Innovative plan is blueprint for how to safeguard our region’s natural resources.
A newly-released plan identifies collaborative strategies to improve the long-term productivity of the region’s graziers, sugarcane farmers and horticulturalists, while protecting our world-famous wetlands and the Great Barrier Reef.
Officially launched today; the visionary Burdekin Dry Tropics Natural Resource Management (NRM) Plan is the only one of its kind in the region and forms the blueprint for how the community can work together to protect and sustainably manage our natural resources for the next 10 years.
NQ Dry Tropics chairman, Mark Stoneman AM, explained that the document – a comprehensive update of the original NRM Plan from 2005 – was developed over three years under the guidance of a dedicated community group in consultation with landholders, technical experts, landcare groups, government, industry bodies and the wider Burdekin Dry Tropics population.
“This plan belongs to the people of the Burdekin Dry Tropics region, which covers almost 10 per cent of Queensland,” Mr Stoneman said.
“Funded by the Australian Government, it aims to continue the momentum and guide how the region’s natural resources – including the Great Barrier Reef and the internationally-significant Bowling Green National Park wetlands – should be managed and protected.
“Good decisions now will enhance and protect important natural resources like water, soil, native plants and animals, rivers and coasts.
“It is crucial that we sustainably manage these resources so that future generations can swim, dive, fish, keep cattle, grow crops, and continue to enjoy the wonderful lifestyle our region has to offer.”
NQ Dry Tropics strategy and partnerships manager Donna Turner said the plan was an active document that would evolve to accurately reflect the priorities, challenges and opportunities faced by the Burdekin Dry Tropics community.
“This plan will help secure funding for on-ground environmental projects carried out by our farmers, graziers, other landowners and community groups,” Ms Turner said.
“Some of the stewardship strategies outlined in the updated plan include implementing practices that reduce the need for agricultural inputs like nitrogen and pesticides, improving irrigation management and water quality, and tackling pest weeds and animals.”
“We have identified problems and solutions across five main areas, and ways that governments, land managers and the wider community can work together to make sure our natural resources continue to be assets for us all in the future,” Ms Turner said.
View the full Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM Plan 2016-2026 on NQ Dry Tropics’ website at http://nrm.nqdrytropics.com.au/downloadpdf or email info@nqdrytropics.com.au to obtain a hard copy.
Photos:
- Pandanus Palm by Rohan Wilson
- Burdekin River by Geoffrey Collins
- Diane Smallwood at National Tree Planting Day by NQ Dry Tropics
- Leading the Mob by Julie Angus