The Fencing Northern Basin Riverbanks rollout has been confirmed, with the project set to be completed by mid-2023.
The program will support landholders to construct 510 kilometers of riverbank fencing in the Murray-Darling Basin area, including the Maranoa region.
Advertisement
The Australian Government has committed a $917,000 initial instalment towards the program which will deliver more than 40 kilometers of fencing contracts between landholders and community owned organisation, Southern Queensland Landscapes.
According to Minister for Water Keith Pitt, the $15 million dollar program will fund approximately 1000 kilometers of riverbank fencing across Queensland and New South Wales.
"The aim is to improve water quality, keep farm animals safe and sustain native fish populations by building appropriate fences along riverbanks," he said.
The program is already proving popular with landholders, as the 30 kilometers of fencing contracts expected by Southern Queensland Landscapes in August has now expanded to 160 kilometers as of the beginning of November, according to Queensland Minister for Water Glenn Butcher.
Also read: UQ researchers drill down on mimosa bush
Also read: Wet weather returns from Sunday
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia and Member for Maranoa David Littleproud has encouraged landholders to participate in the program for the benefit of communities and agriculture in the Maranoa region.
"Better fences help control livestock access to environmentally sensitive waterways," he said,
"Landholders benefit because their animals are safer, and the environment benefits too because appropriate fencing protects valuable riverbanks, ecological and cultural sites and improves native fish habitat."
For those wanting to participate in the program, applications for river and creek fencing projects are available on the Southern Queensland Landscapes website.
Want daily news highlights delivered to your inbox? Sign up to the Queensland Country Life newsletter below
