Queensland Government: Fitzroy graziers reduce sediment run-off to the Reef thanks to GRASS

A projected 9,280 tonnes of sediment is being prevented from reaching the Great Barrier Reef each year thanks to the efforts of Fitzroy graziers and the Queensland Government’s Grazing Resilience and Sustainable Solutions (GRASS) program.

GRASS is funded through the Queensland Reef Water Quality Program and delivered by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Fitzroy Basin Association, Burnett Mary Regional Group, and NQ Dry Tropics.

Phase one of GRASS which included an investment of $6.8 million worked with graziers across the Fitzroy, Burdekin and Burnett Mary regions to improve land condition.

Tailor-made action plans for land management were developed to assist graziers to enhance production, provide business benefits, achieve environmental outcomes and to meet the Reef protection regulations.

Over three years, 222 action plans for land management (APLM) were developed covering 878,001 hectares of grazing land in the Fitzroy region. Almost a third of the businesses that completed an APLM went on to receive incentive funding to carry out on-ground works identified in the plan. Sixty-seven incentive projects were undertaken across the Fitzroy with on-ground works including remediating gullies, erecting fences and installing new infrastructure such as watering points.

Phase two is now underway and will operate until 2026. If you would like to find out more or become involved, visit GRASS or contact the Fitzroy Basin Association.

The Queensland Government’s $289.6 million Queensland Reef Water Quality Program is managed by the Department of Environment,
Science and Innovation and funds a range of projects working with industry, producers, communities and Traditional Owners across the Great Barrier Reef, including the Fitzroy region.