Tracking sediment, shaping solutions: graziers in action
Pictured, from left, are: NQ Dry Tropics Program Manager- Sustainable Agriculture Rob Hunt, Associate Director Water Quality- Great Barrier Reef Foundation CJ James, Steering Committee Chair Christian Roth, and Landholders Driving Change panel member Garlone Moulin.
Tracking sediment, shaping solutions: graziers in action
Kirknie Station grazier Glen Rea has been collecting water samples for nearly two decades— and he’ s still just as passionate about it as when he started back in 2005.
What began as an interest in understanding water quality through a partnership with TropWATER has grown into Glen playing a key role in the Landholders Driving Change( LDC) Community Water Quality Monitoring Group. Along with other graziers across nine properties in the Bowen, Broken, Bogie( BBB) catchment, Glen contributes vital data to help scientists better understand sediment runoff and its impact on the Great Barrier Reef.
For Glen, it’ s always been about being part of the solution.
“ Seeing the science up close, like coral core sampling that shows how much sediment has built up over time, has been fascinating,” he said.
“ It’ s helped me understand how sediment moves through the landscape, and how simple strategies like fencing off waterways and keeping good ground cover can make a difference.”
Being able to compare the data from his property with the bigger picture across the Burdekin catchment has also helped Glen fine-tune his land management. He said he appreciated how the scientists involved in the project met graziers where they’ re at.
“ Working with TropWATER has been great. They explain things in plain language, so we can use that information to make better decisions on the ground. It’ s not just data— it’ s knowledge we can act on,” Glen said.
He sees participation in the water quality monitoring group as an important way for graziers to take the lead on sustainable land management practices.
“ By being involved, we’ re showing that the grazing industry is serious about land and water stewardship. We’ re actively helping to shape better outcomes,” he said.
Glen emphasises that erosion in the Burdekin isn’ t as simple as some people might think.
“ Sediment comes from all kinds of erosion, hillslope, streambank, and especially gullies, which are a huge issue here. The LDC project is working on everything from small to large-scale gullies, and we’ re all learning together what works best,” he said.
The group formed in 2018 and has been funded since 2021 through a partnership between the Australian Government’ s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation. It’ s helping bridge the gap between public perception and the reality on the ground.
“ By being part of this group, graziers are contributing to solid science that helps move the conversation away from generalisations. It’ s a real opportunity to lead change and be part of something bigger,” Glen said.
Kirknie Station grazier Glen Rea.
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