Project purpose
This project aims to improve waterway/wetland health and reduce soil loss to downstream freshwater and marine environments by improving land managers skills and knowledge in native vegetation and soil erosion management.
Project description
This project will enable two thirds of grazing properties in the Joint Management Area (JMA; Palmer River and northern side of the Mitchell River) to improve native vegetation and soil erosion management to significantly reduce sediment loss from grazing lands. 16 of the 21 major grazing properties in the JMA will be targeted through a delivery partnership between Northern Gulf NRM and Cape York NRM.
Over four years, the project will implement Property Specific Grazing Action Plans. These plans will be based on the Water Quality Stewardship (ABCD) Framework and grazing implementation strategies developed through previous Queensland government investments.
These same methodologies are utilised to deliver reef water quality outcomes in Eastern Cape York and provide a strategic framework for prioritising extension, training and on ground works to achieve measurable resource condition improvements.
A minimum of eight properties are to be engaged in the first year 2018/19. Four properties will be added in the second and third years for a total of 16 properties engaged by 2020. By June 30, 2022, 16 graziers will have implemented improved native vegetation and erosion management practices over 800,000 ha in the Joint Management Area.
Project objectives
- Measurable change in the management and condition of natural resources focusing on priorities of land, water, people and communities, and science and knowledge.
- Work with landholders to improve native vegetation and soil erosion management to significantly reduce sediment loss from grazing lands
- Improved soil stability, native vegetation condition and water quality on 16 properties (800,000ha) of grazing lands within the Mitchell River catchment
- Land managers in the Mitchell River Catchment have improved capacity and skills to manage native vegetation and soil erosion
- Land managers in the Mitchell River Catchment have improved awareness and understanding of NRM best management practices
- More effective partnerships and knowledge shared between/with community groups within the Mitchell River Catchment will remove barriers to engagement of grazing land managers
- Targeted areas in riparian zones in 4 properties are weed-free
- Riparian condition improved within 16 properties
- Water quality improved within the Mitchell Catchment
Key Messages
Cape York NRM and Northern Gulf RMG jointly manage the natural resources of the Palmer River and northern side of the Mitchell River. This area is known as the Joint Management Area, or JMA.
This project will enable two thirds of grazing properties in the Joint Management Area to improve native vegetation and soil erosion management to significantly reduce sediment loss from grazing lands.
16 of the 21 major grazing properties in the JMA will be targeted through a delivery partnership between Northern Gulf NRM and Cape York NRM.
Over four years, the project will implement Property Specific Grazing Action Plans. These plans will be based on the Water Quality Stewardship (ABCD) Framework and grazing implementation strategies developed through previous Queensland government investments.
Cape York NRM and Northern Gulf RMG will work with minimum of eight properties in the first year 2018/19.
Four properties will be added in the second and third years, with a total of 16 properties engaged by 2020.
By June 30, 2022, 16 graziers will have implemented improved native vegetation and erosion management practices over 800,000 ha in the Joint Management Area.
