Annual report 2015 16

Terrain NRM

Wet Tropics

Annual Report 2015/16

www.terrain.org.au

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07) 4043 8000 |

2 Stitt St, Innisfail Qld 4860

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info@terrain.org.au

Message from the Chair I write this as Terrain’s acting chair, while Mike Berwick is providing the Regional Group Collective’s Executive role while CEO Andrew Drysdale is on long service leave. Shows we are a flexible and supportive bunch in Natural Resource Management (NRM).

This Annual General Meeting (AGM) marks a year since Terrain’s Wet Tropics Plan for People and Country was launched, and it’s been a year that validated Terrain’s flexible, web-based approach to planning as things continue to change quickly, with release of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) Water Science Taskforce report by Dr Geoff Garrett and the Queensland Government’s commitment of $90 million towards its ambitious water quality targets. As I write, Terrain is shortlisted to manage a Major Infrastructure Project as part of this initiative, and I sincerely hope that the AGM will see us as the preferred tenderer for the Wet Tropics. The Federal and Queensland government’s sixth report card on GBR health shows many positive long term improvements have been achieved, but the anticipated cost of $8.2 billion to achieve Reef Plan targets by 2025 is a quantum leap from current investment. However, this figure is actually half what some expected, which is a result of the investment and effort already made by government and community. So I would describe past efforts as extremely good value for money.

Terrain continues to face challenging times financially, but I suspect this is the norm rather than the exception for the world of community NRM, but careful management by Terrain staff continues to keep us in the best possible position we can expect. It was nice to see this diligence and competence reflected in our CEO Carole Sweatman being awarded the Australian Institute of Management’s Not for Profit Leader of the Year Award 2016 for the State of Queensland.

Terrain continues to investigate better ways of delivering community NRM, and this year signed an Memorandum of Understanding with our neighbour organisations, Cape York NRM and Northern Gulf Resource Management, to share services and reduce costs. This is part of a state-wide movement towards regional alliances, driven in part by government pressure to reduce costs, and in part so NRM bodies can better deliver services. Community NRM needs to become part of everyday business – a fine line to tread without becoming either a legislative or bureaucratic organisation. We will avoid this by making sure you, our members, and the broader community we are all part of, are informed and supportive of the decisions Terrain’s board makes on your behalf.

PS from Mike The October 2016 Biological Farming Conference, brilliantly organised by Wet Tropics Soilcare and Fiona George with extensive support from other Terrain staff and many others, has given us some keys to the transformational change in farm practice that could bring an end to the loss of soluble Nitrogen and pesticides from intensive agriculture.

Farmers from around Australia and across the world told a packed audience of the transformational change to their economic fortunes and to the environment by building soil health. Reports from farmers in cropping, horticulture, cane, grazing and broad acre grains, who have reduced or eliminated synthetic fertiliser and chemical use, told a consistent story, backed by evidence of impressive yields and higher profits.

Carole and her staff for their unfailing dedication.

The practice change, led by farmers, now backed by science, has matured to commercial reality, able to deliver a win all round: to farm gate profit, environment, human health and local economies.

Keith Noble

Mike Berwick

My thanks to Mike for the opportunity to Chair in his absence, to other board members for their commitment and wisdom, and to

Acting Chair, Terrain NRM

Chair, Terrain NRM 1

Message from the CEO How time flies. It’s almost a year now since many of us gathered for the launch of the Wet Tropics Plan for People and Country. That uplifting event was just the beginning for this new plan, and more work has been undertaken to refine the product, develop new decision support tools and finalise the monitoring and evaluation strategy. Make sure you take a look now and then (www.wettropicsplan.org.au). It also gives me great pleasure to announce that this plan is a finalist in the Planning Institute of Australia Awards for Planning Excellence – Queensland.

It’s also been (another) really big year for our reef-wide Reef Alliance partnership – which brings together Industry and NRM bodies from reef regions to work collectively on improving water quality and the health of the Great Barrier Reef. Terrain was a key driver behind an integrated Reef Alliance application to deliver the Australian Government’s Reef Trust III investment, and for the first time, one contract has been awarded for the collaborative delivery of this important program. This is an amazing feat, and is a clear demonstration of the strength of the crossregional partnerships that we have worked for so many years to build.

This region will benefit from almost $10 million of investment from Reef Trust III over the coming 3 years, the majority of which will be delivered through our fantastic Wet Tropics Sugar Industry Partnership (WTSIP), of which Terrain is a member. On behalf of WTSIP, Terrain is in the final stages of the tender process to manage the Queensland Government’s Major Integrated Project investment in the Wet Tropics, which will see around $15 million invested in the Tully and Johnstone catchments. It is amazing what is possible through strong partnerships!

Amongst all of this, Terrain has continued to facilitate the roll-out of the Community Grants program, work with partners on priority weeds, support Traditional Owners to do great work on country, and build great partnerships that attract investment in protecting the exceptional natural values of this region. One great highlight of the year was World Cassowary Day, which attracted over 40 community groups, and was officiated by the Threatened Species Commissioner Gregory Andrews.

