Reef 2050 Expert Panel Figure 5: Map of the Great Barrier Reef Natural Resource Management regions. Legislation and regulation Reef protection regulations first came into force under Queensland law in 2010 and apply to cattle grazing on properties of more than 2000 hectares and all commercial sugarcane farming in the Burdekin, Mackay Whitsunday and Wet Tropics catchments. However, enforcement of these laws was discontinued in 2011 and instead a voluntary industry led approach supported. Since the release of the Reef 2050 Plan, the current Queensland Government has reinstated and strengthened its compliance program for these regulations. Eight new officers have been appointed and existing officers have been trained and are undertaking compliance inspections at properties in the catchments. the regulations, it is mandatory for regulated cane farmers to: fertiliser at no more than the amount calculated in accordance with a prescribed methodology, taking into account • soil testing. Applying fertiliser in accordance with this methodology minimises the risk of nutrient run off from excess application. Follow specific controls when using herbicide products containing atrazine, ametryn, hexazinone and diuron, which • prevents overspray and run off from herbicide products. Keep records of use of fertilisers and agricultural chemicals to provide evidence to compliance officers of the • improvement in practices. It is mandatory for regulated graziers to: Follow specific controls when using herbicide products containing tebuthiuron. • Apply fertiliser for improved pastures at no more than the amount calculated in accordance with a prescribed • methodology, taking into account soil testing. Keep records of fertiliser and agricultural chemical use. • Since March 2016, on farm inspections have taken place, with a focus on fertiliser application requirements on cane farms. The inspections are focused on farms that are currently not accredited under the SmartCane Best Management Practice (BMP) program. An accredited cane farmer demonstrates compliance with the regulated standards. Initial compliance inspections are showing around 40 per cent of growers are not meeting regulatory requirements, suggesting that improvements to water quality will be gained through increased enforcement. Now that the compliance program has been re-established and growers are aware of the legal requirements, stronger enforcement action may become necessary during follow up inspections where non-compliant growers have not improved their practices to meet the legal standards. One of the Queensland Government’s commitments in the Reef 2050 Plan is to strengthen vegetation management legislation to protect remnant and high value regrowth native vegetation, including riparian zones (EHA20). This
Reef 2050 Expert Panel Figure 5: Map of the Great Barrier Reef Natural Resource Management regions. Legislation and regulation Reef protection regulations first came into force under Queensland law in 2010 and apply to cattle grazing on properties of more than 2000 hectares and all commercial sugarcane farming in the Burdekin, Mackay Whitsunday and Wet Tropics catchments. However, enforcement of these laws was discontinued in 2011 and instead a voluntary industry led approach supported. Since the release of the Reef 2050 Plan, the current Queensland Government has reinstated and strengthened its compliance program for these regulations. Eight new officers have been appointed and existing officers have been trained and are undertaking compliance inspections at properties in the catchments. the regulations, it is mandatory for regulated cane farmers to: • fertiliser at no more than the amount calculated in accordance with a prescribed methodology, taking into account soil testing. Applying fertiliser in accordance with this methodology minimises the risk of nutrient run off from excess application. • Follow specific controls when using herbicide products containing atrazine, ametryn, hexazinone and diuron, which prevents overspray and run off from herbicide products. • Keep records of use of fertilisers and agricultural chemicals to provide evidence to compliance officers of the improvement in practices. It is mandatory for regulated graziers to: • Follow specific controls when using herbicide products containing tebuthiuron. • Apply fertiliser for improved pastures at no more than the amount calculated in accordance with a prescribed methodology, taking into account soil testing. • Keep records of fertiliser and agricultural chemical use. Since March 2016, on farm inspections have taken place, with a focus on fertiliser application requirements on cane farms. The inspections are focused on farms that are currently not accredited under the SmartCane Best Management Practice (BMP) program. An accredited cane farmer demonstrates compliance with the regulated standards. Initial compliance inspections are showing around 40 per cent of growers are not meeting regulatory requirements, suggesting that improvements to water quality will be gained through increased enforcement. Now that the compliance program has been re-established and growers are aware of the legal requirements, stronger enforcement action may become necessary during follow up inspections where non-compliant growers have not improved their practices to meet the legal standards. One of the Queensland Government’s commitments in the Reef 2050 Plan is to strengthen vegetation management legislation to protect remnant and high value regrowth native vegetation, including riparian zones (EHA20). This
reef-2050-update-progress.docx