Linkages with other projects
8.1 Relevant Programs and Engagement
The BBB catchment has received significant extension efforts and the roll-out of projects and programs as part of a decade long engagement effort for water quality improvement and land management practice changes across the Burdekin River basin and GBR catchments more broadly . The following provides an overview of the known incentive support , extension and engagement that has been conducted in the BBB catchment over the last decade .
Incentives and extension The following summary is based on NQ Dry Tropics Sustainable Agriculture Program delivery in the BBB region including :
• 2009-2013 ( Australian Government ) Reef Rescue delivered an extension , training and grants program across the Burdekin through a partnership , to achieve a reduction in nutrient , pesticide and sediment entering the GBR lagoon :
▪ BBB grazing properties that received extension support equaled a total area of 165,320ha .
▪ $ 635,946 invested into on-ground works –– BBB grazier contribution ( 62 %).
• 2013-2016 ( Australian Government Department of Environment ) Reef Programme Water Quality Grants built on the success of the Reef Rescue program achieving a new level of engagement and management practice improvement reducing nutrient , sediment and pesticide leaving Burdekin properties . Included :
▪ BBB grazing properties that received extension support equaled a total area of 142,084ha .
▪ $ 672,384 invested into on-ground works – BBB grazier contribution ( 49 %).
▪ Total of 96,022ha under improved management practices :
▪ 170 ha improved gully management
▪ 93,379 ha improved hillslope management
▪ 2,473 ha improved riparian management
• 2013-2016 ( Department of Natural Resources and Mines ( DNRM ) regional Natural Resource Management ( NRM ) funding ) Building Resilience in the Burdekin Grazing Industry trialed innovative grazing practices to remediate gullies , improve land condition , water resources and environmental assets ( informed Reef Trust IV project ). Included :
▪ Three BBB properties ( 55,000ha ) trialing the Holistic Management approach .
• 2013-2018 ( National Landcare Programme - NLP ) Sustainable Soils for the Burdekin builds and strengthens the understanding of soil health and management , and demonstrates the effects of specific management practices on soil health on demonstrations sites . Includes :
▪ Four BBB properties ( 68,825ha ) receiving robust soil health and landscape function monitoring .
▪ Soil health knowledge building and sharing events .
▪ Peer groups focused on soil health ( Bowen / Collinsville Landcare ).
• 2013-2020 DEHP Grazing Best Management Practice ( BMP ) - Voluntary , industryled benchmarking process which helps graziers to identify improved practices which can help improve the long-term profitability of their enterprise including education and training . Note : this program does not provide incentives as such ( although some government programs may require graziers to participate in BMP before accessing incentives ). Includes :
▪ 36 BBB enterprises completed Grazing BMP self-assessment supported one-onone .
▪ Six BBB enterprises supported to undertake a voluntary audit and become Grazing BMP accredited .
- 71 -