As always, I am inspired by the fantastic work our staff do out there amongst the community, bringing people together and getting great things happening. But I am equally humbled by the passion and dedication of our partners and community. The appreciation that you have shown for the work we do as a regional body is what keeps driving us to do even better. My sincerest thanks to the whole team for a great year.

Carole Sweatman Chief Executive Officer

2

Terrain’s Mission To make a difference by inspiring and enabling action to improve the health, wellbeing and lasting value of Wet Tropics landscapes and communities.

Terrain Board Terrain’s Board sets direction and guides Terrain towards achieving its goals. The Board is appointed to:     

provide purpose, leadership, direction and a strategic vision ensure all legal and financial responsibilities are met and that finances are sound and operations are legal carry out risk management select and oversee the Chief Executive Officer evaluate and improve its own effectiveness

Through the establishment and implementation of Terrain's 2012-2017 Strategic Plan, the Board seeks to ensure that Terrain's legacy is a stronger and healthier Wet Tropics community and landscape.

Terrain’s Board Directors for 2015-16 were:       

Chair – Mike Berwick Keith Noble Julia Leu Ken Atkinson Peter Rowles Ryan Donnelly Allison Halliday

Terrain Staff Terrain’s key role is to support the implementation of regional NRM priorities by supporting community, facilitating funding and integrating effort through partnerships and collaboration. The Terrain team for 2015/16 were:    

Chief Executive Officer, Carole Sweatman Manager Corporate Services, Michelle Nusse Manager NRM Strategy & Community Partnerships, Penny Scott Communications, Kathryn Dryden/Elaine Seager, Dianne Mauloni

Corporate Services Team     

Kelly O’Kane Bronwen Hickman Colleen McIntosh Vicki Mamara Marin Haldane

NRM Strategy & Knowledge Team  

Gary Searle (Team Leader) Sharlene Blakeney

Community Partnerships Team       

Bart Dryden (Team Leader) Tony O’Malley Gavin Kay Jacqui Richards Evizel Seymour Steve Bailey Fiona George

Reef Team       

Deb Bass (Team Leader) Bruce Corcoran Fiona Barron Michael Nash Michael Waring Maureen Colgrave Deb Harrison 3

The Wet Tropics Region

At a Glance, 2015/16 Summary It’s been a busy year! Some of the highlights include…

Contracted and supported community grants valued at $500,399 Organised exciting events across the region including… o o o o

World Cassowary Day (+2000 participants), a 4-day cross-regional Innovation Bus Tour for 60 farmers, An innovative Agriculture Forum attracting 50 farmers 2 Steam weeding workshops

Finalised and launched the exciting new Wet Tropics Plan for People and Country including building 6 tailored mapping portals for community groups to map their projects Provided advice and support to 59 community groups and Traditional Owner groups/organisations Supported 23 farmers to trial innovative practices that will result in improved water quality and soil health.

Provided 233 grants to landholders through the Reef Program, 84 of which were new to the program, totaling $3,827,554.

Funded training and extension for 116 farmers Played a lead role in the negotiation and development of a reef-wide Reef Alliance bid for the new Reef Trust Phase III investment.

Provided funding and facilitation support to 15 projects resulting in 1,789 ha of weed treatment Prepared 16 innovative agriculture case studies, showcasing the amazing work of the Wet Tropics farmers!

…and so much more!

Community Financials 2015/16 9.14% Overhead

19

122

Incoming Investor Contracts

Outgoing contracts with partners

Terrain Income 2015/16 (Total Income $10M) Australian Government NLP & NRM Plan 12% Queensland Government NRM 7%

Australian Government Reef Trust Phase III & Reef Trust Tender 15%

136

61%

Grants to landholders & community groups

Expenditure to Community Groups, Partners & Landholders

Terrain Expenditure 2015/16 Board Expenses 1%

Other Programs 7%

Community Groups and Partner Grants 21%

Australian Government Reef Program 59%

Project Delivery Costs 15% Genearl Administration 4%

Employee Expenses 19% Landholder Grants 40%

Program Delivery Australian Government - National Landcare Programme, Regional Delivery Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) Through supporting effective partnerships, leveraging investment and building capacity and awareness, this project is delivering on the Recovery Plans for Mabi Forest, Mahogany Glider and the Southern Cassowary. The project also provides effective planning and action for the protection and enhancement of Littoral Rainforest and Broad Leaf Tea-Tree.

Progress during this year Terrain Community NRM Grants

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Supported nine community NRM groups with facilitation and capacity building to deliver quality projects for MNES. Contracted and administered $239,482 worth of grants focusing on MNES priorities.

World Cassowary Day – “Celebrating Cassowaries and their Friends” – the Cassowary Coast’s Community Event of the Year!

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Played a central role in designing and organising the event.

Secured wide ranging sponsorship and support for the event, including the participation of the Threatened Species Commissioner, and official ABC sponsorship of the event.

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Broadened the event’s focus beyond cassowaries to include other threatened species, encouraging greater participation – 45 groups had stalls and over 2,000 people attended.

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Maximised the exposure for threatened species, community groups and Traditional Owners by hosting a three day regional field trip for the Threatened Species Commissioner.

World Cassowary Day won an Australia Day award for the Local Community event of the year.

