fbpx
 In

The Australian Government Reef Programme Grazing aimed to improve grazing land management practices in the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region. Reef Catchments grazing project officers assisted local graziers to complete farm planning to transition to industry best practice and above. The programme funded landholders to establish off-stream and land type watering points, undertake gully remediation, erect riparian and land type fencing and action pasture renovation and revegetation on riparian areas. The on ground projects delivered improvements to pasture groundcover and protection of the riparian zone, consequently reducing the risk of sediment discharge into the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.

The level of uptake, interest and financial contribution from graziers involved in the Australian Government Reef Programme is testament to graziers in the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region who are eager to achieve sustainable land management practices and address the collective issue of reducing sediment runoff into the Great Barrier Reef.

The third and final year of the Australian Government Reef Programme Grazing continued to be successful with graziers throughout the region eager to engage in projects. Expressions of Interest in the programme exceeded expectation. During 2015-16, 38 graziers representing a land area of 10,844 ha were involved in the programme. Graziers were provided with farm maps including an aerial photo, land types, and contours and cadastral maps. Reef Catchments grazing project officers used these maps to provide one-on-one extension services to the grazier, developing and completing farm plans which build environmental resilience (i.e. pasture management) into grazing properties and practices.

In addition Reef Catchments grazing project officers continued to support improvements in grazing land management practices (through follow up extension) for graziers engaged during the earlier stages of the programme. The extension services provided to help build the graziers knowledge and confidence, and gives them reassurance they are not expected to address water quality issues on their own, or overnight, and that they have the support of the Australian Government and wider community.

Reef Programme Grazing (2015-16), achievements included:
• $298,760 in grants distributed to local graziers for implementation of on ground works to improve water quality
• More than 15 km of land type fencing and 31 land type watering points to assist with pasture management and maintenance of groundcover across the regions diverse soil types and topography
• More than 10 km of riparian fencing and 15 offstream watering points to restrict stock access to streambank and gully areas.
• More than 315 ha of land management improvement and pasture renovation aimed at increasing groundcover to reduce sediment loss

Reef Programme Grazing (2013-16) achievements included:
• 69 graziers completed farm planning covering 33,531 ha
• 53 graziers involved in 58 on ground projects
• $618,906 in grants distributed to local graziers
• $1,068,273 contribution from graziers
• 41 km land type fencing and 52 land type watering points
• 42 km of riparian fencing and 60 riparian type watering points
• 1,186 ha land management improvement and pasture renovation
• 96 ha of gully management
• 3.5 ha of riparian vegetation

This three year Programme was completed in June 2016. Work done under this project is being progressed through the Queensland Government.

Monitoring Organisation Reef Catchments

Name Katrina Dent

Phone 4968 4207

Email katrina.dent@reefcatchments.com

Position in organisation General Manager

Activity Type agricultural projects (e.g. projects to improve water quality and/or soil health)

Activity Indicators water quality in freshwater river basins

Activity location O'Connell catchment, Pioneer catchment, Plane catchment, Proserpine catchment

Frequency of monitoring

Monitoring Start Date 01/07/2013

30/06/2016

Location of monitoring data

Date quality / confidence

Website URL http://reefcatchments.com.au/land/grazing/

Return to the Activities Spotlight Map

Recent Posts