Sweetwater Fishing Forums
General Category => News Views & Press Releases => Topic started by: Editor on September 21, 2012, 08:19:45 PM
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The right tool for the job - helping landholders improve water quality
News release | 20 September, 2012 - Qld Fisheries
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A new online tool is available to help landholders in reef catchments identify and adopt better land management practices.
The Improved Practices Catalogue has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to support agricultural profitability while improving the quality of water in the Great Barrier Reef.
The catalogue was developed for landholders, but is also an excellent resource for researchers, consultants, policy officers and other interested parties.
DAFF Executive Director Dr Greg Robbins said the catalogue provided landholders with economic and water quality evidence relating to improved management practices they may be considering.
"The catalogue is based around a four-stage questionnaire, identifying what industry, region, management practice and specific activity the user is interested in," Dr Robbins said.
"The catalogue then generates a report based on the answers to the questionnaire.
"The report contains a practice message, evidence surrounding the water quality benefit of the practice, cost-benefit information and case studies.
"The catalogue also includes links to research papers, other relevant portals, online tools, guidelines and extension services.
"Links to supporting resources and services aim to further help landholders in making management decisions that are right for their specific situation."
At this stage, the catalogue takes in the banana, sugarcane and grazing industries in the Wet Tropics, Dry Tropics, Mackay Whitsunday, Fitzroy and Burnett Mary catchments.
"Where possible regional information is provided, ensuring a higher degree of relevance," Dr Robbins said.
"Over time, it will be updated to reflect the positive outcomes of improved practices as identified by ongoing research and development within agricultural industries."
The catalogue has been developed as part of the Queensland Government´s responsibilities under the Reef Water Quality Protection Plan 2009 (Reef Plan).
Reef Plan is a joint initiative of the Australian and Queensland governments to improve water quality in the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon. It aims to improve broad-scale agricultural land management to reduce sediment and chemical run-off to the waterways and the Reef.