65 BURDEKIN DRY TROPICS NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN 2016-2026
Environmental flow characteristics are maintained for the health of natural ecosystems.
Groundwater resources are maintained at optimal levels.
Water Quality a) Investigate and manage the effects of excess drainage water travelling through water supply systems.
b) Manage environmental flow allocations in a way that provides for necessary drying and wet seasonal flushes, as required by dry tropical wetland ecosystems. For example: allocate supplemented water so that it is delivered in a manner that is sustainable to receiving environments.
a) Monitor and maintain groundwater at appropriate baseline depth / level, for sub-artesian areas that are in demand for groundwater resources.
b) Maintain a salt export bore head plan in locations where demand for groundwater resources are high and may impact on neighbouring bores.
c) Investigate groundwater vulnerability to potential pollution when undertaking land use planning and development design.
d) Promote and implement improved water delivery and management techniques in sub-artesian areas, to reduce the impact of changes in groundwater table levels and salinity. For example: using variable flow pumps; irrigating only during required periods, and dewatering.
WATER
Suspended sediment and nutrient loads, pesticide concentrations and other contaminants are managed to meet the WQIP ecologically relevant targets and Reef 2050 Plan targets. a) Coordinate and maintain a network to share information between those involved with researching, monitoring, managing and using water resources, including:
• land holders;
• industry;
• NRM groups;
• researchers; and
• state and local government officers.
b) Support the development of, and promote, innovative technology and methods for improving the quality of water entering and leaving waterways and wetlands.
c) Investigate, trial and implement costeffective best management practices to:
• remediate, control and prevent gully erosion in dry tropical climates in the Bowen catchment; and
• reduce nutrient and pesticide loads from cane lands in the Lower Burdekin catchment.