Irrigation improvement funding to support cane growers and the reef 

Burdekin cane growers can apply for support worth up to $20,000 to improve irrigation practices and profitability while preventing valuable water and nutrients leaving their farms and entering the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon.

The opportunity is part of the Reef Alliance Growing a Great Barrier Reef project, funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.

This funding round aims to build on the success of previous Reef Alliance Growing a Great Barrier Reef project extension plans and grants in the Burdekin region, which over the past three years saw 313 growers working to improve on-farm irrigation efficiency.

NQ Dry Tropics Sugarcane Team Leader, Luke Malan, said that this was a great opportunity for growers to assess the effectiveness of their farm irrigation system and make changes to improve profitability and water quality leaving the farm.

“This project will encourage cane growers to access support, tools and incentives to improve irrigation practices. Growers design their own projects and, if successful, are offered incentive funding towards the cost of implementation,” Mr Malan said.

“Interested growers are invited to submit an expression of interest by 3pm on 31 July 2019 to be eligible. Funds will be allocated to successful applicants offering the best value-for-money and water quality outcomes,” he said.

NQ Dry Tropics' Luke Malan.