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Cassowary Vehicle Strike Solutions Strategy

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Built community awareness with excellent media exposure regarding this key threat to cassowaries.

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Improved cassowary incident data by facilitating the recording of significant incidents, assisting in mapping and interpreting the collective data and presenting the mapping to stakeholders.

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Influenced major improvements to cassowary road safety in road kill hotspots through our relationship with the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

Threatened Species Commissioner at World Cassowary Day 2016

Terrain invited the Threatened Species Commissioner to the Wet Tropics to participate in World Cassowary Day and visit some of the MNES project sites in the region for Mabi, Cassowary and Mahogany Glider.

“I can say with the cassowary and the mahogany glider, that an integral part of the decision (to list those species as federal priority species for recovery by 2020) was the very strong community support for both species.

I was in Far North Queensland at Mission Beach for World Cassowary Day and I haven’t been to any community event for threatened species where there were more people from such diverse backgrounds united around a threatened animal as I was at World Cassowary Day” (Gregory Andrews, Threatened Species Commissioner)

MNES Recovery Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation

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Provided essential technical support to Recovery Teams including supporting strategic planning, communications and practical on-ground works.

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Supported the Mahogany Glider Recovery Team to secure Australian Government endorsement of the recovery plan

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Set up a custom mapping portal and online document library for the MGRT to facilitate monitoring and evaluation of actions and progress.

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Improved responses to threatened species in the region by bringing together all Wet Tropics recovery teams to learn from each other, and explore tools and processes.

‘Tame the Flame’ – Fire Management in Mahogany Glider Habitat

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Increased strategically-located landholder capacity to understand and implement appropriate fire regimes for property, productivity and environmental outcomes.

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Brought together key experts to undertake practical, property-specific training and planning.

Supported Traditional Owners to implement cultural burns on private property in partnership with landholders, and monitor changes to the vegetation over time.

Green Army for Mabi Forest Management

‘Connecting the Dots’ – Landholder Incentives for Mahogany Glider Habitat With $30,000 of funding from the Australian Government Threatened Species Strategy, Terrain:

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Reduced threats to Mahogany Gliders by facilitating on-ground works in a priority corridor.

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Promoted landholder stewardship on private land, including a participatory corridor and project planning workshop with 14 participants.

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Provided financial incentives and technical/coordination support to eleven landholders to deliver on ground outcomes for mahogany gliders.

Through Terrain’s facilitation efforts, this project leveraged three times the value of the grant in cash and in-kind contributions from landholders and partners.

Green Army for Mabi Forest Management

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In collaboration with community groups, provided on-going support to a Green Army team focusing on ground action for critically endangered Mabi Forest.

Policy Influence

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Green Army team behind a small pile of Turbina.

The teams have achieved:  Planting – 3.2ha of trees at three sites (15

different species) 

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Maintenance – 63.4 ha – including removal of woody, herbaceous weeds, Turbina & glycine vines, installing frost guards, removing salvinia from Quincan crater (lake).

Rubbish removal – three tonnes from Priors and little Priors creek.

Surveyed 120ha for weeds.

 Provided input into a national threatened species recovery project prospectus, upon the request of the Threatened Species Commissioner.



Contributed to threatened species recovery planning nationally by participating in the National Threatened Species Recovery Team Workshop.

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Contributed to a local planning scheme to enhance habitat protection for threatened species.

Coordinated a community response to the proposed changes to the Qld Vegetation Management Act.

Community NRM Groups Terrain works with existing and emerging Wet Tropics community groups to help strengthen their capacity in technical knowledge, prioritisation and engagement.

In addition, Terrain provided funds to groups to undertake priority projects. This assisted them to remain active and inspired, whilst creating new opportunities for participation and using new tools to increase interest.

The project hopes to build a long-term legacy of an engaged, inspired and active community NRM sector which is well equipped to take local action that delivers on national and regional NRM objectives.

Progress during this year Terrain Small Community NRM Grants

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Contracted and administered $260,917 worth of community grants focusing on local issues and priorities.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Brokerage

Local Partnerships for Planning and Prioritisation

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As part of the activation of the Wet Tropics Plan for People and Country mapping portal, supported groups to utilise new spatial planning and prioritisation tools, and contribute to the regional mapping portal.

Supported the establishment of several new partnership arrangements, including one for delivering a mangrove offsets project to the value of $59,000.

Provided extensive technical and coordination support to community groups in managing and directing Green Army teams in the region, to ensure they deliver in priority locations, in a quality way and through productive partnerships.

Capacity Building and Knowledge brokerage

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Provided capacity building and advisory support to 47 Community NRM Groups through 131 engagement activities.

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Engaged 1,135 participants in awareness raising, technical advice, capacity building, partnership building and engagement activities, including 89 Traditional Owners, 216 youth and 28 farmers.

Tree planting with students from Trinity Anglican School

Supporting Community Group Use of the Knowledge Management Portal

Supporting Community Group use of the Knowledge Management Portal

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Built six tailored mapping portals for groups, including providing training and support in their use. These groups now have their own custom-built web mapping tools, ensuring their on-ground efforts can now be recognised when tracking regional progress against the NRM Plan.

