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 [...]