NRM PLANNING

Natural Resource Management (NRM) planning is critical to determining priority actions and how best to deliver them.

Take me to the projects!

Better planning equals better delivery

Smart planning, based on collaboration, latest research, and Indigenous, industry and community knowledge and perspectives, is key to effective natural resource management.

NQ Dry Tropics takes a practical, collaborative approach to leading and participating in NRM planning, to determine priority actions and how best to achieve them.

We do this in partnership with industry, Traditional Owners, government, community groups, and researchers, ensuring regional community priorities are captured, and cultural knowledge is respected and integrated.


Getting stuck into the planning process are, from left: Michael Penna, AgForce, Jane Waterhouse, Senior Scientist, C20 Consulting, Karen Vidler, NQ Dry Tropics' Partnerships Coordinator, and Garlone Moulin, grazier, Mt Pleasant Station.

Why natural resource management planning matters

  • NRM planning is essential for the long-term sustainability of North Queensland’s land and water assets, ensuring decisions are based on good science and local knowledge.
  • Effective planning helps guide investment where it’s needed most, supporting practical, on-ground actions that improve soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and community resilience.
  • Strategic planning brings partners together — Traditional Owners, land managers, industry, scientists and government — to set shared priorities and coordinate effort across the region.
  • Planning helps the region prepare for changing conditions, including climate impacts, severe weather, drought, and shifting economic pressures on agriculture and communities.
  • Long-term planning ensures natural resources are managed sustainably, balancing productive use of the landscape with the need to protect ecosystems like the Great Barrier Reef, wetlands, and savanna country.
  • Clear plans help turn vision into action, providing a roadmap for monitoring progress, measuring outcomes, and adapting approaches as new challenges and opportunities emerge.
Capturing First Nations perspectives during planning is critical to ensuring traditional knowledge is incorporated into on-ground activities. Pictured are, from left: Eddie Smallwood, Trevor Robinson and Karen Vidler.

Major plans guiding our work

Our efforts in the Burdekin Dry Tropics are shaped by several key plans.

Burdekin Dry Tropics
NRM Plan

This high-level strategy sets out how we can manage environmental challenges while supporting productive, sustainable land use.

It brings together governments, land managers, and the community to make the most of our shared natural resources.

NQ Dry Tropics led development of this plan, which belongs to the communities of the Burdekin Dry Tropics.

Click on the cover to read it online or download the PDF.

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

Our RAP outlines practical steps to build stronger relationships with Traditional Owners and the broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, embedding respect and collaboration in our work.

Click to read or download the RAP

Regional Pest Management Strategy

This strategy coordinates efforts to control invasive species and reduce their impact on the environment, agriculture, and biodiversity.

It was developed by NQ Dry Tropics, with support from the Burdekin Regional Pest Management Group.

Click to read or download the Strategy

Burdekin Water Quality Improvement Plan

This plan guides decisions and investments to improve water quality, protect the Great Barrier Reef, and support the health of connected ecosystems.

Click to download the Water Quality Improvement Plan

Partnership is the key

For more than 20 years, NQ Dry Tropics has nurtured strong cross-sector partnerships with landholders, Traditional Owners, community groups, industry, scientists, and all levels of government.

Their knowledge, experience and perspectives help shape our projects to deliver lasting benefits for landscapes, livelihoods and communities.

Many of our staff members contribute their time and effort to initiatives led by other groups that share our vision of healthy landscapes and thriving communities in the Burdekin Dry Tropics. 

Together, we advocate for the region, and share resources and expertise to tackle often complex environmental challenges.


NQ Dry Tropics facilitates the Burdekin Dry Tropics Regional Pest Management Group.

This year we led, or were represented on several multi-organisation groups.

Led or facilitated:

Burdekin Dry Tropics Traditional Owner Management Group; Bowling Green Bay Ramsar Management Advisory Group; Burdekin Dry Tropics Regional Pest Management Group; Lower Burdekin Wetlands Subcommittee.

Represented:

Burdekin Basin Water Plan Review Working Group; Burdekin Falls Dam Community Reference Group; Burdekin Regional Water Assessment Group; Burdekin Water Futures Group; Great Barrier Reef Wetlands Network; Healthy Waters Partnership for the Dry Tropics; Lower Burdekin Rising Groundwater Working Group; Mackay Whitsunday Isaac Healthy Rivers to Reef Partnership; Natural Resource Management Regions Queensland; Natural Resource Management Regions Australia; Queensland Wetlands Governance Group; TNQ Drought Hub Steering Committee.


Field trip to Cromarty Wetlands and Billabong Sanctuary to mark the release of the NRM Plan Status Report. From left: Dr Greg Calvert (Environmental Consultant and scientist), Dr Jules Funnell (NQ Dry Tropics' MERI Coordinator), Greg Watson (Burdekin Canegrowers).

More about water quality planning

Longstanding partnership

For more than 20 years, NQ Dry Tropics and JCU’s TropWATER (Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research) have collaborated to protect and restore...Read More

Water workshop well supported

A workshop focused on improving water quality in the Burdekin Dry Tropics region attracted more than 30 stakeholders, representing a wide range of industries and...Read More

TropWATER went on a BBB road trip

The Landholders Driving Change (LDC) Community Water Quality Monitoring Group has been active for six wet seasons, since 2018.  Nine properties in the Bowen-Bogie-Broken catchments...Read More

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