Mulgrave Landcare have already entered shapefiles for all of their restoration sites.

Regional Landcare Facilitator The Wet Tropics Regional Landcare Facilitator (RLF) maintains and strengthens partnerships to develop leadership and improve community skills, knowledge, engagement and awareness of NRM and encourage uptake of best management practices. The RLF has a primary focusing on supporting innovative farmers through engagement, communications and training.

Progress during this year National Biological Farming Conference Terrain assisted the newly formed Wet Tropics Soilcare Inc group to secure a $50,000 Australian Government grant to host the annual National Biological Farming Conference in Cairns late in 2016. In addition, the Wet Tropics RLF has taken a lead role in preparing for this event, including securing sponsorship and much of the event planning and coordination.

Digging Deeper: Round Two Digging Deeper (Round Two) has been the major focus of the RLF’s work for the past two years. Funded jointly through the Australian Government’s RLF Program and the Queensland Government’s Natural Resource Management Program, the project identified causes and potential solutions for on-farm management issues through intensive training and extension, working directly with a cluster of 32 farmers managing a total of 2,422ha from a range of industries.

Digging Deeper: Round Two and beyond

Digging Deeper: Round One (follow-up) Terrain has continued to follow up with participants from the first round of the program to measure its impact, and continue to assist them on their journey of improvement.

“I’ve learnt a lot about soil health and the need for organic matter from Terrain NRM’s soil health workshops and field days. This knowledge has given me the confidence. I am achieving more carbon in the soil due to improved root structure of the grass, and my application costs are minimal with small equipment being used to apply the liquid solution which is free for me to produce (apart from setup costs).”

(Digging Deeper participant)

Stephen Calcagno and Joseph Marano doing a texture test on an Ingham soil at a Digging Deeper Two on-farm session.

Cross-regional Innovation Bus Tour Terrain instigated and organised a cross-regional bus tour to bring 60 Wet Tropics and Burdekin innovative farmers together, to learn from one another and make connections.

The four day tour covered 1,600km, leaving most of the participating farmers feeling enriched and motivated to step outside the square and try new and improved farming techniques at home.

Farmers from a range of industries participated in the tour, donating a significant amount of their time, as well as their own financial resources, to this opportunity to learn and share.

RLFs from Reef Catchments and NQ Dry Tropics join Terrain’s RLF Fiona George on a cross-regional bus tour.

As a result of the tour, they gained a better understanding of water quality, a greater knowledge of soil health, updates on new techniques and a network of friends to share information with.

Innovative Agriculture in the Wet Tropics Terrain’s Innovative Agriculture Program integrates the resources of a range of programs, enabling delivery of comprehensive and seamless support to farmers to experiment and test innovative farming methods. The National Landcare Program provides essential facilitation, technical advice and tailored support to complement incentive grants through programs such as Reef Trust.

Progress during this year Wet Tropics Agricultural Innovation Strategy Over the past two years, in consultation with farmers, industry and agricultural extension professionals, Terrain compiled the Agricultural Innovation Strategy which identifies barriers and drivers at each stage in the innovation cycle – from idea to mainstream uptake. The strategy identifies what support is needed to overcome these barriers and support new practices to move through the innovation cycle to broader adoption.

Innovative Agricultural Forum

Tailored support to individual farmers During this year, support has been provided to 23 farmers trialling innovative practices that will result in improved water quality and soil health. Support has included:  Knowledge brokerage and connecting farmers to relevant technical expertise in the region.  Connecting innovative farmers to one another through establishing formal and informal networks.  Assisting farmers to secure grants  Providing dedicated and tailored technical support to innovative farmers, including documenting the journey of these farmers and the findings of trials.  Communicating the exciting achievements of farmers to the broader community (e.g. a monthly feature in Rural Insights, e-newsletter articles, case studies).

Bringing Farmers Together

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Innovative Agriculture Forum: Terrain brought together 50 farmers and industry personnel to learn from one another, brainstorm challenges and opportunities and strengthen the innovation network by creating a safe space for information to be shared.

The event also included targeted skill building sessions.

Soil Science in the Paddock Seminar: More than 50 participants benefited from an interactive soil science seminar, featuring presentations by highly regarded scientists Dr John Armour and Dr Tony Pattison. This event celebrated International Year of Soils. Terrain took the lead in the coordination and facilitation of this event, which was undertaken in collaboration with Northern Gulf and Cape York NRM

One of the most important parts of the day was the opportunity for farmers to hear from each other about the work that they are doing, to "cross fertilise" between industries, to borrow ideas from one industry to the other, and to gain confidence and renew optimism that they are on the right track.

Hearing from the scientists at the Soil Science in the Paddock Seminar.

Traditional Owner Support and Engagement Terrain aims to strengthen the leadership and capacity of regional and sub-regional Traditional Owner groups across the Wet Tropics region to effectively plan for and deliver their aspirations for Country and contribute to broader NRM outcomes.

Key components of the project are supporting and facilitating meaningful engagement and more opportunities in managing Country, developing skills for strong leadership and governance, integrating Traditional Owner interests and knowledge into NRM business across the region and supporting Traditional Owners in identifying and pursuing economic and business development opportunities related to natural and cultural resource management.

