THE Queensland Government has partnered with the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF), in a $1.1 million move to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

Minister for the Great Barrier Reef Steven Miles said the government understood the need to support producers in their efforts to improve water quality by giving them access to more specialists that can support their efforts.

”The $1.1 million funding… responds to a recommendation of the Great Barrier Reef Water Science Taskforce for more effective, targeted and coordinated extension to support large-scale land management practice changes in the Great Barrier Reef catchments,” Mr Miles said.

“This program assists in filling the shortage gap of experienced extension personnel, and will provide farmers with more access to specialist advice, resulting in improved knowledge and practices to benefit both farmers and the reef.”

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Bill Byrne said the program would provide support to farmers to change practices that improve water quality outcomes without compromising their productivity and profitability.

“This project will provide additional training in key areas for extension staff and advisors so that they can better support farmers,” Mr Byrne said.

“The program is made up of two components – training and extension work placement.

“Training will be provided for extension officers across the catchments that feed into the Great Barrier Reef. It will address the skills and knowledge gaps identified as critical to developing and enhancing extension services.

“The second component of the program will involve graduate work placement across the catchments of the Great Barrier Reef to improve the capacity of early career extension officers.”

QFF President Stuart Armitage said the organisation’s experience across these important issues will ensure bespoke, industry-specific training and employment would be delivered as the Reef Plan is implemented.

“Currently, QFF coordinates the Queensland Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance which informs government on specific sector wide jobs, training needs and requirements,” Mr Armitage said.

“As the facilitator of the Reef Alliance – which is a partnership between 14 industry, regional natural resource management, and conservation organisations – we have been coordinating efforts to manage the agricultural sector’s impact on the Great Barrier Reef.

“We will use our extensive networks and expertise to identify host organisations to host a trainee.

For further information please visit www.qld.gov.au/GreatBarrierReef.