The Burdekin catchment is the second largest catchment in Queensland occupying some 133,000 km2 between 18o and 25oS and 144o and 149oE. The catchment comprises four main sub catchments, the Upper Burdekin, the Bellyando/Suttor, the Bowen/Broken, and the lower Burdekin and Coastal Plains. It is known for its tropical diversity including flat arid drylands, rich wooded rolling grasslands, mountainous tropical rainforests, lush coastal plains, mangroves and wetlands. Typical annual average rainfalls are 600-700 mm in the upper catchment and 800-1000 mm in the lower catchment coastal plains. Dominated by wet summers and dry winters, the catchment experiences peak flows from December to April, with low or negligible flows from May to November. The catchment drains into the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon.
Cattle production is the dominant land use in the Upper Burdekin, Bellyando/Suttor, and Bowen/Broken regions. Although reliance on cattle production means the regional economy is exposed to market downturns and climatic uncertainty, it still contributes around $100m export dollars annually. Mining also features prominently in these regions generating earnings in excess of $500m dollars annually.
Land use in the lower catchment is dominated by intensive irrigation of some 80,000 ha of sugarcane, with smaller areas of horticulture. Security of surface water supplies was increased dramatically in 1987 on completion of the Burdekin Falls dam, which, with a capacity of 1,860,000 megalitres, is the largest water storage in Queensland. This water is also used to recharge aquifers in the Burdekin delta, where groundwater is the main source of water for irrigation. Despite the reliable water supply, the almost total domination by sugarcane and export of more than 80% of the sugar produced means the regional economy is also exposed to downturns in international markets. Typical earnings generated by sugar in the lower catchment vary from $300m to $400m annually.
Key natural resource management issues in the Burdekin catchment include water quality (sediments, nutrients, salts, agro-chemicals), salinity (dryland, irrigation salinity, salt-water intrusion), land degradation (erosion, soil acidity), loss of riparian vegetation and changes to river flows (environmental flows), aquatic weeds, loss of biodiversity (native vegetation, animal species), loss of wetlands, and feral animals. Water quality in particular has generated considerable public debate in recent months following the release of end of catchment water quality targets by GBRMPA (2001).
Key groups and initiatives involved in natural resource management issues in the Burdekin catchment include the Burdekin-Bowen Integrated Floodplain Management Advisory Group (BBIFMAC), the Burdekin Rangelands Implementation Group (BRIG), the Burdekin Dry Tropics Group (BDTG), the Burdekin Rangelands to Reef Initiative (BRRI), the Lower Burdekin Initiative (LBI), and others. These groups interact and work with other Government and non-Government agencies to address a range of issues including Water Resource Plans, Vegetation Management Plans, Coastal Management Plans, National Action Plan For Salinity And Water Quality (NAPSWQ), National Heritage Trust (NHT), etc. A key strength of the catchment is the large number of individuals and groups committed to improving overall natural resource management in an effort to ensure the long term economic viability of the various sub-regions and catchment as a whole.
Additional information about
Burdekin catchment issues and work being undertaken within the Burdekin
can be found at the following web sites:
Burdekin Dry Tropics Group
(BDTG): http://www.burdekindrytropics.org.au/
Lower Burdekin Initiative
(LBI): http://www.tvl.qld.csiro.au/_pub/burdekininitiative/
GBRMPA: http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/corp_site/key_issues/water_quality/action_plan/index.html
Invited workshop participants
from the Burdekin
| Joe Linton
483 Kirknie Rd Home Hill QLD 4806 Ph 07-4782 6270 email: jlinton@austarnet.com.au |
George Nielson
Chair North Burdekin Water Board PO Box 830 Ayr QLD 4807 Mobile: 0418 188 546 arendal@bigpond.com |
| Peter Bahr
“Greenvale Station’ Greenvale QLD 4816 Ph/ fax 07-4788 5530 |
Bev Pedracini
Ph 07-4770 3388
|
The North-east of Victoria is one of the most diverse agricultural areas in Australia. The region begins in the plains area of Central Victoria and spreads North to the alpine areas. It is partly due to this wide range of geographic features that the NE has become so agriculturally diverse. Generally property sizes are small and this is another reason many new agricultural pursuits are being trialed (eg. flowers)
Possibly our biggest asset is our high rainfall. The NE comprises 5 major river valleys and 3 large dams. 38% of all water flowing into the Murray Darling system originates in the NE.