Progress during this year Individual support for Traditional Owner groups

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Provided capacity building support to 23 Traditional Owner groups.

In partnership with the Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA), ran a targeted and strategic process for acquiring advice on the development of a collaborative region-wide Traditional Owner support program, including 12 one-on-one interviews with key TO leaders as well as a synthesis workshop. This resulted in the identification of five key areas of focus: 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

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An evaluation and next steps in relation to progress since the “Which Way our Cultural Survival” report was prepared in 1998 (WTMA to take the lead); Sharing knowledge and skills through a networking, capacity building and mentoring program (Terrain to take the lead) Facilitating stronger partnerships for working on country (Terrain to take the lead) Supporting planning for economic advancement (WTMA to take the lead); Telling the story of Traditional Owner achievements through communications (WTMA and Terrain).

Assisted with the development of two Management Plans for Traditional Owner country.

Facilitated an innovative partnership between cane farmers and Traditional Owners for the restoration of culturally significant wetlands.

Provided targeted capacity building support to Traditional Owners in the use of technology, in particular the use of the Wet Tropics Plan for People and Country Mapping Portal.

Supported Traditional Owners to be active participants in mainstream NRM processes such as recovery teams.

Brokered an on-ground works project valued at $59,000 to be delivered by Traditional Owner teams.

Supported two Traditional Owners to attend a cultural burning workshop on Cape York.

Collaboration with the Wet Tropics Management Authority (WTMA) Through the intensive and targeted engagement process, Terrain and WTMA collaboratively identified priority areas in which to support Rainforest Aboriginal People to pursue their aspirations.

Terrain and WTMA are committed to working collaboratively on these priorities, but will also play to the strengths and roles of each organisation.

Strong collaboration with other organisations such as Northern Land Council and state government agencies will be key.

Australian Government Reef Programme: Water Quality Grants and Extension This year was the final year of the Australian Government’s Reef Programme and the eighth year of reef water quality grants delivered to farmers in the Wet Tropics.

The objective of the Reef Programme was to reduce the runoff of nutrients, sediment and pesticides from farms into the Great Barrier Reef lagoon by providing incentive grants, training and extension to farmers. Terrain worked directly with industry organisations and landholders to increase voluntary uptake of improved land management practices through the.

Our Impact Reports for the last 3-year period, as well as the full 8 years of reef investment will be available soon!

Progress during this year   

Contracted 233 grants to landholders (see below for overview of number/value of grants per industry and catchment for 2015/2016).

Attracted 84 new landholders to the program – even after eight years, momentum has been sustained!

Delivered training and extension to 116 farmers in the cane, banana and multicrop industries. Training and extension was delivered to cane farmers by the Wet Tropics Sugar Industry Partnership (see right).

Over the past 3 years…

 1,143 farmers across three industries

The Wet Tropics Sugar Industry Partnership is a cane industry and NRM partnership to deliver water quality, productivity and profitability outcomes in the Wet Tropics.

Members of the WTSIP are:       

CANEGROWERS Cairns Region CANEGROWERS Herbert River CANEGROWERS Innisfail CANEGROWERS Mossman CANEGROWERS Tully CANEGROWERS Tablelands Mossman Agricultural Services

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SRA Terrain NRM Australian Cane Farmers Association (ACFA) Herbert Cane Productivity Services Ltd (HCPSL) Tully Cane Productivity Services Ltd (TCPSL) Tully Sugar Ltd MSF Sugar

received training, and extension was  provided to a total of 821 farmers.   Terrain NRM in partnership with landowners, industry bodies, government and researchers delivered over $9.3 M in grants.  Landowners matched this grant investment with $12.4 M worth of cash and in-kind contributions.

Catchment Daintree Mossman Barron Russell Mulgrave Johnstone Tully Murray Herbert Total projects completed Total grants value No. Applications

Banana

Dairy

Grazing Wet

Multicrop

2

1

21

30

Cane 5 8 17 34 21 57 142

1 5

1

2 1 24

Total 5 34 20 56 28 59 202

$538,780

$2,737,046

$39,157

$65,000

$447,571

$3,827,554

38

200

7

1

33

279

2 3 20 5

2

Reef Alliance and Trust Phase III - an exciting new era of collaboration The Reef Alliance partnership brings together reef-wide NRM regions, industry and the World Wildlife Fund, to collaboratively deliver investment in water quality improvement. The partnership aims to mitigate losses of soil, fertilisers and pesticides from farms, and improve water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.

Terrain has been a key driver behind the establishment of this Alliance over the past couple of years and is excited to report that this Alliance was successful in an integrated bid to deliver Reef Trust III through one project across most reef regions.

Queensland Farmers Federation holds the head contract with the Australian Government on behalf of the Reef Alliance partnership.

Reef Alliance Success Carole Sweatman, Hon Greg Hunt MP, Warren Entsch MP and Reef Alliance members at the Minster’s announcement of the successful Reef Trust III bid, April 2016.

A significant amount of Carole’s time this last year has been spent supporting this partnership, and leading the negotiation and development of the Reef Alliance bid. This new collaborative and harmonised approach to delivery heralds a new era for reef partnerships and programs.

