NQ Dry Tropics

The NQ Dry Tropics (formerly Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM) operates as a community based, not-for-profit company delivering on-ground Natural Resource Management (NRM) activities since 2005 to enhance the community's involvement in those issues throughout the Dry Tropics Region in northern Queensland Australia.

The economy of the NQ Dry Tropics region is heavily reliant upon natural resources based industries, particularly agriculture. Agriculture is by far the most important employer in the rural areas of the region. Other major industries include mining and tourism.

History

The National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAPSWQ) and the Natural Heritage Trust Extension (NHT2) were natural resource management programs established by the Australian Government, in partnership with State Governments, to address the declining condition of natural resources in Australia. The long term objectives of these programs was to halt and reverse the decline in the condition of the natural resource base. It also recognised that the long term success of Natural resource management activities depended on involvement of sectors of the community.

The election of the Rudd Government saw development of the Caring for our Country program. It was a commitment of $2.25 billion in funding over the first five years commencing 1 July 2008.

Goals

Land care programs and sustainable farming.

Geography

The NQ Dry Tropics region is located in north eastern Queensland, covering an area of approximately 133,432 km² and is primarily defined by the catchment area of the Burdekin River plus the associated coastal and marine areas. The region has a population of approximately 190 000 which predominantly urban with up to three quarters based within the major population centres including Townsville, Ayr, Bowen and Charters Towers. Away from the major centres the region is sparsely populated.

Major Watercourses

Major water courses in this catchment include:

• Basalt River
• Belyando River
• Bogie River
• Bohle River
• Bowen River
• Broken River

• Burdekin River
• Campaspe River
• Cape River
• Clarke River
• Don River

• Dry River
• Fanning River
• Haughton River
• Ross River
• Running River

• Sellheim River
• Star River
• Suttor River

Bioregions

There are 6 of 15 bioregions (as defined by Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia) that exist within the Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM region. These are:

• Brigalow Belt North
• Brigalow Belt South
• Central Mackay Coast
• Desert Uplands
• Einasleigh Uplands
• Wet Tropics

Projects

• Land Resource Assessment for the Burdekin Dry Tropics region
• Burdekin Water Quality Improvement Plan