2 Sept 2015
Innovative irrigation and drainage practices, and the sustainable use of liquid effluent were just some of the project success stories honoured last night at the Australian Government Reef Programme Awards held in Caloundra.
The awards evening was part of the Reef Range and Red Dust Conference and was the first time that Queensland Water and Land Carers, the Regional NRM Groups and Queensland Coastal Society have combined to offer a joint conference, and the Queensland Landcare Awards and the Australian Government Reef Programme Awards.
The Reef Programme awards recognise the work of primary producers to reduce their off-farm impact on the iconic Great Barrier Reef, and are an initiative of the Reef Alliance partnership including Queensland Farmers’ Federation, Queensland Regional Groups Collective, peak agricultural industry bodies, regional natural resource management groups and the conservation sector.
Queensland Farmers’ Federation President Joanne Grainger said the Awards were an opportunity to highlight the role farmer’s play in land stewardship, and another way to showcase the collaborative nature of the Australian Government Reef Programme.
“The Australian Government Reef Programme is successful because it works for mutually beneficial outcomes for both farms and the environment. There have been many worthwhile projects undertaken, and these awards allow us to showcase some of the great achievements,” Ms Grainger said.
This year’s winners are:
Horticulture category: Craig and Jade Buchanan, Innisfail
Sugarcane category: Hill End Farms Pty Ltd, Bundaberg
Grains category: Royce Staier, Clermont
Grazing category: Shane and Amanda Watts, Collinsville
Dairy category: Dennis Byrnes, Yungaburra
Cane category winner Hill End Farms developed a Farm Risk Assessment Plan in 2010 after considering the potential impact their operation was having on water quality. After a five year pathway to improvement, this change in practice has seen nutrients retained within the rooting zone. In addition, the lack of runoff has significantly lessened the potential for sediment, nutrients and other farm inputs escaping the property and impacting the Reef.
Dairy category winner Dennis Byrnes has connected liquid effluent to a solid set irrigation system and travelling irrigator. This sustainable use of liquid effluent across the farm has reduced reliance on fertilizers , in turn reducing costs significantly and greatly lessening the risk of nutrient rich water entering the local water way.
“The broad range of excellent projects nominated for these awards is a testament to the widespread practice change and innovation taking place in reef catchment areas,” Ms Grainger said.
“People are voluntarily working to reduce the runoff of nutrients, chemicals and sediment from their land so that we can protect the reef for future generations.”
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