This $45.66M, three year program will bring $10.94M to the Wet Tropics region. The cane component of this investment will be delivered through the Wet Tropics Sugar Industry Partnership, of which Terrain is a member. Through this partnership, Terrain and the cane industry are responsible for the regional delivery of practice change through extension and incentives grants. Innovation is also a key component of the project. Terrain will have region-wide responsibility for data, monitoring and evaluation, and communications support for the Alliance.

Terrain also partners with the Australian Banana Growers Council for regional delivery in bananas.

Reef Trust phase III builds on two previous phases of investment through the Reef Trust and will contribute to the long-term sustainable management of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and the Reef catchments.

Nitrogen use Efficiency Tender (Reef Trust I) The Reef Trust Tender - Wet Tropics is an Australian Government initiative to help improve Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) and farm sustainability on sugar cane farms in the Wet Tropics natural resource management region.

The programme is a component of the Australian Government’s Reef Trust and is delivered in partnership with Terrain NRM. Under the first phase of the Reef Trust Tender—Wet Tropics, a competitive tender process was used to provide financial incentives for sugar cane farmers in the region to undertake management actions that improve nitrogen use efficiency.

Progress during this year    

Engaged 14 cane famers in the program with all projects tracking on time and reporting done.

Ten growers completed Nutrient Management Plans for their farms.

Conducted three site-visits which showed that growers are enthusiastically implementing their projects.

Analysed fertiliser use data showing that growers are on target, having reduced the amount of Nitrogen (N) applied by 86 tonnes.

Other Reef initiatives Game Changer Working in partnership with NQ Dry Tropics and Reef Catchments NRM, Terrain’s Game Changer Project is supporting 20 growers with 25 trials/demonstrations in three districts in the Wet Tropics, who are trialling or demonstrating new practices in nutrient or chemical management, that have shown potential economic and water quality benefits to their local cane industry.

These projects are addressing issues such as improved nitrogen use efficiency through the use of enhanced fertilisers. The growers are supported locally by Herbert Cane Productivity Services Ltd., Mossman Ag Services, TRAP Services, Queensland DAF and Agtrix.

Project Catalyst Project Catalyst is now in its sixth year. The project contributes to the development of innovative farming practices and encourages the widespread adoption of enhanced farm management in the sugar industry to reduce the impact sugar cane farming has on reef water quality. It does this through supporting and documenting the results of trials, in addition to communication and extension activities.

Progress during this year  

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Progress during this year    

Project Catalyst is a partnership between WWF, The Coca-Cola Company and three NRM groups: Reef Catchments, NQ Dry Tropics and Terrain. The Wet Tropics region currently has 15 participating growers.

Variable Rate Technology Project The three year variable rate technology project concluded in June 2016. This project initiated by the Department of Agriculture and Forestry supported vegetable producers in Atherton, Bowen, Bundaberg and South East Queensland to trial precision agricultural technologies. Two multi-cropping farmers on the Atherton Tablelands were supported to trial variable rate management to address yield variability in potatoes.

Supported ten farmers to implement projects, increasing the number of projects to 25.

Collected harvest result data for 11 projects, and chemical efficacy data on two projects and two demonstration sites.

Supported the completion of five new economic analyses undertaken by the Queensland DAFF to determine the positive/negative economic impact on the farming enterprise from trial practices.

Supported the completion of rainfall simulation reports on four projects which assess the amount of fertiliser leaching under different management practices, and different rainfall conditions.

Supported 15 growers in Ingham and Tully in trialling innovative farming practices.

Provided high level support to four core projects.

Supported 40 farmers to learn from others by participating in a field tour which travelled from Cairns to Mackay over three days.

Coordinated the Project Catalyst Cairns Forum which attracted 142 participants, 10 Speakers, and 11 growers presenting results of trials.

Progress during this year   

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Identified a strong case for adopting variable rate management to address yield variability.

Installed soil probes on to monitor differing soil types of the 22ha pivot and pivot-irrigation.

Upgraded yield monitors to wireless data transfer, so that the grower has access to data as a live feed and analysis can be performed as individual fields are harvested rather than at season’s end.

Continued to support growers to develop their precision approaches and skills in processing their own yield and biomass data, and track their farm’s progress across years

Paddock to Reef Terrain provided farming management practice data for 2015/16 to the Paddock to Reef Program collected as part of the Reef water quality grants delivered in the Reef Programme.

Cane industry partners provided data on fertiliser use in cane in the Wet Tropics for benchmarking the level of fertiliser use in the Paddock to Reef Water Quality Risk framework.

Annual narratives on seasonal changes and influences in the cane industry also support the trends in uptake of grants and practice change. This information collectively informed the model for the 2015 Reef Report Card.

Queensland Government NRM Investment Program Traditional Owner Water Quality Grants This project funded Traditional Owners to undertake on-ground projects to protect streambanks, riparian areas and wetlands through pest management and rehabilitation, and assess and improve management in priority wetlands as part of Reef Plan commitments.

