committee.
Mr Byrne said it was unusual for a Local Drought Committee to meet outside the normal cycle.
"But the Bundaberg region has suffered from poor rainfall and heatwave conditions during this wet season and I instructed them to meet urgently to consider making a declaration," Mr Byrne said.
Usually, drought committees meet once a year at the end of the summer rainfall period in April.
Mr Byrne said the department advised there was a spike in the number of producers applying for individual droughted property status.
"The committee has advised that pasture response this growing season has varied due to storm rainfall but prospects from now into the winter are very poor due to extreme conditions," he said.
"There are reports of pasture dieback in the region and cane and cropping has suffered from the low rainfall and heatwave."
Primary producers can check the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme guidelines to confirm their eligibility for assistance.
Drought-declared producers can access DRAS fodder and water freight subsidies and emergency water infrastructure rebates.
The assistance package includes relief from electricity charges, land rent rebates, water licence waivers and mental health packages.
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