MARY RIVER CATCHMENT TO BENEFIT FROM NATURAL RESOURCE FUNDING

Local group Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee has secured more than $260,000 of Palaszczuk Government funding to improve the land and vegetation in the Mary River catchment.

Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton said tapping into local knowledge had proven to deliver the best results for Queensland’s natural resources and our great regional lifestyle.

“The condition of our soil and our native vegetation is important for our state’s food and fibre, resources and tourism industries and the good jobs they generate,” he said.

“Investing in practices such as reducing over-grazing and boosting native vegetation, helps to improve sustainable economic productivity and supports good local jobs.

“I congratulate the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee on securing this funding, which will ensure our landholders can take advantage of sustainable agricultural practices.”

Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee project officer Brad Wedlock said the funding provided much needed targeted support to address ongoing challenges for landholders in the Mary River catchment.

“We want to engage with quite a diverse group of grazing landholders and, with that, build their awareness and their capacity to understand the challenges they’ve got and also address these challenges,” Mr Wedlock said.

“The Munna Creek catchment is the biggest catchment in the Mary River and is one the biggest contributor of fine sediment to the Great Sandy Strait and the Great Barrier Reef so we have been engaging with landholders to make sure they were on the front foot.

“We are also working with landholders who are changing their practices from cane farming to cattle grazing, which gives us the opportunity to ensure they are using the best practices right from the beginning.

“A big part of their work is improving land holders’ knowledge of more innovative and sustainable land management practices so they can continue to create good jobs and economic benefit for their communities.”

Resources Minister Scott Stewart announced the funding as part of more than $11 million in State funds for projects to improve soils and farming practices and build up native vegetation from the Gulf to Goondiwindi.