Improving land condition for agriculture, biodiversity and the economy

As Queensland’s agricultural output has expanded and intensified, so too has its impact on the condition of our landscapes. Land degradation is widespread across Queensland, costing the state in excess of $2bn per year.

More than 88% of Queensland’s land is used for primary production. This means how we manage agriculture is intertwined with how we manage our environment.

By working in partnership with land managers to improve land condition, we are able to mitigate against environmental degradation, enhance biodiversity and water quality outcomes and improve carbon sequestration. 

• Engaging 35% of cane growers in the Mackay and Whitsunday milling districts to increase soil organic matter and carbon content, for better water filtration, minimising runoff and enhancing drainage.
• Improving grazing land management over 30,000ha by installing structures that increase resilience and reduce impacts of future drought, fire and flood events across four disaster-impacted local government areas: Charters Tower, Isaac, Whitsunday and Townsville.
• Mapping 250,000ha of land across the Mitchell Grass Downs and Gulf Plains regions and supporting landholders to implement practice change such as restoring bare ground, stabilising gullies, reducing sedimentation over 200,000ha.
• Fast-tracking rangeland recovery in the Thompson River Catchment, part of the Lake Eyre Basin, impacting 26 rare and threatened species and grassland restoration over 2000ha.
• Fire protection and coordinated pest and weed control over 13 million hectares on Cape York Peninsula, while protecting habitat for 311 rare and threatened species.
• Working one-on-one with 20 farming enterprises to develop farm management plans, conduct soil testing and implement climate smart sustainable agriculture technologies and practices across Far North Queensland.