Grazier signs up for Reef Rescue

A young grazier is one of the first in the Bundaberg area to sign up to the Australian
Government’s new Reef Rescue program.

29 year old Joe Lyons operates a 980ha grazing and cropping property adjacent to the
Burnett River at Pine Creek, 25km south west of Bundaberg.

After growing up near Glenmorgan in Queensland’s Western Downs and completing
university study, Joe moved in 2002 along with his parents to the Pine Creek property known as “Fig Tree Park.”

He said grazing was an important part of the faming operation.

“We run about 250 head of Braham cross cattle, and grow about 200 acres of fruit trees
including bananas, macadamias and avocados,” he said.

He said the property had around 2km of direct frontage to the Burnett River and that cattle had caused erosion problems in the past.

“There’s no doubt the cattle can have an impact on water quality in the river,” he said.

“The steep river banks are very prone to erosion and the cattle tracks get quite boggy, so you get extra sediment and nutrient in the water,” he said.

Under the Reef Rescue grant, over 2km of fencing will be installed to prevent direct stock
access to the river, and alternative watering points will be created.

Mr Lyons said a Property Management Plan would also be prepared, to help with strategic weed and fire management.

“There’s a big problem with noxious water weeds in the river like water hyacinth and salvinia,” he said.

“Once we restrict the cattle, it will reduce the chance of these weeds getting into our stock dams.”

Mr Lyons said that in time, the steep banks of the river would recover.

“Once the ground cover comes back, they should hold well and help reduce the sediment and nutrient load.”

“That has to help the river and ultimately the Barrier Reef – it’s all about sustainability.”

The Reef Rescue package in the Burnett Mary region is worth $3.063 million this financial year. The partnership consists of the Burnett Mary Regional Group, Bundaberg Sugar Services, Isis and Maryborough Canegrowers, Growcom, Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers, Agforce, Queensland Dairyfarmer’s Organisation, the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee and the Burnett Catchment Care Association.