Reef Rescue

Horticultural growers in the Reef Catchment urged to apply for Reef Rescue project money

Growcom has urged horticulture growers in the Burdekin, Fitzroy, Mackay-Whitsunday, Coastal Burnett and far north Queensland regions to apply for incentives funding to assist in the implementation and adoption of management practices to improve water quality leaving their farms.

Growcom Operations Manager Rachel Mackenzie said that cash incentives were being offered to horticulture growers and other primary producers to implement activities on their farms to improve water quality as part of the federal government’s Reef Rescue program.

“Our work with horticulture growers has found that small incentive payments go a long way in assisting growers to improve their land management and this is the principle on which the Federal Government’s reef rescue package is based,” said Ms Mackenzie.

“Sometimes the only thing people need to make big changes is a bit of support, advice and information on the best approach to take.”

Ms Mackenzie said the first round of federal Reef Rescue funds would be available in January 2009 and would be for works that can be completed by June 2009.

“Reef Rescue funding is intended to continue through until June 2013, so growers are encouraged to plan ahead for the next few years and consider changes across the whole farming system.“

Land managers as individuals or groups are potentially eligible to receive up to 50 per cent of the total cost of implementing improved practices, up to a certain funding limit.”

To receive incentive funding, growers should undertake the Growcom’s FMS water quality risk assessment module with a Growcom extension officer. Growers can then fill in an application form with help from the extension officer. The final approval of the incentives application rests with an assessment panel.  

Some examples of activities that landholders could undertake are: 

• controlled traffic
• inter-row management and soil cover
• contour management
• headland, drain and waterway management 
• integrated pest management
• alternative pest management methods
• improved application technology 
• variable rate application
• fertigation
• organic nutrient sources 
• irrigation system assessments
• irrigation system improvements
• improved irriagtion application
• stormwater structures
• alternative bed mulch

The Reef Rescue program is part of the Caring for Our Country initiative of the federal government which is being rolled out by Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM in the Burdekin, Burnett Mary Regional Group NRM in the coastal Burnett region, Reef Catchments NRM group in Mackay-Whitsundays, Fitzroy Basin Association in the Fitzroy and Terrain NRM in far north Queensland.

Growers interested in being involved or for further information on the types of projects which could be eligible for funding should contact their local Growcom field officer or regional NRM group:

Coastal Burnett - Growcom Farm Management Systems Project Officer Robert Doyle on 07 4153 2555 or rdoyle@growcom.com.au    
www.bmrg.org.au     

Fitzroy - Growcom Regional Networks Coordinator Margie Milgate on 07 3620 3844 or mmilgate@growcom.com.au
www.fba.org.au

Mackay-Whitsunday – Growcom Land and Water Field Officer Anna Geddes on 0417 743 614
http://www.mwnrm.com.au/index.php?p=1_1

Burdekin – Growcom Water for Profit Technical Specialist Egberto Soto on 07 4782 8421 or esoto@growcom.com.au
http://www.burdekindrytropics.org.au/bdtnrm_current_projects/reef-rescue---horticulture.html

FNQ – Growcom Water for Profit Field Officer George Russell on 07 4068 2255 grussell@growcom.com.au
http://www.terrain.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=146&Itemid=144