Opportunity knocks for SEQ growers

Have you ever looked around your property and thought, “I’d really like to fix this up,” or “I’d really like to install that.” You know, the priority wish list of things you would get to if you had the time, money, resources, or expertise?

Opportunity has come knocking for South East Queensland horticultural growers with the announcement of the Best Management Practice (BMP) Incentive Scheme.

Through this scheme, growers in the Pumicestone, Lockyer, and Bremer catchments can apply for $5,000 grants to support on-farm practices that reduce sediment, nutrient, and pesticide loads entering local waterways and flowing to Moreton Bay.

Successful grant applicants will also have the opportunity to work with Growcom’s SEQ Water Quality Project team - Tim Wolens and Tanya Luck - on the design and implementation of grower’s projects.

Tim and Tanya’s ongoing work within the Southeast Queensland region means they have the networks to connect growers with the suppliers, new innovations, and technical experts to make your plans a reality.

Eligible activities include:

• Bioreactor installation;

• Improved fertiliser and pesticide application (for example precision application practices such as droppers on boom sprayer, inter-row sprayer on ground rig, injection at planting);

• Installing new or repairing / upgrading erosion and sediment control structures (e.g. contour drains, drain stabilisation, sediment retention basins, surface / ground cover and silt traps);

• Improvements to soil health (e.g. use of compost as a soil ameliorant);

• Other new or innovative products or services that support improvements in sediment, nutrient and pesticide efficiencies.

“Opportunities like this incentive scheme mean we can bring down barriers for growers who are looking to achieve best practice for minimising sediment, nutrient, and pesticide movement, but need support in terms of time, resources, and vendors,” SEQ Water Quality Project Manager Tim Wolens said.

To foster ongoing learnings across the industry, successful applicants will be required to participate in case study, extension, or educational opportunities.

“What one grower establishes on their farm through the BMP Incentive Scheme may serve as inspiration for another,” Mr Wolens said. “But this is only achieved through knowledge sharing and peer-to-peer learning.”

To find out more about the eligibility and assessment criteria, and to apply, visit www.growcom.com.au/seq-water-quality

Applications will be assessed by a panel of experts from Growcom, the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and Healthy Land and Water, based on set criteria. Agribusinesses can apply for up to $5,000 per activity with multiple applications supported across the each of the three key area reducing sediment, improving nutrient and pesticide efficiency.

Applications close 30 November 2024.

The SEQ Water Quality Program is funded by the Department of Environment, Science & Innovation.