Terrain received more applications for Reef Rescue grants this year than ever before, showing that Far North Queensland farmer’s enthusiasm to invest in improving reef health was not dampened by the prolonged wet season.

Applications for the fourth year of Reef Rescue grants has closed with a record number of applications being received for projects to improve water quality leaving farms. Terrain’s CEO Carole Sweatman said, “We were expecting fewer applications this year with local farmers still recovering from Cyclone Yasi, but the response of over 300 applications was exceptional”.

A remarkable range of project proposals designed to reduce nutrient, soil and chemical losses from farms was received from the sugar cane, horticulture, multi-crop, grazing and dairy industries. “Fruit tree crops, melons and pineapples were included this year for the first time due to the demand for assistance from these industries,” said Ms Sweatman.

There is a substantial commitment of cash plus in-kind from farmers to improve their farming practices. This year there will be an acknowledgement of the severe effect of the cyclone and adverse weather conditions, with a reduction in the 50% co-contribution in specific circumstances.

“We are impressed with the number of farmers applying for projects to repair and rehabilitate waterways on their land,” Ms Sweatman said. “The number of applications for implementing projects that control sediment loss or involve repair of stream banks shows that looking after the environment is a driving factor for many farmers".

“The commitment of farmers has not faltered in the fourth round of Reef Rescue funding, despite the setbacks to farmers in the region this year,” remarked Ms Sweatman.

Project proposals will undergo a rigorous process to select the projects that will make the greatest improvement to water quality and farm profitability. Applicants will be informed if their project is successful by the end of September.

Reef Rescue is a voluntary incentives program administered in the Wet Tropics region by Terrain Natural Resource Management. The five year, $200 million program is an investment by the Australian Government under the Caring for Our Country initiative. Landholders in the Great Barrier Reef catchment are supported to adopt improved farming systems that will improve water quality and protect the environment. The first round of funding for Reef Rescue projects began in 2008.

Terrain NRM is a community-based not-for-profit organisation supporting natural resource management in the Wet Tropics and facilitates sustainable farming to reduce impacts on the region’s land water assets.

END

For further information contact: John Reghenzani, Manager Sustainable Industries, Terrain. Phone 0439 670 893