However, the easterly portion of the region was not as fortunate with rainfall varying from 10-30mm. Many farmers have taken the chance to plant with available rain making use of the subsoil moisture stored over the summer months. However, the heavier black soils still require 50mm to plant. The summer harvest of apples, grapes and stonefruits is complete. Yield and quality was affected by the cool and moist conditions which prevailed during the growing season.
Water supplies are plentiful.
It was a mixed month for rainfall ranging from very much below average around Charters Towers to above average over western and central Cape York. Rainfall extended across the region during the middle of the month with the central west area receiving more effective rainfall than other areas. The coastal Boyne River and Connors River flows were well above average for this time of year, but flows elsewhere were almost non-existent. During May, the Mackenzie River weirs spilled, the Dawson River weirs remained full or near full and Kroombit Dam recorded an inflow of 1400 Ml, which was the first inflow into Kroombit Dam since March 1999. Most districts have adequate to excellent surface water supplies particularly along the near coastal areas.