The funding that was provided to Traditional Owners recognises the importance of water resources to Indigenous culture, society and livelihoods, and the critical role of Traditional Owners in managing water resources in the region.

This project which has now come to an end, funded 11 Traditional Owner groups and indigenous organisations to deliver 15 water quality improvement projects, resulting in a Terrain’s Traditional Owner Water Quality Grants total of 107.55 ha of improved riparian and wetland supported the Gunggandji ranger team to restore a habitat. cultural site from a dumping ground.

Progress during this year

This year saw the end of this exciting project, with the majority of effort invested in supporting groups to finalise project activities and reporting. In addition, Terrain provided the following support:

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Contracted an additional three projects, to bring the total to 15.

Provided on-going technical support and networking opportunities for Traditional Owners with water quality grants, with examples including providing the latest information on weed management, links to other groups doing similar work and opportunities for training to assist with project delivery.

Produced communications materials showcasing the great works being undertaken including: o two articles; o two case studies; o two Facebook posts; and o Supported three field/community planting events.

Jimmito Harris was the first school-based trainee to work with the Gunggandji Rangers Ranger Coordinator Jimmy Richards said, “Bundi Lake is a site of strong recreational and social significance to the Yarrabah people. The seasonal wetland site has been degraded over many years as a result of being used as an impromptu dumping site for old disused vehicles.”

The group was awarded a water quality project grant of $32,600.

Sustainable Agriculture Through this project, Terrain NRM provides a leadership role with partners to drive the regional agenda toward healthy, productive and resilient agricultural landscapes.

For the past two years, this project has focused on the Digging Deeper program, which over two years, as provided an intensive, targeted extension opportunity for more than 60 farmers from a range of industries.

This has been supplemented by several larger, less intensive events such as Soil Health forums.

Progress during this year This year has focused on providing ongoing support to former Digging Deeper One and Two farmers as well as a number of follow-up events including:  Funding and facilitation support for a newly formed Wet Tropics Soilcare group to run a one day workshop on nitrogen use efficiency and timing (38 attendees).  Preparation of 16 farmer case studies including documenting the challenges faced, their learnings and their future intentions as a result of the Digging Deeper Program.  Facilitated two Steam Weeding technology workshops, showcasing alternatives to the use of herbicides attracting over 50 participants.  Communication products including 1 Facebook post (reaching 3,0975 with 148 comments, reactions and shares), one e-newsletter article reaching 475 people and a newspaper article reaching over 2,000 people.  Stands at the Innisfail Agricultural show and Mareeba Field Day (where more than 200 landholders learned about innovation projects.

Emerging Weeds - A Stitch in Time…

This project has focussed on the management of several priority emerging weeds including Brilliantasia lamium, Stevia ovata, Crofton weed and Hiptage benghalensis over the past three years.

David Hampton discusses innovation ideas with Ben Poggioli at the Mareeba Field Day 2015.

Farmers learn now new steam weeding technology could provide alternative to herbicides.

Catalysing Collection Action!

Terrain’s emerging weeds project has been a catalyst for Local Governments and State Agencies to increase their commitment to the control of emerging weeds. Using Terrain’s newly developed Leverage Tracker tool, the investment (cash and non-cash) of the partners in managing Hiptage for the 14/15 year has been captured and is displayed in the following pie chart. It is notable that the QNRM funding makes up only one fifth of the total budget, representing a leverage value of 1:4.

These plants are currently restricted to isolated locations in the Wet Tropics region. However, CSIRO habitat suitability and spread-potential modelling shows that these weeds have the potential to be a major issue across large areas of Australia, posing a major and widespread threat to both agricultural production and environmental assets.

Terrain’s approach focused on collaboration, providing incentives coupled with facilitation and partnership building support. The incentives were provided on a collaborative rather than a competitive model. This allowed Terrain staff to work closely with the community in each catchment to tailor projects to ensure they were strategic and delivered on-ground outcomes, but also built partnerships and provided the greatest opportunity for co-investment.

”My crews are now going back to historic sites for the first time in 5 years in some instances, and we are finding there is very little recruitment which means that we will be able to declare some areas Hiptage free.” (Douglas Shire Council Snr Officer).

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Through partner incentives and coordination support, delivered the following on-ground works: o Stevia: 43ha of initial treatment (including newly identified infestation) in addition to 22.5ha of follow up treatment. o Hiptage: 28ha of strategic treatment over an impact area of 3,256ha. o Siam in Douglas Shire: 9ha of herbicide treatment and 135ha of treatment using fire.

Continued to facilitate multi-jurisdictional partnerships (local councils, industry, Traditional Owners, community groups and landholders) to ensure effective, efficient and coordinated effort in the battle against priority emerging weeds.

Coordinated multi-partner control taskforces including the treatment of a 7.8ha isolated infestation of Stevia.

Provided data to partners including spatial mapping.

Built engagement and capacity with landholders.

Local weeds, local action, local partnerships

Facilitated the preparation of a Stevia Management Plan.

Produced a range of communication products including newsletters, articles, pest fact brochures, three videos and coordinated five awareness raising events.

Local Action Weeds This project provides incentive funding and facilitation support to communities across the Wet Tropics to tackle invasive species that are locally important, bringing the community together on local issues, building local partnerships and leveraging support.

