11 Attachment 3 : Summary of program evaluations for Reef Rescue ( 2008-2013 ) and Reef Programme ( 2014-2016 )
Reef Rescue 2008 – 2013 NQ Dry Tropics
NQ Dry Tropics prepared a final report on activities undertaken under the Reef Rescue program 2008 to 2013 ( NQ Dry Tropics , 2014 ). The key outcomes of this funding relevant to this report are listed below .
Overall achievements
� Partnerships with industry were instrumental in ensuring a high level of involvement from farmers in water quality improvement programs . A robust program of activities was developed to invest funds in grants and associated activities in the region over the previous five years through strong partnerships with industry groups .
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Engagement of the sugarcane industry resulted in 276 farmers managing 265,041 ha engaged in improved practice changes , involving 615 projects supporting new management practices implemented over an area of 275,415 ha ( exceeding the program targets ). Uptake increased annually over the 5 year period . This equates to 42 per cent of sugarcane growers in the Burdekin region engaged in management practice changes to improve the quality of water leaving their properties . More specifically , sugarcane management practice changes included :
- 159,452 ha under improved nutrient management practices - 79,759 ha under improved soil management practices - 76,103 ha under improved pesticide management practices - 9,160 ha under improved irrigation practices Sugarcane farmers who received grants contributed $ 1.24 for every dollar received from Reef Rescue funding .
Four key areas indicated high potential for continued change and confirmation that water quality improvement actions affected attitudes to environmentally sound production :
- Involvement of farmers in planning activities to improve water quality on their properties built their confidence to undertake further works ;
- Training and dissemination of information related to improving water quality gave farmers tools and knowledge to make decisions about modifications ranging from small incremental shifts to whole-ofsystem changes to improve water quality on their properties ;
- As farmers implement changes through grant projects , economic benefits of improved practices were also experienced , which financed and supported a business case for further changes ; - Farmers bought forward management practice changes as a result of financial support ( through grants ) reducing significant capital costs associated with making the change ; and - Farmers were “ looking over the fence ” at projects completed by neighbours and registering interest in taking advantage of an opportunity to change their practices .
Extension and training
� Training and extension needs in the Burdekin sugar industry were identified primarily through one-onone farm visits and shed meetings . Good relationships with industry bodies , such as the four Burdekin groups of Canegrowers , Burdekin Productivity Services , and local agribusinesses have been critical to engagement of sugar growers in this region .
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Strong working relationships between NQ Dry Tropics and CSIRO , QDAFF , and local NRM group BBIFMAC contributed to a positive change in farmer attitudes during the program . Training was delivered flexibly using various methods to maximise interest and uptake .
A total of 553 sugarcane farmers attended training to improve skills knowledge and understanding to decrease nutrient runoff ( 339 farmers ) and / or pesticide runoff ( 214 farmers ). The aim of the training activities was to assist producers to apply principles of best practice in a way that is relevant to their business .
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