It would be fair to say that most Australians share a vision for the Reef in 2050 – that it continues to improve, it remains a natural wonder for successive generations and that there are prosperous, viable farmers producing clean, green and high quality products for domestic and international consumers.
Since 2008, agricultural industry groups, Natural Resource Management (NRM) Regional Groups and farmers have been delivering the Australian Government’s Reef Program (formerly Reef Rescue). The innovative program integrates incentives and agricultural extension to improve the adoption of agricultural practices that deliver water quality benefits in the Great Barrier Reef lagoon catchments.
Over the last three years under the Reef Program more than 7000 farmers have been involved in activities to increase their knowledge about new technologies and improvements to their farming systems. The majority of this knowledge has incorporated actions that have not only improved the quality of water leaving the property, but also provided possibilities for long term farm productivity gains.
Nearly 2000 farmers changed their management practices in priority areas covering more than 1.33 million hectares. Practice change activities have been aligned with industry led Best Management Practice (BMP) programs, and have included improvements such as moving to more efficient irrigation systems, increasing groundcover, adopting precision agriculture, improving fertiliser application and restoring eroded gullies.
Participating farmers have contributed $1.55 for every $1 the Australian Government invested in that change of practice. Over 1000 sugarcane farmers invested more than $20 million to make improvements that help to reduce nutrient and pesticide runoff. 620 graziers invested over $10.5 million to improve their land management practices and reduce sediment export across nearly one million hectares.
The impact of the Reef Program cannot be understated, particularly considering the challenges experienced by farmers during those three years. During this period, many parts of the Reef catchments were drought declared for up to two years and Cyclone Marcia came through the Fitzroy in 2015, substantially impacting farm productivity.
The Reef Program water quality grants have now ceased. However, the Australian Government continues to invest in land management practice improvements to realise water quality improvement through its Reef Trust Program. The collaboration of industry, NRM Regional Groups and farmers continues through the Reef Alliance: Growing a Great Barrier Reef Program.
Good news about the Reef is often under reported, making it difficult for farmers to showcase their efforts to protect this living treasure. The results from the Reef Program demonstrate that farmers are serious about the Reef. Farmers play an essential part in securing its long-term survival. They will continue to contribute to the prosperity of their industries and communities, while ensuring improved water quality leaving the farm to improve Reef water quality outcomes.
The Queensland Farmers Federation (QFF) is committed to its role in the facilitating the Reef Alliance partnership in bringing together industry and NRM groups to work collectively and share data and experiences. We will continue to work with all members to deliver upon community, government and international expectations to ensure the co-existence of both the GBR and our agricultural sector in Queensland.