Non-Urban (Rural) Land Management

Single wire electric fence keeps cattle out of this wetland - Ian Layden

Photo: Dairy Farm in Conondale SEQ - Ian layden

Wetlands provide a range of benefits to agriculture through the provision of water and forage for stock, flood management and biodiversity.

Queensland’s agricultural sector plays an important role in the protection, conservation and ongoing management of wetland systems in Queensland. In fact, most wetlands in Queensland exist on private property.

It is recognised that managing wetlands in intensive agriculture can be different to managing wetlands in extensive grazing systems. The Queensland Wetlands Program has developed different products to support the sustainable use and management of wetlands across a range of agricultural sectors.

One of these products is the Edgenetwork Grazing Land Management (GLM) package for the Mackay Whitsunday region, which was developed collaboratively between the Queensland Wetlands Program, Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) and the Meat and Livestock Association. The package integrates management of wetlands into sustainable management of grazing in a whole of catchment context. As one producer commented after attending the workshop:

"The information shared will result in improved land, grass and weed management which will mean fewer nutrients / sediment runoff and fewer weeds. All this means much better environmental outcomes for the reef, waterways and our land".

The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) and the Queensland Farmers Federation has produced a range of products to help in the management of intensive agriculture activities. The Queensland Smart State Strategy 2005-2015 recognises Farm Management Systems (FMS) as a key strategy to promote the sustainable use of the state's natural resources. The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) in partnership with the Queensland Wetland Program and the Queensland Farmers Federation has developed the Farm Management Systems (FMS) guidelines for managing wetlands in intensive agriculture as well as associated case studies and economic assessment tools.

Grazing for Healthy Coastal Wetlands: Guidelines for managing coastal wetlands in grazing systems

The Grazing for Healthy Coastal Wetlands Guidelines have been developed by the Department Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI) to provide graziers, landowners and extension officers with information on managing grazing in and around Queensland's coastal wetlands to maintain healthy coastal wetlands and productive grazing enterprises.

Wetland Management Handbook: Farm Management Systems guidelines for managing wetlands in intensive agriculture

The Wetland Management Handbook: Farm Management Systems guidelines for managing wetlands in intensive agriculture (handbook) contains information and guidelines to help producers and extension officers protect the functions of Queensland’s wetlands in intensive agricultural production systems. The handbook follows the Farm Management System approach to managing agricultural businesses.

The handbook provides for all aspects of best practice wetlands management in intensive agricultural operations and covers such topics as nutrient, erosion and sediment management; spray-drift management; management for fisheries values; and weed and pest animal management. It also contains a component on constructed wetlands design.

Wetlands and farm management - case studies

This series of case studies features enterprises that have boosted their business bottom line and improved wetland health through industry programs and best practices.

Best Management Practice and Codes of Practice

Economic assessment tools

Instream structures impact on Ramsar wetlands

The new report Inventory of Instream Structures Impacting on Ramsar Wetlands demonstrates the impacts of structures which threaten the health of local fish populations that support important recreational and commercial fisheries and associated wetland functions. The report’s key feature is a Response Action Plan (RAP) that nominates specific actions to protect wetland values in Bowling Green Bay and Shoalwater and Corio Bays.