As part of the Murray–Darling Basin Plan implementation, the Australian Government has allocated funding of up to $180 million in total for Queensland and New South Wales to implement a ‘toolkit’ of environmental works and measures in the northern Basin. SQ Landscapes has been engaged by the Queensland Government to implement the Northern Basin Toolkit Program in Queensland.

The Murray–Darling Basin Authority conducted a four-year review into the northern Basin that resulted in a 70GL reduction to the 390 GL per year water recovery target in the north, on the basis that the New South Wales and Queensland governments adopted a range of ‘toolkit measures’ with assistance from the Australian Government. The Basin Plan was amended in 2018 and at the time, the Basin Commitments Package was also announced, with bilateral support for such initiatives.

The toolkit measures or initiatives complement and support the implementation of the Basin Plan which guides how water is managed and used sustainably in the Basin. (Source: Murray-Darling Basin Authority)

Toolkit projects include measures that achieve environmental outcomes in the Northern Murray-Darling Basin, without water buyback. This could include fish passages, structures to address cold water pollution, restoring priority riverine and riparian habitat and re-establishing threatened native fish species. 

Work on the feasibility of possible projects has commenced to help identify those projects that will maximise environmental benefits for the Northern Basin and ensure that the best projects are being funded. Those interested in receiving more details about the Northern Basin Toolkit Program roll-out should contact SQ Landscapes using the form below.

The Northern Basin Riverbanks Fencing Program is part of the Toolkit measures and is also now underway to support graziers in managing riparian areas for production and environmental benefit as part of the $7.5 million program. The program will fund the implementation of individual fencing activities in sensitive riparian areas in the northern Murray-Darling Basin. It aims to improve river habitats, protect native fish, connect corridors along whole waterways and/or multiple properties and manage livestock access. 

The delivery of the Riverbanks Program will also involve First Nation Peoples and organisations, as well as other community groups such as Landcare in the project implementation.

SQ Landscapes has been engaged by the Queensland Government to implement the Riverbanks Program in the northern basin over the next three and a half years. Those interested in receiving more details about the Riverbanks Program should contact SQ Landscapes using the form below.