• The DAF Grazing BMP and Extension Support Project ( 2011 to present ) funded through DEHP provides enhanced grazing extension officer support to the Burdekin NRM region , and the Grazing BMP Program . The Grazing BMP & Extension Support Project is now in its second phase of Reef Plan funding ( 2014-2017 ). A cost-benefit analysis of the project from 2011 to 2014 showed that the project is worth $ 9.2 million of present value benefits , utilising $ 2.5 million in present value funds , or a net present value benefit of $ 6.7 million . For every dollar spent , $ 3.65 would be expected to be generated in industry benefit . There are further significant public benefits through the reduction of sediment runoff into the GBR as well as training and awareness provided to other government and non-government staff . These benefits are not included in the dollar amount reported , but would significantly increase the benefit-cost ratio if they were to be included .
▪ The Burdekin NRM Region has650 commercial beef herds and 1.6 million head of cattle worth $ 300 million ( ABS , 2008 ). Over four years ( 2011-2015 ), the project has had an impact on 33 % of commercial beef properties , representing 37 % of the catchment area , and 32 % of beef cattle within the catchment .
▪ The independent practice change survey results conducted by this project over 2012-2015 indicates that the producers whom we have worked with have improved aspects of their business at a rate of 78.5 %. Independent Grazing BMP and Extension Services practice change surveys conducted in May 2016 for the Burdekin indicate that 71 % of the producers surveyed had commenced or completed changes to their business .
Key learnings
• A number of key findings from the Reef Programme Final Evaluation Report ( Healy , 2016 ) are detailed below :
▪ Training workshops were highly valued by landholders . Attendees reported that they gained valuable new technical knowledge about using sustainable management practices and are coming to understand sustainability issues and land management from new perspectives .
▪ Data collected throughout the Reef Programme has consistently found positive signs that the combination of training / extension with Reef Water Quality Grants has influenced many landholders ’ knowledge , skills and attitudes around using sustainable management practices .
▪ Most landholders who received training or extension support under the Reef Programme indicated that they adopted new management practices as a result of this support , or they intended to .
▪ More than 50 per cent of landholders completing the review survey ( on completion of Reef Water Quality Grants funded practice changes ) reported that they changed their management practices as a result of receiving training and / or extension support . Almost 80 per cent completing workshop feedback forms indicated they were likely or extremely likely to change their practices following the workshop .
▪ One-on-one extension support may be more effective than group-based training in enabling landholders to adapt and implement sustainable management practices on their own land , and the combination of both methods delivers the best outcomes .
▪ Some training workshops gave attendees quite general information about a particular issue or technology , while tailored extension support enabled landholders to adapt practices to their specific context .
▪ Furthermore , the provision of funding allowed landholders to follow through and implement identified practices . This helped to overcome the barrier of cost , which was identified as a major impediment to practice change .
▪ On balance , the evidence presented indicates that the Reef Programme has made an important contribution to the adoption of sustainable management practices for many of the landholders that it engaged .
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