Despite rain consistently falling over parts of South East Queensland, drought is still ravaging western parts of the state. In fact, while Brisbane is getting greener and greener, a staggering 80% of Queensland is 'drought' declared.

The Mayor of the Barcaldine Shire, Councillor Rob Chandler, says farmers out west are doing it tough.

"From Barcaldine, west to Longreach, up to Winton and out to the Diamantina country, it's aweful. There's people that haven't had a decent (rain) fall in three years," he said.

"Graziers are a pretty tough mob and they know how to handle a drought, but when you get these droughts that are close to the worst in history, it's bad," Cr. Chandler said.

He says some farmers have avoided planting crops this year because of the drought, and won't have any means of making an income until the next season rolls around.

"Those people that are in the cropping business, they just vritually have to wait another full year. They miss one, they have to sit back and wait for the season again."

But, he says the various loss prevention methods being adopted by farmers across Western Queensland can have bitter consequences, leaving farmers in a quandry.

"As for graziers that have de-stocked and are sitting there, waiting for rain; their options when it does rain are quite difficult, because prices will be sky high and having to borrow the funds to buy cattle at very high prices - well, it's going to take them a long time to get out of it (the debt)," he said.

Councillor Chandler says farmers are desperately hoping that 2015 brings them some drenching rain.

"We look for that general rain that can sweep over the country from a northern depression, like a cyclone or something. January, February and March is where we're looking for that general rain that will prop everybody up."

"At the moment, it's heartbreaking. It's sort of that hit and miss stuff, you know. The neighbour gets two-and-a-half-inches and you get none. It just drives that nail a bit further," Councillor Chandler said.

He says that during their darkest days, those farmers in the country that are doing it especially tough have recieved a lot of support from people in the city.

Source - http://www.4bc.com.au/