Photo: Black swans rely on Horseshoe Lagoon as a breeding site and a safe place to teach their young to fly.

LANDSCAPE RESILIENCE PROJECT (2016-2017) “Improving Coastal Wetland Ecosystems Through Improved Understanding of Best Irrigation Management Practice in the Lower Burdekin” (Landscape Resilience) builds on the success of the previous Landscape Resilience project (2013-2016), which supported 65 cane farmers with information on their water and nutrient use, and the connection between their farms and local wetlands. The project is now centered around Horseshoe Lagoon. NQ Dry Tropics continues to work with our project partner, Burdekin Bowen Integrated Floodplain Management Advisory Committee Inc. (BBIFMAC), along with cane farmers, SunWater and Burdekin Shire Council.

Why the Horseshoe Lagoon wetland system? • The lagoon is an essential water resource for the community. • Run-off from cane farms and other properties enters the lagoon via a SunWater channel and adjacent land. • It’s an important bird breeding and habitat area, especially during dry periods. • Large areas of shallow coastal wetlands in between the land and the coast downstream from the lagoon are choked up with cumbungi – a native bulrush. • These shallow coastal wetlands lead to the internationally-important coastal wetlands of Bowling Green Bay, and then on to the Great Barrier Reef.

Why cane farming and wetlands? • The cumbungi chokes downstream from Horseshoe Lagoon are caused by permanently waterlogged soils from nutrient-rich run-off.

• Pigs and coots live in the chokes and cause damage to agriculture and the environment. • The chokes reduce the ability of the shallow coastal wetlands to slow down, absorb and filter water coming off the land; and reduce fish movement and bird habitats. • Stopping excess water leaving the lagoon will help dry out the downstream cumbungi choke. • A choke has been found to retreat if allowed to dry out for about four months.

How are we going to do it? Photo: BBIFMAC field officer, Dennis Stubbs, and NQ Dry 1. Farmer participation (BBIFMAC): Tropics project officer, Lisa Pulman, with a KP sampler which Share information with cane farmers regarding nutrients in run-off; compare samples irrigation and rainfall run-off as it happens. irrigation run-off and rainfall run-off; improving farm irrigation and nitrogen compare volume of water applied and management. volume lost in run-off; and deep drainage • Improving coastal wetlands can also help calculations. improve the quality of water leaving the 2. Wetland monitoring (NQ Dry Tropics): land. Measure water level changes and • Important parts of the Great Barrier Reef volumes through one monitoring device ecosystem also include: in Horseshoe Lagoon and two located • mangroves, which are nursery downstream (see map). sites for fish including barra and mangrove 3. Weed management: Involve landholders jack; prawns and crabs; and with Burdekin Shire Council’s Riparian • seagrass meadows, which Management Agreement programme, provide habitat and feeding grounds for which controls water weeds in the lagoon. dugongs and marine turtles. 4. Communication: Hold two community events and distribute two publications to share information with the community.

What has it got to do with the Reef? • The Burdekin Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP) found that the best way to reduce nitrogen run-off to the Reef is by

How are we monitoring the wetland system (see map)? 1. A “lagoon diver’’ at the outflow point of the lagoon will measure the natural fluctuations throughout the year. This data will provide information for future management decisions including keeping the lagoon at optimum levels for people, birds and fish. 2. A “fishway device” will tell us how much water is travelling through the fishway. 3. A “cumbungi diver” will tell us the depth of water in this area, and when it is wettest and driest.

Where can I get more information? NQ Dry Tropics Project Officer: Lisa Pulman 0405 826 099 [email protected]

BBIFMAC Field Officer: Dennis Stubbs 0488 785 968 [email protected]

Photo: Dennis and Lisa run water samples from Horseshoe Lagoon through the ‘Real Time Water Quality Trailer’ to test water quality.

Photo: The rainfall simulator helps farmers to better understand the movement of nitrogen in the soil during rainfall events.

Map: Project area and location of wetland monitoring devices.

WHO ARE WE? NQ Dry Tropics is an independent, not-for-profit, non-governmental organisation that supports the Burdekin Dry Tropics community to sustainably manage its land and water. Established in 2000, we enjoy excellent relationships with community groups, landowners, local and national industry bodies, and all levels of government. HOW DOES NQ DRY TROPICS HELP PROTECT WETLANDS? NQ Dry Tropics works with the community to help improve understanding and awareness of water quality and land management issues. We encourage practice change, and promote the benefits of restoration and revegetation. We work with many stakeholders, including utilities, cane growers, and other landholders in the region to help identify and manage priority wetlands so that they function as they should. This work provides our community with more opportunities to enjoy these areas for fishing and boating, and helps to maintain and boost commercial seafood stocks. Ultimately, repairing and restoring waterways and wetlands contributes to a healthier and more resilient Great Barrier Reef, one of our nation’s most precious icons and the jewel in the crown of Queensland’s natural assets. FOR MORE INFORMATION For more information, please visit our website at: www.nqdrytropics.com.au; or contact a staff member from the NQ Dry Tropics’ Waterways, Wetlands and Coasts team on 07 4724 3544 or email [email protected].

TEL 07 4724 3544 I 12 WILLS STREET TOWNSVILLE CITY 4810 I WWW.NQDRYTROPICS.COM.AU