Queensland horticulture growers helping protect the Great Barrier Reef through practical on-farm action
Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) has welcomed UNESCO's decision not to list the Great Barrier Reef as "in danger", saying the announcement reflects the collective effort being made across Queensland to improve Reef health - including the practical work being undertaken by horticulture growers.
Through the Hort360 Great Barrier Reef Best Management Practice Project, QFVG has been working alongside growers across Reef catchments since 2018 to benchmark and improve on-farm practices using Hort360 - Australia's leading best management practice platform for horticulture, developed and owned by QFVG.
Funded through the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program, the project is supporting growers to adopt practical farm management practices that improve water quality while maintaining productive and profitable farming businesses.
To date, more than 58,500 hectares of horticultural production have been benchmarked through the project across 470 horticulture businesses.
This represents around 73 per cent of the approximately 80,000 hectares of horticultural production within the Great Barrier Reef catchment, demonstrating the Queensland horticulture industry's strong commitment to continuous improvement and protecting the environment in which it operates.
QFVG Chief Executive Officer Scott Kompo-Harms said growers have been quietly delivering meaningful environmental outcomes through practical, science-based improvements on farm.
"UNESCO's announcement is welcome recognition that Queensland is making progress, and horticulture growers have been an important part of that journey," Mr Kompo-Harms said.
"Queensland growers care deeply about the landscapes they farm. Every day they're making practical decisions that improve water quality, build healthier soils and ensure nutrients stay where they're needed - on the farm, not in our waterways."
"Hort360 gives growers a practical way to assess their farm practices, identify opportunities for improvement and track progress over time.”
"As the industry's best management practice platform, Hort360 is used by growers across Australia to support continuous improvement. Through the Hort360 Great Barrier Reef Best Management Practice Project alone, more than 58,500 hectares have been benchmarked, demonstrating the Queensland horticulture industry's commitment to protecting Reef water quality."
As part of the Queensland Government-funded project, QFVG also delivered The Best Practice Fund, providing targeted financial support to help growers implement practical improvements that reduce sediment and nutrient losses while strengthening farm productivity and resilience.
Through the Fund, over $681,000 in project investment leveraged $1.186 million in grower contributions, delivering almost $1.87 million in on-ground practice change across priority Reef catchments.
Across 27 grower-led projects, growers implemented practical improvements including:
Sediment retention basins
Erosion repair and contouring
Inter-row seeding and cover cropping
Precision nutrient application
Improved drainage systems
Compost application and soil health improvements
Reduced tillage practices
These projects have supported practice change across approximately 2,450 hectares, with 23 of the 27 projects specifically focused on reducing sediment movement from farms into Reef catchments.
Mr Kompo-Harms said the environmental outcomes being achieved are also strengthening the long-term sustainability of Queensland horticulture businesses.
"Good environmental management and good farm management go hand in hand," he said.
"These projects are helping growers improve soil health, use fertiliser more efficiently, better manage water and strengthen the productivity of their businesses."
"The success of this project demonstrates what can be achieved when growers are given practical tools, trusted information and the opportunity to invest in improvements that benefit both their farms and the environment."
The Hort360 Great Barrier Reef Best Management Practice Project continues to support growers through benchmarking, technical extension, workshops and on-farm demonstrations, while sharing practical success stories from growers across Reef catchments.
The project has also produced a series of grower video case studies showcasing the practical changes being made on farm, alongside a Hall of Fame recognising growers who have achieved Hort360 Reef Certification.
For more information about the Hort360 Great Barrier Reef Best Management Practice Project, including grower case studies, project outcomes and the Hort360 Hall of Fame, visit: www.qfvg.com.au/gbr
