Archives for March 2015

5000 seedlings in the ground at Racecourse Mill

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Racecourse Mill wetland restoration Racecourse Mill wetland restoration Racecourse Mill wetland restoration Racecourse Mill wetland restoration

Phase two of a major wetland restoration project near Racecourse Mill is underway, with more than 5000 seedlings set to be in the ground by the end of April.

Peter Muller, Reef Catchments project coordinator, said 3000 seedlings had been planted on the 4 hectare site over February and March, with another 2000 set to planted by the end of April.

“This is a major step in the wetland restoration project, which is a joint project between Mackay Sugar and Reef Catchments to restore a heavily degraded area of land directly behind Racecourse Mill,” Mr Muller said.

He said revegetation of native plants was a critical stage of the wetland restoration process.

“Over time, as these trees mature, they will help recreate the original rainforest ecosystem and environment that was once typical to the Pioneer Valley Catchment.

“The eventual aim of the restored wetland is to provide a corridor, becoming a point of connection in the landscape that allows for the delivery of water quality and ecosystem benefits to a wider area.”

More than 30 native species have been selected for the site, including Leichhardt and Damson Trees and Alexandra Palms. The seedlings have been provided by Mackay Tree Factory and the Pioneer Catchment Landcare Nursery.

The team from Whitsunday Catchment Landcare has been contracted to do the planting on-ground, making significant progress in a short period, with thousands of trees now in the ground.

Mr Muller said planting of endemic species (trees native to the area) also helped guard against invasive and environmentally damaging weeds.

“Tree species selected have been based on the regional ecosystem of the site. Before we started works, the site was mostly overgrown with weeds. By stocking the area heavily with endemic species, we hope to ‘shade out’ the weed species, some of which have become quite dominant over time – for example, water lettuce, water hyacinth, para grass and hymenachne,” he said.

Revegetation could also help improve water quality by enhancing natural filtration.

“Improved water quality and the restoration of land, ecosystem and habitat health are the major focus of the works and we hope the community will notice benefits in these areas moving forward,” Mr Muller said.

The project is a joint initiative of Reef Catchments and Mackay Sugar, through co-funding from the Australian Government Reef Programme. Works on the site will continue to June 2016.

Reef Catchments is currently seeking to partner with private landholders and farmers on similar wetland restoration works across the region. For more information contact Reef Catchments on (07) 4968 4234 or email peter.muller@reefcatchments.com

Bayer CropScience commits to cane innovation

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Pictured are Richard Dickmann, head of new business development for Bayer CropScience and Rob Cocco, CEO of Reef Catchments Group.
Bayer CropScience has announced ongoing support for Project Catalyst Australia. Shaking on the new agreement (centre) are Richard Dickmann, head of new business development for Bayer CropScience and Rob Cocco, CEO of Reef Catchments Group.

Bayer CropScience has reinforced a strong commitment to Australian sugarcane innovation and sustainable production, announcing ongoing support to Project Catalyst Australia at the annual Growers Forum in Townsville this month (March, 2015).

Bayer CropScience and Catchment Solutions (Project Catalyst coordinators) signed an MOU to extend the partnership between Bayer and Project Catalyst for the 4th year running.

Project Catalyst is a pioneering partnership aimed at reducing the environmental impacts of sugarcane production on the Great Barrier Reef through innovative farming practices. Project Catalyst seeks to test and validate practices that are good for farmers and also good for the reef, driving practice change and on-farm innovation.

Improving water quality from agricultural catchments is vital to improving the resilience of the Great Barrier Reef in the face of many threats, including a changing climate.

Richard Dickmann, Head of New Business Development for Bayer CropScience said, “We are delighted to extend our support of Project Catalyst. Project Catalyst is a perfect partner for Bayer as we share a commitment to improving reef water quality, and the role of innovation as a key driver of delivering sustainable farming outcomes.”

Since starting the collaboration with Bayer, Project Catalyst farmers have undertaken trials targeted at optimising herbicide application, leading to three new registration projects and new weed control protocols. Bayer local team worked with growers to develop more than 50 optimised herbicide treatment plans to improve the rate, timing and placement of herbicides on grower’s farms.

“Together, Bayer CropScience and Project Catalyst growers are highlighting changes in the management practices of weeds, disease and insects in the sugarcane industry. We are identifying solutions for more effective farming through innovative application techniques and trials,” Mr Dickmann said.

Rob Cocco, CEO of the Reef Catchments Group, said, “We welcome the news of ongoing support from Bayer CropScience and thank them for their support over the past four years. Bayer’s involvement has allowed Project Catalyst to transition toward the use of improved pesticide products and practices that are not only better for the farmer but also beneficial for our waterways and reef. Through continued partnership with Bayer we are confident we can identify and validate solutions to enhance farm profitability while looking after the environment.”

Both Bayer and Catchment Solutions have agreed to broaden work on the targeted application of herbicides, as well as the potential delivery of projects in the area of digital agriculture.

“We are focused on initiatives that lead simultaneously to better yields, better water quality and better economic return for the sugarcane industry,” Mr Cocco said.

