� In the Lower Burdekin sugarcane area grants , extension and more recently , reverse tenders have been the most commonly applied mechanisms for management practice change . There is a recent positive shift towards more performance-based investment programs in the region .
� Achievement of the Reef 2050 WQIP targets over the next 7 years will require implementation of management practice improvement programs at a larger scale than has occurred previously , and with different levels of extension and incentives than current programs . These must be supported by research and development to investigate innovative practices . From a broader catchment perspective , large scale remediation and landscape restoration projects will also be required , in addition to consideration of land retirement in some locations that are no longer productive .
Part III : Documentation and evaluation of investment in improved irrigation management for water quality improvement in the Lower Burdekin
Overview of investment programs – current and past ( Section 7 )
� Section 7.1 presents an overview of the major programs that have invested in reducing nutrient and pesticide losses from sugarcane and reducing irrigation runoff for water quality benefits in the Lower Burdekin . It is estimated that this investment is in the order of at least $ 51 million ( not including in-kind or co-contributions ) over the last 10 years . For irrigation practices specifically , it is estimated that between 2016 and 2018 approximately $ 6.4 million was allocated in grants supported by approximately $ 10 million of landholder contributions ( 60 per cent of the total project investment ). An additional $ 2.55 million was allocated to contract extension to support the grant program .
� It is recommended that a full evaluation of this information is undertaken by the delivery partners to guide future investment activities in the region in the next 6 months ( reflected in the recommended approach for the proposed Irrigation Extension and Investment Plan in Part I ).
� Several evaluations of the investment programs have been conducted by project partners and independently commissioned program evaluations ( Section 7.3.1 ) and research projects ( Section 7.3.2 ). The findings of these evaluations are incorporated into the primary principles and themes recommended for Irrigation Extension and Investment Plan included above .
� Implementation of broadscale changes in management practices in sugarcane in the Lower Burdekin will require engagement of the existing delivery partners in the region , with a strong foundation for coordination and collaboration ( Section 7.4 ).
� Substantial experience and delivery capacity exists in the region to guide future investment , being careful not to repeat challenges that have prevented progress in the past . It is estimated that approximately 16.4 FTE are currently dedicated to water quality extension activities among the existing delivery partners .
Conclusions
This document provides a useful foundation for the full development of an Irrigation Extension and Investment Plan to guide investment in water quality improvement in the Lower Burdekin sugarcane area . A range of proven management practices are available to support these improvements , and the region maintains substantial delivery capacity to facilitate targeted water quality improvement in the region . The approach of the phased approach to the development of the Irrigation Extension and Investment Plan and foundational nature of this document , recognises the current challenges for managers to obtain relevant documented evidence for making decisions that support water quality outcomes from sugarcane irrigation management in the Lower Burdekin . It also acknowledges the enormous body of work and knowledge that exists in this area and provides the first step in developing a coherent and coordinated Irrigation Extension and Investment Plan . This document has used the consolidated information ( Part II and Part III ) to identify a robust approach for designing a program for future delivery of sugarcane irrigation management in the Lower Burdekin ( Part I ). It is recommended that this work is progressed as a matter of urgency to access funding under current initiatives including the Australian Government ’ s Reef Trust Partnership .
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