On-ground projects that benefit water quality and long-term productivity of farming enterprises: Working with landholders
A great initiative to protect our precious water sources through on-ground collaboration with landholders and land managers is helping to ensure a sustainable and resilient future for the Logan, Warrill, and Upper Brisbane catchments and their ecosystems.
Since 2019, we have been working alongside landholders to dial up our water source protection efforts and improve land management practices in the Logan, Warrill, and Upper Brisbane catchments.
The Multi Catchment Source Water Protection Program, funded by Seqwater and led by Healthy Land & Water, joins forces with landholders to tackle risks to water quality near seven water treatment plants. These plants provide clean drinking water for the region, with four located on the Logan River, and the remaining three on the Upper Brisbane River, Canungra Creek, and Reynolds Creek.
The work aims to lower water quality risks through investment in fencing, better stock water setups, erosion control, more vegetation, and tackling pesky weeds.
What’s particularly remarkable about this project is the support and active participation of landholders, without whom we would not have been able to achieve the outcomes we have since the program began.
Two shining examples of collaboration
Let’s look at two properties we’ve been working with to get an idea of some of the solutions that can be adopted to benefit both landholders and their local waterways.
Cattle breeding farm - more water points for cattle to improve water quality
This property, dedicated to cattle breeding, is bound by two streams on the southern and western sides. Divided into three paddocks, it originally had one bore providing troughed water to stock in one of the paddocks.
With only one watering point serving three paddocks, cattle were seeking water in the nearby streams, spending time in and around the riparian area and putting water quality at greater risk.
Through an investigation of the property and an interview with the landholder, we worked together to come up with the best solution for the operation, drawing on their insights and past experiences. This allowed us collectively to determine that the existing bore had the capacity to provide the watering needs of the entire stock.
The landholder recalled that when the property was more intensively farmed, and there were more working water points, the cattle showed a preference for the troughs, at times crossing the streams to access them.
There is also good supporting evidence that providing off-stream watering reduces the time animals spend in river environs and that this in turn reduces bacterial levels (E. coli for example) and improves stream bank stability.
Using all this intel, it was decided to install additional water troughs on the property in known cattle loafing areas. To do this, we needed to lay a series of underground pipes to deliver water from the existing bore to the four new water points and install two head tanks to secure supply to the new troughs.
The curious cattle checking out the new water points.
The additions were a success, helping to ensure the cattle have easy access to water at all times and thereby minimising their potential impact on water quality in the nearby streams and riparian areas.
Turf farm - revegetation to protect riverbanks from erosion, increase stream water quality, and build flood resilience
This turf farm is made up of two land parcels that border the Logan River. The property was affected by floods following Cyclone Debbie in March 2017 as well as the floods in the early 2020s. After both disasters, other funding sources provided the resources to undertake on-ground works to repair erosion and protect the riverbanks from further damage, reducing the sediment load entering the Logan River.
When we interviewed the land manager in mid-2023, their main concern was a portion of the river bend that had become unstable. The 2022 floods triggered the need for additional on-ground works in this section to abate further bank erosion and sediment runoff.
Both erosion and sediment runoff affect water quality for the community and Seqwater’s treatment plants by increasing the turbidity of the stream. This decrease in water quality also impacts aquatic ecosystems.
After mapping and investigating the property, the strategy adopted for this area (220 m) was extensive revegetation with native trees, shrubs, and Lomandra across the bank, in combination with some Vetiver grass hedges to increase stability.
Jute mats and guards were used to protect the new plants from predation from wildlife.
To give the new vegetation the best chance of survival and to encourage natural regeneration, we undertook a rigorous watering and maintenance schedule at the site for the first ten weeks. Thanks to all this hard work, we are already seeing great results!
By establishing deep-rooted woody and herbaceous vegetation across the site, the long-term risk of bank erosion and resulting stream turbidity during flooding events will be reduced.
Holistic approach using several solutions
These are two great examples of initiatives that support landholders in their agricultural enterprises while improving water quality. Taking a holistic approach to the issues has allowed us to develop a set of tailored, synergistic solutions that can be applied according to land use and threats to water quality.
Here’s a glimpse:
- Riverbank and gully stabilisation through revegetation: By enhancing the natural vegetation along riverbanks and gullies, we can effectively prevent soil erosion and runoff, keeping our water cleaner and clearer.
- Fencing strategies for stream management: The adoption of strategic fencing not only safeguards livestock but also aids in stream management, contributing to improved water quality.
- Off-stream watering points: Installation of off-stream watering points relieves the pressure on the stream and its banks, reducing the risk of contamination.
- Providing shade for stock: Keeping stock away from the riparian zone is essential for water quality.
- Targeted weed control: Weeds can be a nuisance, competing with native vegetation and impacting water quality. This program ensures that weed control measures are tailored to the needs of each property.
- Agricultural practice improvement: By promoting best practices and facilitating peer learning activities, the program helps enhance the long-term productivity of farming enterprises. Adopted changes benefit the land, landholder, and the environment.
Why is this program so important?
Seqwater is the bulk water supplier of potable (i.e. drinking) water in the target catchment areas for this program. This program aims to reduce the risks affecting raw water quality, predominantly sediment, nutrients, and livestock waste deriving from:
- Uncontrolled stock access to streams.
- A lack of riparian vegetation.
- Unmanaged vine and woody weeds in the riparian zone.
- Intensive, floodplain farming (such as turf, dairying, and vegetable production) that doesn’t meet industry best management practices.
Factors like the weather, soil type, and how the land is used all contribute to land degradation. And when the land is in trouble, it affects farming, soil health, and aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
The Multi Catchment Source Water Protection Program provides a multifaceted, multi-benefit solution through:
- Land degradation control: It introduces effective measures to curtail land degradation and preserve soil fertility and structure.
- Flood resilience and repair: Through revegetation and riverbank/gully stabilisation, the program enhances the region's capacity to withstand and recover from floods.
- Agricultural practice improvement: Promoting best practices ensures the long-term sustainability of farming enterprises.
- Water quality enhancement: By reducing the risk of pathogens and nutrient and sediment runoff, the program helps to improve water quality.
Want to know more about the program? Read about it here.
Acknowledgments
This program is funded by Seqwater and forms part of a broader strategy that Seqwater has developed to ensure the capacity for potable water production for a growing South East Queensland population.
This initiative is not just about protecting our precious water sources – it's also about on-ground collaboration with landholders and land managers to foster a sustainable and resilient future for the Logan, Warrill, and Upper Brisbane catchments and their ecosystems.