protection

The Reef Protection Package is regulation instigated by the Queensland Government through theGreat Barrier Reef Protection Amendment Act 2009. The Reef Protection Package is specifically aims reduce the loss of pesticides, nutrients and sediment from agricultural land.

All farmers are subject to guidelines about fertiliser and pesticide use. See www.reefwisefarming.qld.gov.au for more information.

Other regulations govern the pollution load from mining, and urban waste.

16 June 2010

Graziers are still confused about new Queensland Government reef protection legislation.

Over 500 landholders in our region attended information days throughout north Queensland explaining the new environment plans they need to do.

By September this year all graziers on properties over 2,000 hectares in the Burdekin Dry Tropics natural resource management region have to complete an Environment Risk Management Plan.

Over the past number of years, the Lower Burdekin has become a focus for wetland and riparian area protection. NQ Dry Tropics worked in conjunction with WetlandcareAustralia and the Burdekin Shire Council to carry out works in this area – primarily at Sheepstation and Barratta creeks.

Other areas where work was carried out include Plantation, Kalamia and Saltwater Creeks.

The types of work carried out included: weed control, fencing to allow controlled grazing, revegetation, controlled burns and the removal or modification of fish passage barriers.

Improving water quality

There are a number of programs underway that are helping to make changes to the way farms are managed throughout the catchments adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef.

These initiatives are helping to reduce run-off from agricultural land into waterways that flow out into the marine environment.