More than 16,000 tonnes of sediment from the Burnett River catchment will be stopped from entering the Great Barrier Reef.
Visiting the Bargara AgTech Hub on Sunday, Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley announced a $6.1 million investment to improve water quality.
Ms Ley said funding from the Reef Trust would support practical on-ground action led by the Burnett Mary Regional Group.
“The project design and delivery will involve local landowners working closely with local communities and traditional owners to improve land management practices and deliver win-win outcomes for landholders and the reef,” Ms Ley said.
“It will support large-scale restoration of riparian areas to reduce streambank erosion and fine sediment loads, improve landholder management of cattle access to waterways, and implement weed management plans, and a feral animal control strategy.
“The project will be delivered by people who understand their region and who have a proven track record of achieving environmental results.
“It will generate approximately 44 new jobs over three years, with approximately a third of these involving Indigenous employment.”
The Burnett Water Quality Consortium will include Central Queensland University’s Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC) and Gidarjil Development Corporation, blending the latest ecological science with the knowledge and experience of Traditional Owners.
Burnett Mary Regional Group chief executive, Sheila Charlesworth, said almost 20 per cent of the sediment reduction target could be achieved over three years.
“BMRG’s use of drone technology is world class,” Ms Charlesworth said.
“For this particular project we will be adding new aircraft to our existing fleet to deliver on-ground monitoring and reporting requirements.”
