THE State Government will provide $1.1 million to help north Queensland landholders comply with new Great Barrier Reef regulations which take effect on 1 January.
Acting climate change and sustainability Minister and primary industries and fisheries Minister Tim Mulherin said the funding would help sugar cane farmers and graziers adopt best practice, saving them resources and money.
"CANEGROWERS and the Australian Cane Farmers Association will manage $750,000 and AgForce will manage $350,000," he said.
"Of the $750,000 to assist sugarcane growers, $400,000 will be used in the Wet Tropics, $200,000 in Mackay/Whitsunday and $150,000 in the Burdekin Dry Tropics catchments."
Mr Mulherin said the new legislation aimed to protect Queensland's Great Barrier Reef and build its resilience to the impacts of climate change and other threats.
"Consultation with industry groups has been an ongoing part of the State Government's collaborative approach, both in the development of the reef legislation and now in its implementation," he said.
The $1.1 million funding is part of the Queensland Government's commitment of $50 million over five years to implement the reef protection package, which includes compliance, education and a monitoring and evaluation program.
The new requirements will be staged in their roll-out next year.
- From 1 January 2010, farmers and graziers in the affected catchment areas must keep records and comply with regulations on the use of fertiliser and pesticides to improve the quality of water that runs off their properties onto the reef.
- From 1 July, 2010 canefarmers and graziers using herbicides will need to hold qualifications in preparing and applying chemicals, controllin g weeds and transporting, handling and storing chemicals.
- By 1 October, 2010 environmental risk management plans will need to be lodged by cattle grazing enterprises over 2000ha in the Burdekin Dry Tropics and for cane farms growing more than 70ha of cane in the Wet Tropics.
Mr Mulherin also launched a new website to help growers and farmers with the new legislation, which he said would provide farmers and graziers with information that would help them ensure their management practices present a low risk to the health of the reef.
"The Reef Wise Farming website covers chemical management, soil testing, calculating the optimum amount of fertiliser, record keeping and environmental risk management planning," he said.
"It has all the necessary forms, tools and guidelines for record keeping, soil testing and optimum nutrient calculation.
"It will provide information on policies, procedures and mandatory requirements under the new legislation and will be updated as new resources are developed.
Feedback would also be sought to ensure the website continued to meet the needs of users.
"I understand that not all farmers affected by the legislation are connected to the internet, so a booklet regarding the new legislation has been mailed and all the guidelines and forms needed for 1 January, 2010 are being printed and posted this week," Mr Mulherin said.
* The new Reef Wise Farming website can be found at www.reefwisefarming.qld.gov.au
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