Primary producers across the Burnett and Mary region have had help with their flood management plans.
The Burnett Mary Regional Group’s Industry Recovery and Resilience officers have worked with primary producers to develop 46 flood management plans so far with 20 more in progress.
These flood management plans help landholders with their water management and to reduce the impact of any future high rainfall events.
BMRG’s Virginia Kelleher from BMRG said having a flood management plan supports producers to future proof their properties.
“We’re able to help landholders with planning improvements in areas such as infrastructure, ground cover, rotational grazing, soil health, landscape hydration and being rain ready for wet seasons to harvest water,” she said.
“We visit the producer’s property and complete a flood management plan, and run through support services, including grants and funding opportunities available to eligible primary producers.”
A flood management plan will not stop a flood, but it can help reduce the impact including making sure there are healthy pastures and good root systems.
Producers Rhys and Amy Innes, from Marcella near Booubyjan, said developing a flood management plan prompted them to be proactive with their farm management.
“One of the things we think is really important is to put in some infrastructure so we can keep our cattle and livestock up on higher ground and out of the flood,” Amy said.
“Last time we had cows and calves washed away, and we’re seedstock producers, so we can’t afford to let those genetics go down the creek.”
Flood management plans outline potential actions to prevent, prepare, respond and recover in relation to heavy rainfall events.
The Burnett Mary Regional Group includes the North Burnett Regional Council, South Burnett Regional Council and Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council regions as well as the Bundaberg Regional Council, Fraser Coast Regional Council, Gladstone Regional Council, Gympie Regional Council, Sunshine Coast Regional Council, Toowoomba Regional Council, Western Downs Regional Council and Wide Bay Burnett Regional Organisation of Councils.
For more information, contact BMRG on 07 4181 2999 or email admin@bmrg.org.au.
