Landcare benefits flowing in Goondiwindi

Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Luke Hartsuyker, and the Member for Maranoa, David Littleproud, today visited local properties in southern Queensland to see a coordinated Landcare erosion control and waterway system in action.

 

Minister Hartsuyker said the Australian Government was committed to keeping Landcare front and centre to assist land managers and farmers to manage the nation’s precious soils, water, vegetation and biodiversity.

 

“Landcare applies well-researched and innovative land and water management techniques and tools on the ground, harnessing local knowledge to deliver practical and tangible environmental and financial benefits to communities and farm businesses,” Minister Hartsuyker said.

 

“That is why we invested more than $1 billion in Landcare through the 2017-18 Budget.

 

“Our commitment has enabled Queensland Murray Darling Committee to work with local property owners to develop and implement soil conservation plans that control runoff water in a coordinated waterways across Yarri/Wyaga, Billa Billa and several other Sub-catchment areas.

 

“The great benefit of this coordinated, holistic plan is that it accounts for all of the water running through the landscape, as opposed to individual plans that stop at property boundaries, not taking into account the whole of the catchment area.”

 

Member for Maranoa, David Littleproud, said it was great to see Landcare, the biggest environmental movement in the country, benefiting local Queensland landholders on the ground.

 

“Yarril/Wyaga and Billa Billa Sub-catchments area are some of the region’s most productive agricultural lands. Erosion continues to be Queensland’s biggest land degradation issue where these soil conservation works have not been implemented,” Mr Littleproud said.

 

“Crossing multiple properties, the constructed waterways are designed to carry the full amount of water moving through the catchment at a safe speed, reducing the impact of soil erosion on water quality and riverine health.”

 

For more information on the National Landcare Programme, visit nrm.gov.au/national-landcare-programme .