Historically, the main forms of agriculture were timber, dairy, beef, tobacco and hops. Today dairy, beef and timber remain strong, but tobacco is decreasing and hops are almost extinct as local industries. Today wine grapes are replacing tobacco. Olives and green tea are also grown, while apples, nuts, berries, fat lambs, aquaculture and cereal crops are also being farmed. Many new crops such as Ginseng, are currently being trialed.
To survive, many NE farmers are prepared to try innovative new crops and ideas.
Invited workshop participants
from North East Victoria
| Neil Allen
RM 9795 Edi Upper Vic 3678 Ph/fax 03-5729 3550 Email: bogafrog@dragnet.com.au |
Rob Shepherd
Mudgegonga Vic 3737
|
| James Neary
‘Melrose’ RMB 2150 Murmungee Via Beechworth Vic 3743 Ph / fax 03-5727 1327 |
Noelene Wallace
c/- NECMA 1 McKoy St Wodonga Vic 3690 Ph 02-6055 6262, fax 02-6055 6119 |
The north-west region of New South Wales contains some of the most suitable, productive and sustainable farming soils within Australia. Irrigated cotton and agriculture make use of the water resource within the general area, while dryland farming of cereals and pulses take place on more suitable soils. Grazing of sheep and cattle, mining and tourism are also important within the region.
Resource use is very much under the spotlight at the present time, with community input from outside the region having a huge impact on the economic wellbeing of those residing within. No doubt this is one of the huge issues to be resolved for the environmental future of the region.
Invited workshop participants
from North-western NSW
| Rory Treweeke
‘Angledoon Station’ Lightening Ridge NSW 2834 Ph 02-6829 0301 Treweeke.vs@farmwide.com.au |
Adrian Newton
‘Combaderry’ Walgett NSW 2832 Ph 02-6828 1280 Email: adriannewton@bigpond.com.au |
| Jack Warnock
PO Box 306 Narrabri NSW 2390 Ph 02-6794 4850 jackwarnock@bigpond.com |
Neil Warden
Ph 02-6828 8480, fax 02-6828 8459
|
The Murray Mallee region covers an area that extends into part of South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales. It has a low annual rainfall of 250 to 400 mm and is a key dryland agriculture region. Most of the unique vegetation has been cleared for agriculture. Cereals, mainly wheat and barley are the main farming activities with sheep for wool and meat and beef cattle also being key enterprises. Good quality groundwater in the southern area is used to irrigate potatoes and onions and extensive irrigation occurs adjacent to the River Murray.
Clearance of the native vegetation and replacement with annual crops and pastures has led to the environmental issues of soil erosion, dryland salinity including increased salt loads to the River Murray and loss of biodiversity. These issues are being addressed by the dryland Murray Mallee communities through various programs including improving cropping systems, planting perennial vegetation and protecting existing native vegetation. However land management change needs to be much greater to achieve the landscape change required for sustainability. The challenge is to identify profitable, sustainable systems and achieve further attitudinal change to build on the great work that progressive landholders have begun.