Project Catalyst is a pioneering partnership of diverse stakeholders and more than 75 forward-thinking cane farmers. Major partners include WWF, Catchment Solutions and The Coca-Cola Foundation, who provide foundation funding. Regional NRM bodies are also involved from Queensland’s major areas of sugarcane production (Mackay Whitsunday, the Burdekin and the Wet Tropics). Bayer is a supporting contributor to Project Catalyst.

About Bayer CropScience
Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, agriculture and high-tech materials. Bayer CropScience, the subgroup of Bayer AG responsible for the agricultural business, is one of the world’s leading innovative crop science companies in the areas of seeds, crop protection and non-agricultural pest control. The company offers an outstanding range of products including high value seeds, innovative crop protection solutions based on chemical and biological modes of action as well as an extensive service backup for modern, sustainable agriculture. In the area of non-agricultural applications, Bayer CropScience has a broad portfolio of products and services to control pests from home and garden to forestry applications. The company has a global workforce of 21,000 and is represented in more than 120 countries. The Bayer CropScience Australian head office is located in Melbourne.

This and further news is available at: www.bayercropscience.com.au

About Catchment Solutions 

Catchment Solutions is an environmental consultancy and service provider based in Queensland, Australia. As part of the wider Reef Catchments Group, Catchment Solutions works locally, nationally and in Southeast Asia to help clients manage, design and execute projects to meet high standards of environmental excellence and corporate responsibility. With a strong team of environmental researchers, scientists and project facilitators, Catchment Solutions is uniquely placed to progress environmental operations, engagement, communication and partnerships. Catchment Solutions has strong relationships and extensive experience across both the public and private sectors, including at all levels of government and business, as well as with industry peak bodies, the wider research sector and leading community groups and organisations to deliver comprehensive environmental solutions. For more information visit www.catchmentsolutions.com.au

Sharing Our Stories: John and Phil Deguara

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PROJECT CATALYST | Cane farmers are improving water quality to help protect the Great Barrier Reef.

Featured Trial: John and Phil Deguara (Mackay Whitsunday region).

Under the Project Catalyst program, cane farmers in catchment areas adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef are supported to make changes to reduce nutrient, fertiliser and pollutant runoff.

To date, 78 innovation focused growers involved in Project Catalyst farm trials have helped improve runoff and drainage water quality of an estimated 102,000 megalitres.
That’s an amount equivalent to the water it would take to fill 40,000 Olympic sized swimming pools.

John and Phil Deguara are part of a group forward-thinking farmers in our region who are making changes to make a difference – click on the link to hear their story.

Sharing Our Stories: Scott Simpson

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PROJECT CATALYST | Cane farmers are improving water quality to help protect the Great Barrier Reef.

Featured Trial: Scott Simpson (Mackay Whitsunday region).

Under the Project Catalyst program, cane farmers in catchment areas adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef are supported to make changes to reduce nutrient, fertiliser and pollutant runoff.

To date, 78 innovation focused growers involved in Project Catalyst farm trials have helped improve runoff and drainage water quality of an estimated 102,000 megalitres.
That’s an amount equivalent to the water it would take to fill 40,000 Olympic sized swimming pools.

Scott Simpson is part of a group forward-thinking farmers in our region who are making changes to make a difference – click on the link to hear his story.

Sharing Our Stories: Rob Sluggett

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PROJECT CATALYST | Cane farmers are improving water quality to help protect the Great Barrier Reef.

Featured Trial: Rob Sluggett (Mackay Whitsunday region).

Under the Project Catalyst program, cane farmers in catchment areas adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef are supported to make changes to reduce nutrient, fertiliser and pollutant runoff.

To date, 78 innovation focused growers involved in Project Catalyst farm trials have helped improve runoff and drainage water quality of an estimated 102,000 megalitres.
That’s an amount equivalent to the water it would take to fill 40,000 Olympic sized swimming pools.

Rob Sluggett is part of a group forward-thinking farmers in our region who are making changes to make a difference – click on the link to hear his story.

Introducing Reef Catchments

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Click here to find out more about Reef Catchments role in the Mackay Whitsunday Isaac region, and the wide range of Natural Resource Management projects and on-ground works currently underway.

Sharing Our Stories: Gerry Deguara

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PROJECT CATALYST | Cane farmers are improving water quality to help protect the Great Barrier Reef.

Featured Trial: Gerry Deguara and sons (Mackay Whitsunday region).

Under the Project Catalyst program, cane farmers in catchment areas adjacent to the Great Barrier Reef are supported to make changes to reduce nutrient, fertiliser and pollutant runoff.

To date, 78 innovation focused growers involved in Project Catalyst farm trials have helped improve runoff and drainage water quality of an estimated 102,000 megalitres.
That’s an amount equivalent to the water it would take to fill 40,000 Olympic sized swimming pools.

Gerry Deguara and his family are part of a group forward-thinking farmers in our region who are making changes to make a difference – click on the link to watch their story.