Inspecting a series of actively eroding gullies in sodosol soils at Todsure, from left, Graham Gordon, DAF’s Bob Shepherd, Carl Groocock, LDC’s Adrienne Hall, LDC’s Matt Miles, LDC’s Rodger Walker, Leanne Groocock and Barry Collett. All the pasture following great rain early in the year doesn’t change the fact that underneath, there are actively eroding gully features.

Inspecting remediation sites at John Robinson’s plot on Corduroy Creek Road, from left, LDC’s Matt Miles, Barry Collett, Queensland Solar Maintenance, Graham Gordon, Two Mile, DAF’s Bob Shepherd, LDC’s Rodger Walker, Glencore’s David Gullo and Carl Groocock, Todsure.

David Gullo, Glencore, and Graham Gordon, Two Mile, inspect proposed landscape remediation sites on Two Mile.

Bob Shepherd, DAF, and grazier Stanley Fordham inspecting the eroded by-wash of a dam on Emohruo.

Following Stanley and Judy Fordham to a proposed gully remediation site on their property Emohruo.

Grazier clusters – working together to achieve more

DAF principal extension officer (grazing land management) Bob Shepherd is providing expertise to help the Scottville cluster group develop cost effective designs to remediate gullies and other property erosion features to reduce soil erosion.

Bob visited the properties in November 2018 to complete an assessment to help inform a recommended course of on-ground works for each property.  He returned last month to discuss recommendations and designs for works with the graziers.

The landholders plan to use local contractors and share resources to help reduce costs.  

Glencore has also committed to providing in-kind support to the group.  David Gullo, of Glencore, also attended the cluster group’s roving tour of each of the properties to learn what the group wants to achieve.

The aims of the Scottville cluster group ‘roving tour’:

  • Q and A with Bob Shepherd and local landholders on proposed designed works, fitting priorities into budget, risk minimisation and broader grazing land management.
  • Outline steps and timelines to ensure contracted works can start, including a rundown of site works Land Management Agreements (LMA).
  • Discuss pre and post works monitoring and quality assurance steps.
  • Discuss access to land management technical support, extension, education, knowledge and on-ground learning opportunities for small landholders and the surrounding Scottville-Collinsville community, for example, post works site visits and field days.

Projects undertaken by cluster groups are crucial for the LDC project because they link to improvement in water quality leaving the properties.  

Remediation of erosion features, along with improvements in grazing land management and surface water management on-property will reduce erosion and sediment entering local waterways.

Four LDC cluster groups

FOUR geographically-based cluster groups are currently involved with the LDC project, located at Scottville, Normanby Road, Bowen River and Little Bowen.

They formed because members saw the value in working together and sharing knowledge, skills and experiences.

Cluster groups are self-directed, and supported by LDC  extension staff. Click here to read more about cluster groups.

Carl Groocock and Isabel Sloan on site at Hillview.