The Burdekin Landscape Repair project builds on NQ Dry Tropics’ established expertise in grazing management by adopting sustainable grazing practices that have proven effective in the region.
These core practices are designed to improve land health, control erosion, and reduce sediment runoff, contributing to the sustainability of local agriculture.
By leveraging NQ Dry Tropics’ ongoing efforts, the project promotes erosion control and soil stability, helping to create more resilient grazing and landscape repair.
This integration of tested strategies is aimed at fostering sustainable agriculture while supporting the broader environmental goal of protecting local waterways and the Great Barrier Reef.
Graziers will access land management technical support, education, knowledge and on-ground learning opportunities to facilitate landscape repair.
There is a strong focus on peer-to-peer learning, cluster groups, and one-on-one advice to deliver accelerated progress in improving a productive, profitable, and sustainable grazing community.
In time, this will lead to landholders’ everyday decisions having positive downstream effects on the quality of water flowing into the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.
Activities will focus on:
- keeping topsoil on the land;
- improving groundcover;
- constructing small-scale erosion-control structures and addressing eroded areas; and
- fine-tuning grazing management practices to make the land more resilient and productive.
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SOME EXAMPLES OF PREVIOUS WORK
EVENTS and TRAINING
Regenerative grazing
Alejandro Carrillo a fourth-generation grazier in the Chihuahuan Desert, Mexico explains sustainable grazing practices during a two-day workshop at Collinsville, and how these principles can be applied in the Burdekin region.
Neighbour days
Grazing consultant Dick Richardson from Grazing Naturally met with groups of neighbouring graziers keen to discuss and dissect sustainable grazing practices and approaches to help improve soil health, pasture performance and herd productivity.
Erosion control (whoa boys)
Burdekin graziers are learning erosion control on roads and tracks to manage runoff. Roads on grazing properties are susceptible to erosion because they collect runoff from overland flow, as well as from rain, producing runoff much faster than in the surrounding landscape.
FINE-TUNING GRAZING PRACTICES FOR LANDSCAPE REPAIR
Building resilience
John and Bree Skinner, of White Kangaroo Station, near Bowen, planned to regenerate their 5500 hectare property to increase sustainable beef production and reduce exposure to drought and variable seasons.
Mapping and planning
Kevin and Deila Herrod wrested control of the grazing pressure on their property Mount Cooper Station by mapping, planning and developing infrastructure to support their management.
Fencing for riparian health
Brad and Rosie Howe installed riparian and internal fencing and watering points to help improve pasture productivity through grazing practices, to protect riparian areas and realise landscape repair.
SMALL-SCALE EROSION TACKLED
Strength in numbers
The Scottville Mob was a cluster of six neighbouring cattle properties around Scottville, near Collinsville. They banded together to address erosion issues on all their properties because they realised that together they could achieve so much more than individually.
Healing Country team
NQ Dry Tropics’ Healing Country team helped landholders tackle small-scale erosion before it develops into a bigger problem. The team uses non-mechanical methods, like leaky weirs, where fragile soils mean machines aren’t the best option.
Erosion control (whoa boys)
Erosion-prone soils are a significant contributor of sediment in waterways and that makes it a priority for Matthew Crowley on his Charters Towers property. He’s keen to find cost-effective ways to control erosion he can install and maintain with his own machinery.
