Reef Alliance – Growing a Great Barrier Reef was a collaborative partnership between agricultural industry groups and regional NRM bodies, facilitated by the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF). Supported by a $45 million investment from the Australian Government through Reef Trust, the program aimed to improve water quality, protect coastal habitats, and secure the long-term health of the Great Barrier Reef.

In the Burnett Mary region, the project worked with both grains and grazing enterprises to reduce sediment and nutrient runoff—key threats to the Reef—by supporting the adoption of Best Management Practices.

The grains component targeted the North Burnett district, where participants received tailored one-on-one support from a Reef Alliance Cropping Field Officer over a two-year period. Each producer developed and implemented a Property Action Plan (PAP), focusing on erosion control, fertiliser and herbicide management and ground cover improvement. This led to measurable practice change, with reduced sediment runoff across 1,231 hectares on 10 farming enterprises and reduced herbicide runoff across 618 hectares on six enterprises.

The grazing component initially focused on the Burnett sub-catchment, particularly from Paradise Dam to Walla Weir, before extending into the Baffle catchment. Here, 23 landholders adopted improved management practices including riparian protection, erosion control, and ground cover management. Outcomes included over 5,000 hectares of improved ground cover, more than 100 hectares of riparian area enhancement, and nearly 18 kilometres of streambank protected through fencing and off-stream watering infrastructure. Additionally, erosion remediation works were implemented across 35 hectares.

Through its focus on tailored extension, property-scale planning, and investment in practical on-ground works, the Reef Alliance project in the Burnett delivered significant improvements in land management. These changes not only benefitted farm productivity and resilience but also contribute to better water quality flowing into the Great Barrier Reef.