FOCUS ON : EVOLUTION MINING PARTNERSHIP
SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIP BENEFITS FARMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
This year we completed a two-year pilot project to turn invasive weeds choking a Lower Burdekin creek into a compost to improve soil health and productivity on local farms .
Project partner Evolution Mining contributed $ 200,000 through its Shared Value Program , which funds sustainable initiatives that benefit communities .
Evolution Mining Health , Safety , Environment & Community ( HSEC ) Manager , Mark Brown , said partnering with NQ Dry Tropics on this project offered an opportunity to demonstrate responsible land stewardship , protect the environment , and give something back to the community .
“ Evolution is proud to be involved with NQ Dry Tropics and this project . We ’ re always on the lookout for opportunities to work with landowners or organisations to improve the environment and leave a legacy ”.
As a project partner , Evolution also benefited from widespread publicity around the project , with stories on TV , radio , local and regional print media , and subscription publications such as Growcom Magazine . A short film about the project was also widely viewed on social media and several websites .
Senior Project Officer Scott Fry said partnering with Evolution had enabled NQ Dry Tropics to explore opportunities that weren ’ t possible under existing funding arrangements :
“ We have worked for many years to tackle invasive weeds from creeks and wetlands , but until now had only been leaving them on the bank . Funding from Evolution has allowed us to take weed control to the next level by turning them into a resource to benefit local farms ,” he said .
Evolution Mining HSEC
Manager , Mark Brown
Senior Project Officer Scott Fry with Bowen farmer Jamie Jurgens , who used the compost on his crops
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