NEWS / BLOG

Queensland Government: Investing in the Fitzroy for better Reef water quality The Fitzroy Basin is the second largest basin in Australia and a priority region for managing the quality of water flowing to the Great Barrier Reef. The Queensland Government’s $270.1 million Queensland Reef Water Quality Program funds a range of projects working with industry, agricultural producers  and communities across the six Reef regions, including the Fitzroy region. Each year, $1.25 million is invested to support the five regional report card partnerships in the Great Barrier Reef catchment, including $140,000 for the Fitzroy Partnership for River Health. The Queensland Government’s Reef Assist program is providing funding towards on-ground restoration projects with employment and training outcomes for  participants. The Woorabinda Healing Country and Gully Remediation Program is a $1.39 million Reef Assist 2.0 project being led by Greening Australia. The two-year  project focuses on reducing sediment run-off by stabilising eroding gullies and streambanks across Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council land and Woorabinda  Pastoral Company land. It is providing valuable opportunities for First Nations people to develop skills and work on Country. The Woorabinda project is one of 11 projects funded across the entire Great Barrier Reef catchment under the second phase [...]

Central Highlands Regional Council: Sustained by the mighty Nogoa Sustained by the mighty Nogoa River system and often dominated by droughts and flooding rains, the Central Highlands region is an integral part of the Fitzroy Basin. For Central Highlands Regional Council, water management is one of its key strategic priorities. In early 2023, much-needed work at the Dingo and Duaringa water treatment plants began with the design phase. Construction began in May with an estimated completion by end 2023. Both plants will have an ultrafiltration unit installed, refurbished clarifiers, new chemical storage and dosing facilities as well as new amenities and offices. Duaringa will gain two additional treated water storages, and the elevated tower will be removed in Dingo, and a new pump station installed. The approximate amount of these updates is just over $5 million. “These upgrades are very important to the livelihood of our residents in Dingo and Duaringa. Duaringa will have larger, more reliable storage and Dingo residents will notice better water pressure,” General Manager Infrastructure & Utilities Jason Hoolihan explained. “With consistent servicing and maintenance which council is committed to, these new upgrades will last up to 15 years,” Mr Hoolihan said. “The second phase [...]

FBA: CQ graziers create healthy wetlands Nankin Wetlands are located just outside of Rockhampton. They are part of the Fitzroy Delta and listed as a Nationally Important Wetland in Australia. The Nankin wetlands are unique as they are located on a grazing property called Broadmeadows, owned by Robert and Michele Lang. The property covers 984 hectares and is largely marine plain with grass sedge wetland country. CQ’s Natural Resource Management organisation, Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) has worked closely with Robert and Michele to improve the property to allow for sustainable grazing alongside functioning wetlands. Robert Lang is passionate about having the two co-exist successfully. “We have so many native animals and birds out here, local birdwatchers can name about 118 species of birds on these wetlands”, said Robert. Water-spreading banks were constructed in 2017 and 2018 and additional banks were constructed in 2021 to reduce water run-off, erosion and scalding by slowing water flow across the property and improving ground cover. By slowing the water run-off, the banks are also stopping the movement of sediment and allowing better water infiltration in the salt-affected areas. Satellite imagery of the property was captured in May 2021 before the construction of [...]

Cotton Australia: Water stewardship and sustainable cotton production in the Fitzroy Basin Since becoming the first Australian agricultural industry to independently assess its environmental impacts in 1991, the Australian cotton industry has been quietly improving its sustainability. Managing sustainability, like growing cotton, is a complex process. The Australian cotton industry has a sustainability framework called PLANET. PEOPLE. PADDOCK. which coordinates a whole-of-industry approach to managing the environmental, social and economic factors most important to its stakeholders. One of the environmental topics managed by the industry is water use. The industry’s water goal matches the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: to significantly increase water use efficiency over time, within sustainable river and ground water system withdrawal limits. Here, Emerald cotton grower Graham Volck describes how he manages water quality and water efficiency on his farm. The 4 key cotton farming parameters influencing farm water quality are shown in Figure 1. Irrigation efficiency All irrigation water leaving fields is captured in water storages and re-used. Rain events of 25mm or less are similarly captured. This attribute of farm design recognises the value of water and significantly reduces the opportunity for environmental harm. Maintaining good water quality in farm storages reduces the risk of environmental impacts if water [...]

FBA: Lower Fitzroy streambank stabilisation project Watching his property slowly be claimed by the river was the upsetting reality for Bill Kirkwood, property owner at Yaamba, north of Rockhampton. With 180m of land lost, and 515,000 tonnes of sediment washed down the river, it was no small victory for Bill, Fitzroy Basin Association (FBA) and the Reef getting this loss under control. By stabilising the riverbank on this property, Bill has created a better local ecosystem for stock and native animals; plus has left the land in better condition for the new property owners Grant and Rebecca Cassidy.  The future of the Reef is looking dramatically less murky with an estimated 23,000 tonnes of fine sediment saved from entering the Fitzroy River every year. When sediment enters the Reef it creates turbidity which leads to reduced light for seagrasses and coral which can reduce their growth and affect their reproduction and early development along with creating other implications. Daniel Boshoff, FBA’s NRM Manager worked closely on this project and noted that, “everyone has a role to play in protecting the Reef. Land managers who reduce sediment run-off to improve waterway and reef health are helping to create long [...]

Glencore: Water management systems and initiatives at Glencore Coal's Clermont Mine In 2021, after years of persistent dry conditions and minimal rainfall, many mining operations and landowners in the Fitzroy Basin were facing the reality of a water shortage. Glencore Coal’s Clermont Mine, situated within the Wolfang Creek catchment and forming part of the Nogoa River catchment, was one of several operations adversely impacted by drought. All of Glencore’s operations have comprehensive water management strategies in place to manage droughts and floods. The strategies ensure that Glencore: Operates in accordance with their environmental authorities Minimises impacts on local waterways and groundwater systems Uses water efficiently Protects mining operations from flooding Plans for and provides sufficient water infrastructure to support mining. In the case of Clermont Mine, prolonged dry conditions posed a threat to the site’s water supply. Clermont Mine has a single open cut pit and one main water storage dam. The site has no external water supply. In 2021 the site initiated their Water Reduction Task Force, bringing together team members from a cross-section of the mining operation. The Task Force commenced monitoring and tracking daily water usage to evaluate the risk of [...]