Desert Channels - Natural Resource Management region
Regional summary
The Desert Channels region is the largest in Queensland and covers a land-based area of 509,933 square kilometres, incorporating the Queensland section of the Lake Eyre Basin. Population is sparse, with about 15,000 people in the region concentrated mainly in the major centres of Longreach, Barcaldine, Blackall and Winton.
The region has seven bio-geographic regions including some nationally significant rangelands and a biodiversity hotspot, the Desert Uplands. The region is characterised by low, highly variable rainfall. While grazing is the major primary industry in the region it is predominantly conducted on native pastures. Vegetation clearing and planting of improved pastures is mainly a feature of the more eastern areas of the region.
One of the significant investments maintained through 200405 was the cross-regional weeds and feral animals project, in collaboration with the adjacent NRM groups in South Australia and the Northern Territory. The region's NRM plan was accredited in late 2004 and ministers approved an investment package in early 2005 totalling $2.53 million, to be implemented in coming years.
Priority issues
Key natural resource management issues in the region include:
- infestation by feral animals and weeds
- land degradation
- soil erosion
- inability to maintain biodiversity in riparian vegetation and wetlands
Regional plan
Comprehensive regional planning commenced through the formation of Desert Channels Queensland Inc., responsible for the Queensland section of the Lake Eyre Basin, the largest planning region in Queensland. The Desert Channels Board brings together representatives from the Cooper's Creek and Georgina-Diamantina Catchment Committees, the Desert Uplands Build-up and Development Strategy Committee, local government, the Great Artesian Basin Advisory Council and Indigenous and conservation interests.
Desert Channels Queensland Inc was responsible for developing the Desert Channels regional plan, in consultation with the local community. This plan was based on a whole-of-region approach and addresses significant natural resource management (NRM) issues incorporating social, environmental and economic aspects.
Once accredited, Desert Channels Queensland Inc was responsible for developing the regional investment strategy. This is essentially the business plan that attracts investment from the Australian and state governments and details the specific actions, costs and timeframes required to implement the regional plan.
- Desert Channels plan - accredited December 2004
Current activities
While the Desert Channels Regional Investment Strategy is under development, funding has been allocated to establish the foundations for its effective implementation. These funding priorities include:
- setting up the regional planning processes and appointing facilitators and coordinators
- tackling weeds and feral animals across a number of catchments
- identifying sustainable management and grazing practices for the rangelands area
Contacts
Further information can be obtained by contacting the Regional Facilitators for Queensland.
Region summaries
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia
You can also use your town name to find your NRM Region.
Key
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