Expression of Interest for a Reef Program Project
Reef Program, Grazing Lands (formerly known as Reef Rescue #2)
Graziers within the Mary River catchment can now access a new round of Reef Program (Reef Rescue #2) funding. The Burnett-Mary Reef Partnership Program, which MRCCC is a partner, successfully accessed 3 years of funding from the Reef Program commencing in 2014. The Reef Program is funded by the Australian & Queensland Government. The Burnett Mary Reef Partnership Program is a consortium comprised of MRCCC, BMRG, Burnett Catchment Care Association, Qld Dairy Organisation, Maryborough, Isis & Bundaberg Canegrowers. These partners successfully delivered the initial Reef Rescue program between 2010 and 2013.
Investment from the Australian & Queensland Government‘s Reef Program #2 will provide local graziers with advice and financial support to implement eligible on-ground projects that can demonstrate improved land management practices, enterprise sustainability and contribute to Reef Rescue water quality outcomes.
A significant focus of the project is to provide financial incentives to shift cattle camps adjacent to riparian zones to appropriate sites higher in the landscape. This is achieved on the ground through strategic stock water management by locating troughs and tanks high in the landscape, thus creating new watering points and cattle camps away from riparian zones. In doing so, the accumulated manure from the new cattle camp is filtered through pasture before reaching the riparian zone.
Graziers in the Mary Catchment interested in the Reef Program should download and complete a Reef Program Expression of Interest, then mail or email it to Brad Wedlock at the MRCCC care of PO Box 1027, Gympie, 4570 or email admin@mrccc.org.au