This is the final year of this three year project. Through funds granted to 19 community groups (25% indigenous), coupled with facilitation and technical support, this project has well exceeded the original target of 600 ha, delivering:

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On-ground action on 12 priority weed species covering 1552.2ha.

Co-investment in the removal of 1,252 feral pigs over 145,000ha.

Progress during this year On-ground works over 575 ha was supported through the following local projects:  Barrett’s lagoon hymenachne management  Eradication of Singapore daisy in the Hinchinbrook Shire  Pond Apple control at Jallum Conservation Park  Weed Management in Lower Herbert Catchment  Hymenachne control in the Lower Mulgrave River  Brilliantasia and Hymenachne control along Whyanbeel Creek  Thunbergia control on the Johnstone River Esplanade  Weeds for Wildlife at Mission Beach  Candle bush control on Babinda Creek  Turbina control along the Barron River  Navua Sedge Management trials  Control of priority garden escapees at Cape Tribulation

This project focused on diversity, local issues and local productive partnerships. An open day to promote the achievements of the Barrett’s Lagoon project attracted 50 people including farmers, Canegrowers, Gulnay TOs, Cassowary Coast Regional Council, National Parks Sports and Racing, QLD Department of Environment and Heritage Protection, Terrain, Girringun, Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland and local residents.

Slamming Siam in the Upper Herbert This project applies a cross-tenure approach to identification and treatment of Siam in the Upper Herbert.

Incentives to targeted landholders are coupled with strategic partnerships with NQ Dry Tropics, Tablelands Regional Council, Powerlink, CSIRO, BQ, QRFS, FNQROC, QPWS and Bush Heritage, to deliver significant coinvestment and coordinated planning and action.

Progress during this year A large infestation of Siam Weed was detected during a helicopter survey of the Lower Herbert River Catchment – the first infestation discovered in the Lower Herbert.

Follow up inspections revealed that this infestation had been present for some time and that it was well established.

As the initial aim of this project was to prevent Siam from spreading from the Upper catchment to the Lower catchment, this discovery has impacted on the support this project has received from Biosecurity Queensland for ongoing management of Siam in the Upper Herbert. Despite this change in the known extent of this weed, the partnership felt that there were still opportunities to reduce the spread into un-infested areas in the Upper Herbert and managing its impact in this area – as well as further spread – remained a priority.

Facilitation effort from Terrain resulted in re-investment of Biosecurity Queensland support in managing Siam in the Upper Herbert with the following achievements

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Aerial survey was completed across in three target areas: o Herbert River [below Sunday creek junction] (93km) o Head Waters of Sunday Creek & Culpa Road (56km) o Blunder Creek and Witherspoon Swamp (43.4km); 22.3 ha of strategic control; Completion of Landholder Weed ID booklets, distributed to 100 graziers, contractors and station owners in the Upper Herbert; and Facilitation of three workshops/awareness raising events in relation to Siam.

It’s not just all about spraying weeds!

Collective strategic planning is critical to ensuring the best use is made of limited control resources, to have the biggest impact on the spread of weeds like Siam.

Australian Government NRM Planning for Climate Change Fund The Wet Tropics Plan for People and Country Custodianship for the Regional NRM Plan is a primary role of Regional Bodies. The Australian Government’s Regional Natural Resource Management Planning for Climate Change Fund provided funding for regional bodies to update their NRM Plans to incorporate climate and carbon sequestration considerations.

Terrain took the opportunity to completely review the regional plan, and embarked on an ambitious journey to create an interactive, web-based plan that can serve multiple sectors as both a guide on regional priorities and as a knowledge brokerage service – the one-stop-shop for what you might want to know about NRM in the Wet Tropics.

Engagement has been a key focus, with over 1,500 individuals involved during the planning process through a wide range of opportunities.

Positive feedback from the community indicates we did a good job!

“I have to say this is the most engaging community workshop I’ve been to.” (Local Landscape workshop participant) “I think the best thing is that I’ve seen some people that I’ve never seen before. You often wonder how on earth we can engage other people in the community. Obviously you (Terrain)…have somehow sourced these people from a wider spectrum.” (Local Landscape workshop participant)

Progress during this year This project formally ended in June 2016. However, planning is an ongoing process and given the new NRM Plan’s interactive and adaptive nature, it will be updated on an ongoing basis. However, this year saw the formal ‘completion’ of the plan. Some highlights include:

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Finalisation of the website and spatial portal (ARC GIS online) functionality and content, although keeping the website updated, fresh and relevant will be ongoing.

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“The

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Launch” – an amazing event attracting around 150

people and held in conjunction with Terrain’s 2015 AGM. The production of a pilot GIS analytical decision support product to support quality spatial prioritisation.

The creation of nine individual community mapping portals, to communities and partners to have access to tailored mapping systems as well as enable ongoing tracking of effort.

The creation of a range of interactive and engaging Story Maps, including for Threatened Species, the Water Quality Improvement Plan and Invasive Species.

The Wet Tropics Plan for People and Country is a finalist in the 2016 Queensland Institute of Planning Awards. Well done team!