The Morrison Government will invest $10.7 million to support farmers across Tully and Johnstone catchments in a reef water quality program aimed at helping farmers and reducing dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) runoff into the Great Barrier Reef.
Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley said the program will help farm productivity, improve nutrient management planning and fertiliser application, install constructed wetlands and expand local water quality monitoring.
“Tully and Johnstone farmers are at the forefront of reef conservation efforts, and we are working with Terrain Natural Resource Management to equip landholders with further tools and skills,” Ms Ley said.
“I’ve seen first-hand how invested farmers can be in this process and too often there are those wanting to point the finger at them instead of working with them to support coral health and diversity.”
Federal Leichhardt MP and Special Envoy for the Great Barrier Reef Warren Entsch welcomed the Morrison Government’s ongoing support for sustainable practice within the agriculture industry across North Queensland.
“Water quality is key to maintaining the health of the Great Barrier Reef and it is important that we continue to work closely and in partnership with these communities,” Mr Entsch said.
“This program will not only support a sustainable future for our farmers but also help ensure the long-term health and resilience of the reef.”
The Tully Johnstone Regional Water Quality program, funded by the Morrison Government’s Reef Trust Partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, is being managed by Terrain NRM.
On-ground projects will be delivered by Canegrowers Innisfail, Liquaforce, James Cook University’s TropWATERj, CSIRO and Greening Australia.
