Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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Incentives for nature conservation
Landholders in Central Queensland can have half the costs of conservation projects on their properties paid under an innovative project in the Desert Channels region.
Rob Cameron, who coordinates the 'Advancing On Ground Nature Conservation Project' through a sub-regional group, the Desert Uplands Committee, sees it as an opportunity to get the conservation ball rolling.
"The whole idea is to change attitudes by starting people off on conservation work from which they'll then also see benefits for themselves," Rob said.
Funding
The Australian Government has provided $500,000 for the project, with additional support provided by the State Government.
Landholders submit expressions of interest for projects they hope will qualify for incentive payments.
"They have to put up half the costs, but this can be 'in kind'. This means it can include their time and labour, or use of equipment, vehicles or other infrastructure," Rob said.
Activities
The project provides funds for work that helps graziers manage land and waterways more sustainably, or involves them in protecting or restoring existing native vegetation and animal habitats.
This may include fencing to control stock access to fragile areas and allow paddocks to be spelled, developing watering points to keep stock away from riverbanks and wetlands, or doing work to control weeds and pests.
"What we're trying to do in a lot of cases is encourage landholders to get groundcover. Much of this country is quite poor and if you flog it, it will turn to claypan so water won't sink in," Rob said.
"If cattle are not properly controlled, they're likely to bash one area until the earth is bare and ignore the rest - it's like eating ice-cream rather than sawdust. But if you fence it, the land can still be used, but it doesn't have to be flogged. This will help raise the conservation value, as it will reduce erosion and weeds and increase biodiversity in the area that's being managed.
"We're also aiming to help landholders fence off watercourses to reduce pressure on these areas."
Properties are inspected once landholders have put in an expression of interest for the program.
Although many projects involve fencing, Rob emphasises the program is flexible. "Desert Uplands will listen to any reasonable project, and as long as it can be shown that it will help nature conservation on the property involved, we'll look at funding it," he said.
More information
- Rob Cameron, Advancing On Ground Nature Conservation Project Coordinator: rob.cameron@desertuplands.org.au
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