Canberra praises Reef Rescue growers in Mackay

Australian Government Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke and Federal member for Capricornia Kirsten Livermore met last week with North Queensland cane farmers and graziers to discuss how new farming techniques are helping to save the Great Barrier Reef and boosting their businesses.

The properties are among more than 770 farms involved in the $200 million Reef Rescue program. Mr Burke visited Lee and Chris Blackburn at North Eton, Mackay, where he saw first hand the difference the Reef Rescue funding had made to purchase global positioning systems technology in their tractors to allow more precise application of pesticides.

Mr Burke also met with NRM Reef Catchments and other industry representatives and thanked the growers for their financial contribution and hard work in the Reef Rescue program.

“This is some of the most innovative farming I’ve seen so far. Not only are they improving the productivity and profitability of their own properties, but they are showing other farmers in the region the benefits of these smarter technologies,” Mr Burke said.

Reef Catchments CEO Rob Cocco said with the first year of Reef Rescue now behind us, there was no better time to reflect on its outstanding success.

Kirsten Livermore said Reef Rescue was a win-win situation for the local waterways in the region and the local industry they support. It was fantastic to see the commitment to the protection of the Great Barrier Reef being shown by local land managers.

 

   The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Honourable Tony Burke MP discussing Reef Rescue with Phillip Trendell from Reef Catchments.