Landscape repair funding, Proserpine project update and more...
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News, updates, and events from the CaneRise website
March 2025 | Newsletter No.9
Funding
Landscape Repair Program
Reef Catchments has received funding to repair streambank erosion on agricultural land and reduce the sediment transported to the Great Barrier Reef.
The Mackay Whitsunday Regional Landscape Repair Program aims to deliver a significant body of work over the next five years to restore eroding streambanks. The program will utilise proven approaches to improve streambank stability and build resilience into the landscape, preventing the loss of riparian land during future flood events.
Running until June 2030, the project will reduce an estimated 18,000 tonnes of fine sediment from being lost annually while building the regions capability, capacity and knowledge on streambank repair and riparian management.
For more information please see the flyer via the button below or visit the Reef Catchments Waterways team web page which highlights the program.
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Proserpine Integrated Project
Reef Catchments has received funding to deliver a Proserpine Integrated Project. Integrated or ‘Place Based’ projects work across multiple industries and land-uses to maximise outcomes and identify synergies.
The project, which will run until March 2027 aims to achieve water quality outcomes working across local industries including sugar, aquaculture and grazing.
Currently, Reef Catchments is finalising the project details and plan to start the role out of the project in April. Keep an eye on CaneRise for more details or Contact Reef Catchments.
Improving water quality is not just an agricultural issue – urban and non-agricultural land use also has a role to play
Did you know that urban areas cover less than one per cent of the Great Barrier Reef catchment? However, these areas contribute up to seven per cent of the dissolved inorganic nitrogen entering the Reef and around two per cent of the sediment that flows to the Reef.
While there are regulations covering agricultural land in Reef catchments, similar regulations exist to manage the urban and non-agricultural areas to improve the quality of water running off these areas and flowing to the GBR.
Urban run-off is a shared responsibility between the state and local governments which is supported by various peak bodies and organisations. The regulations cover local governments responsibilities in managing stormwater discharge and wastewater treatment and industries such as the construction industry and aquaculture industry.
To find out more about what is being done to improve the quality of water running off urban and non-agricultural land use, click the button below.
Events and Activities
Mackay Whitsunday P2R Regional Integrated Science Forum
Date: Thursday 1st May
Time: 8.30am registration and coffee for a 9am start- 4pm finish Location: Magpies Sporting Club Glenella
The Paddock to Reef Regional Integrated Science Forum is held annually to give an overview of the Paddock to Reef program and share the latest water quality results and information from the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region.
The Forum features presentations from scientists about the latest results from water quality monitoring and modelling, and presentations from local industry bodies and growers about on-farm projects to improve water quality. Everyone is welcome to attend the Paddock to Reef Forum, including landholders, extension staff, industry bodies, community groups and local government.
Free Tools and Helpful Resources
JCU Water Quality Science - Frequently Asked Questions
James Cook University’s Centre for Tropical Water and Aquatic Ecosystem Research (TropWater) has developed a FAQ factsheet about farming and water quality.
The factsheet aims to provide answers to common questions about pesticides and fertilisers with links provided to access more information.
Have you got a water quality question you would like answered? Head to the ‘Contact Us’ page on the CaneRise Website and let us know your question.
The Pesticide Projector – A new tool to help inform decisions
The Pesticide Projector is a new tool which provides information to help users select pesticides active ingredients which are less harmful to plants and animals in waterways.
The tool uses known data about the pesticide active ingredient relating to mobility, persistence and toxicity, together with the application rate to calculate a aquatic risk score.
The Pesticide Projector has been developed for anyone involved in the recommendation, purchase or application of pesticides. Currently the tool is most comprehensive for use in sugarcane and crops grown in rotation with sugarcane.
To find out more and how the tool works including a number of tutorial videos visit the website.
Thanks for your interest in CaneRise and for contributing to the Mackay Whitsunday region through sustainable practices. If there is something you’d like to see or share in an upcoming newsletter, please get get in touch!
CaneRise is supported by organisations in the Mackay Whitsunday region that are working in partnership to improve outcomes for cane farmers and the environment.
CaneRise is funded through the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program to help cane growers implement practices that improve their cane, soil and water quality in Reef catchment areas. CaneRise was originally created as part of a project funded by the partnership between the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation.