Useful web pages for more
information:
www.lm.net.au/~murraymalleelap
www.msfp.org.au
www.bcg.org.au
www.vicnet.net.au/~millcar
www.nre.vic.gov.au
Invited workshop participants
from the Murray Mallee
| Judy Pfeiffer
Murray Mallee Local Action Planning Assoc. PO Box 2056 Murray Bridge SA 5253 Ph 08-8531 2066, fax 08-8532 5300 Email: mmlap@lm.net.au |
Jim Maynard
Kerribee Station (NSW) RMB 7160 Via Mildura Vic 3502 Ph 03-5024 0248, fax 03-5024 0343 mmaynard@hotkey.net.au |
| Glenys McKee
PO Box 10 Cowangie Vic 3506 Ph/fax 03-5095 6251 Email: gmckee@riverland.net.au |
Ian Arney
10 Helen Court Mildura Vic 3500 Ph 03-5028 1292 (farm), 5021 0797(home) Fax 03 5028 1292 Email: karney@hotkey.net.au |
The Eyre Peninsula covers the vast region stretching from the Gawler Ranges in the North to Port Lincoln in the South, and for 1,000km from Spencer Gulf in the East westward to the Western Australian-South Australian border. The region supports a population of 35,000 people spread over a land mass of 55,000 square kilometers. In order of economic importance , the region’s top three industries are agriculture, fishing and tourism. Eyre Peninsula produces approximately 33% of South Australia’s grain harvest and 70% of the State’s seafood harvest, yet we make up only 2.3% of the State’s population.
Most of the approximately 1600 farming entities on Eyre Peninsula are family owned and run. In the last 10 years there has been a huge uptake in farming to land capability, conservation farming and adoption of technology in farming practices. There is a wide range of soil types, rainfall and challenges. Eyre Peninsula has four major NHT salinity projects, approximately 120 other NHT projects, and a community operated NHT Landcare officer project, employing four officers across Eyre Peninsula.
Four innovative and practical farmers (two Ibis award winners and a Nuffield scholarship winner) will be leading the discussion in the workshop on challenges and opportunities and the viable, sustainable, productive future for agriculture on Eyre Peninsula.
Web sites for further information
ERDB
- EYRE REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT BOARD
Helping to develop an 'Eyre
of Prosperity'
SA
Regional Net - Eyre Peninsula Regional Overview
Features area maps, driving
directions and photos, and provides summaries of natural attractions and
recreational activities.
Rural
News - 1/02/01: Eyre Peninsula fights GM canola
On South Australia's Eyre
Peninsula the battle lines are being drawn over plans by the multinational
Monsanto to trial genetically modified canola The Peninsula has already
set up a GM taskforc
Other Regional Contacts:
|
Peter Treloar PO Box 245 Edillilie SA 5630 Ph 08-8676 4292, fax 08-8676 4291 Email: ptreloar@bigpond.com |
Leighton George
Box 9 Minnipa SA 5654 georgebl@ozemail.com.au Ph 08-8680 5008 |
| Roger Nield
Cleve SA 5640
|
Andrew Beach
Butler Tanks SA 5605
|
WHEATBELT WESTERN AUSTRALIA- AVON REGION
Website www.avonicm.org.au
The Avon River Basin (ARB) covers an area of 12,071,326 hectares. It is divided into three sub-catchments: the Yilgarn to the east, the Lockhart to the south and the Avon to the west. The ARB comprises 34 shires, 150 separate communities that support a population of 54,000
The ARB depends on rural industry for its economic well-being. The agricultural sector has approximately 4,000 farms and employs 34% of the area’s population. However, long-term quality of life within the region depends on the successful integration of sustainable production with conservation of natural resources. The region produces 34% of the states GVAP, worth $1,467 million to WA's economy. Other important contributors include mining, retail and manufacturing.
Invited workshop participants
from the Western Australian wheatbelt
|
Jeanette Buege Buegge & Company P/L PO Box 43 Bruce Rock WA 6418 Ph 08-9061 1298, fax 08-9061 1198 Email: mjbuegge@wn.com.au |
John Foss Ph 08-9888 1194 Mobile: 0428 881194
|
| Barbara Morrell
(08) 98204 046 Fax: (08) 98204 026 Mobile: 0429 109 544 bigredmorrell@bigpond.com |
Mike McFarlane
PO Box 21 Doodlakine WA 6411 Ph 08-9045 8244 Email: msmcfarlane@bigpond.com |