Solutions to the problem of dryland salinity in Queensland

DNRM has also recently completed its annual salinity monitoring program,‘Saltwatch Snapshot’.

Through the program, community groups and individuals are asked to check the salinity levels of their local waterways and feed this information into the Department’s database and mapping programs. The information collected helps DNRM scientists keep track of salinity and assess salinity trends in our waterways.

Queensland also became the first state to sign the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) on the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality in January 2001.

Under this initiative, $162 million of matching Commonwealth/State funds have been dedicated to Queensland over the next seven years.

The IGA requires that the funding will be used in a partnership arrangement between the Commonwealth and State Governments and community-based regional groups to help prevent salinisation and enhance water quality, by addressing areas of existing land and water degradation caused by salinity.

The four areas identified for action by Queenslanders under the National Action Plan are the catchments of the Fitzroy and Burdekin Rivers; the upper Brisbane/Lockyer, Burnett and Mary Rivers; the Balonne, Condamine and Maranoa Rivers and the border rivers.

The National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality embodies a new approach to natural resource management, by providing funding for community-driven implementation of integrated catchment plans.

The new approach calls for planning against scientifically-based targets, identifying priority actions and establishing an investment plan to meet those targets.

Once Commonwealth and State governments accredit those plans, funds will be devolved to the regional body for implementation under a partnership arrangement.

While this focus provides an excellent opportunity to establish integrated plans for the priority regions, Queensland will continue to address natural resource issues in an integrated way in the rest of the State.

The Department of Natural Resources and Mines is the lead State Government agency for the National Action Plan and is working collaboratively with a number of other State Government agencies to ensure a whole-of-Government approach.

The other agencies involved are Primary Industries, Environmental Protection Agency, Local Government and Planning, State Development, Premier and Cabinet, and Treasury.