Digging deeper for sustainable solutions

Last December, we watched on as Ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper left a trail of destruction across Far North Queensland. The wild weather cutting deep scars across properties and people’s lives.  

Jasper’s heavy rainfall severely impacted FNQ growers. It resulted in damaged infrastructure (irrigation, fencing, internal roads, drains and significant soil losses), tree deaths, and kept growers off paddocks for weeks. This adversely affected harvesting and management operations, as well as profitability and caused much stress. 

Alongside production and income losses, the impacts of erosion are still being felt by many horticultural growers today, one year on.  

Driven by their collective desire to tackle erosion, growers and horticultural practitioners in the state’s far north came together in November to share learnings, pain points, and plans for repairs and future erosion mitigation. Organised by Growcom—QFVG’s project delivery arm—this grower-led session covered a range of topics from soil types and erosion risk, through to mitigation options and technologies, with region-wide examples showcased. 

Participant feedback showed there were more barriers to erosion mitigation than solutions, including: 

  • Up-front costs 

  • Cost and availability of earthworks/contractors 

  • Lack of specialised skills and knowledge in the region 

  • Red tape for mitigation (specifically earthworks or work in waterways), and 

  • Difficulties performing soil mitigation works in orchards with established trees and irrigation systems. 

What was working well, however, was the strategic partnerships forged between growers, industry, and NRM groups, which enables mitigation work at a regional level.  

A panel discussion identified that a range of erosion and sediment funding options—including multi-level government funding—needed to be accessible regardless of catchment for growers and landholders (especially those outside Great Barrier Reef catchments), as well as more resources and advice on erosion mitigation.  

The takeaway message from the day was a simple one. Growers, to the point and practical as always, want answers to the following: 

  • What do I do when faced with erosion? 

  • How do I do it? 

  • How much will it cost?

  • What will and won’t work in my situation? 

  • Who do I ask for help?

QFVG welcomed last week’s announcement of a deadline extension for primary producers impacted by Jasper to access Extraordinary Disaster Assistance Recovery Grants of up to $75,000. Now available until 30 June 2025, grant money can be used for costs associated with recovery such as the purchase of equipment and materials, clean up, and replacing fencing.  

QFVG will continue to work with horticultural growers on the ground throughout the state to provide continued support and advocacy for these issues.  

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