Reef protection regulations for
additional extension resources, communications,
cane farmers
The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is Queenslands most
treasured ecosystem and is worth $6 billion a year to
the economy, supporting 69,000 jobs. The
Queensland Government has committed to reducing
nitrogen runoff by up to 80 per cent and reducing
total suspended sediment runoff by up to 50 per cent
in key GBR catchments by 2025. Strong scientific
evidence confirms that significant quantities of
fertiliser and pesticides from sugarcane farms are
entering the GBR lagoon. The reduction in water
quality increases the risk of serious long-term effects
on the reefs health and decreases its resilience to
pressures such as climate change and ocean
acidification.
We recognise and acknowledge the many sugarcane
producers who are managing their farms sustainably,
and who have adopted best management practices.
We also know that the reef needs everyone to play
their part. The GBR Water Science Taskforce (the
Taskforce) found a mix of tools and approaches
would be required, including a strengthened and
staged regulatory approach to help eradicate the
most polluting practices from a range of rural and
urban industries in the Great Barrier Reef catchment,
and transition these industries to improved
management practices.
The Queensland Government is already
implementing many of the Taskforce
recommendations including improved monitoring,
establishing an innovation fund, commencing two
major integrated projects and considering regulatory
approaches to improve reef water quality.
The Taskforce recommended expanding and
enhancing the existing reef protection regulations to
help manage water quality impacts from cane farming
grazing, grains, horticulture and bananas. In addition,
the legal requirements for urban development and
other industrial activities will be reviewed such as
sewage treatment plants, intensive animal industries
including prawn farms and feedlots, as well as
mining, quarrying and landfills. In the meantime, all
cane farmers in the Wet Tropics, Burdekin and
Mackay-Whitsunday regions will need to comply with
the current regulated standards to help improve reef
water quality outcomes.
What does this mean for me as a cane
farmer?
The science about the state of the Great Barrier Reef
is clear. The Queensland Government is focusing its
attention on increasing the uptake of key farming
practices that directly reduce the likelihood of
nutrients and pesticide runoff. Additional officers are
on the ground in regulated reef catchments to
encourage faster uptake of regulated standards
through awareness, education and targeted
compliance activities. We are focusing on catchments
and critical sub-catchments where science is showing
us there is a problem.
What do I need to do?
In 2010 reef protection requirements that directly
relate to sugarcane farming were brought in under
the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act).
The regulations require all cane farmers in the Wet
Tropics, Burdekin and Mackay-Whitsundays to:
Undertake soil tests within one year of planting in
accordance with the Method for soil sampling
and analysis for sugarcane properties regulated
under the EP Act.
Use the results of soil tests to calculate the
 optimum amount of nitrogen and phosphorus in
accordance with the Method for calculating the
optimum amount of nitrogen and phosphorus to
be applied to sugarcane properties regulated
under the EP Act.
Keep the soil test reports and records of the
calculation of the optimum amount of nitrogen
and phosphorus for a period of five years.
Apply no more than the optimum amount of
nitrogen and phosphorus.
Keep records of the agricultural chemicals,
fertilisers and soil conditioners applied including I am already undertaking best farming
the amount, product analysis, date and method practices, do I need to do anything
of application for a period of five years.
more?
Have a map showing the boundary of the blocks
where soil testing and fertiliser and soil Congratulations on managing your farm sustainably.
conditioner application has occurred. However, you should ensure that you are complying
with the steps listed under the 'What do I need to do?'
If I need to improve cane farming section of this fact sheet.
practices, what should I do?
More information
You are encouraged to adopt best management
practices, for example, through the voluntary For more information please email
Smartcane BMP. RWQinfo@ehp.qld.gov.aumailto: call 13 QGOV (13
74 68) or visit
The industry developed Smartcane BMP program, is www.qld.gov.au/FarmingInReefCatchments.
a robust and practical system that helps improve the
productivity, profitability and sustainability of farm
enterprises. As part of the Smartcane BMP, growers
assess their practices to determine if they are below,
at, or above the industry standard. If their activities
are below the industry standard, the system shows
what they would need to do to reach that standard.
Help is also available through local facilitators.
Meeting the Smartcane BMP industry standard in
the following modules will ensure you meet the
regulated standards:
Soil Health and Nutrient Management
Irrigation and Drainage Management
Weed, Pest and Disease Management.
Cane growers who have adopted best management
practices have saved money and maintained
productivity, while assisting in minimising the risk of
nutrients, pesticides and sediment leaving your
property and impacting the health of the reef.
To find more or register for Smartcane BMP please
contact the CANEGROWERS BMP Project Manager
Mick Quirk on 0408 748 141, email
michael_quirk@canegrowers.com.au, or visit
www.smartcane.com.au.
In addition, industry, and the Queensland and
Australian governments, offer a number of other
programs and support tools that help famers adopt
best farming practices. These are listed under tools
and programs for sustainable agriculture on our
website, www.qld.gov.au/FarmingInReefCatchments

March 2017