The Reef Trust Partnership is a six-year $443 million investment established by the Australian Government and the Great Barrier Reef Foundation in 2018. The program includes $201 million to improve the quality of waters flowing to the Great Barrier Reef, with $20 million invested in the Lower Burdekin region to support a range of projects targeted at aiming to significantly reduce dissolved organic nitrogen (DIN) and pesticide runoff. These initiatives embody a variety of activities, all unified in their goal to improve farming practices, crucial for the sustainability of the reef and the farming community.

These projects are devoted to helping growers maximise their profitability through precision agriculture data and extension programs. Furthermore, the initiatives include customised farm pesticide management plans, end-of-field water quality monitoring, and strategies designed to boost nitrogen and irrigation use efficiencies. The local NRM organisation, NQ Dry Tropics, has the responsibility of overseeing the program delivery, serving as the Regional Program Manager and Partnership Coordinator.

We encourage sugarcane farmers in the Lower Burdekin region who are seeking further information about individual projects to contact Aglantis or explore the links provided below. These links direct you to the dedicated delivery providers associated with the Reef Trust Partnership, who are instrumental in carrying out these projects.

Aglantis is dedicated to supporting growers with Major Grants Project applications and offering extension services to implement proposed practice changes. This assistance includes the calibration of irrigation scheduling equipment, record-keeping, and thorough verification and validation of the effectiveness of these improvements, all in an effort to promote sustainable farming and protect our precious Great Barrier Reef.

Great Barrier Reef Foundation Reef Trust Partnership – Lower Burdekin Water Quality Program

Major Grants Project - $1.5 million

Burdekin Irrigation Project - $6.9 million

Precision to Decision - $3.2 million

Project Bluewater 2 - $2.4 million

Home / Sustainable Agriculture /  2020 - 2024

Lower Burdekin Water Quality Program ($20.4M)

Great Barrier Reef Foundation - Reef Trust Partnership