4 December 2009

GROWERS GET FIRST LOOK AT REEF LEGISLATION REQUIREMENTS


The Queensland Governments Reef Regulations start on 1 January 2010 and parts of the regulations will be rolled out by Government over the next few weeks to meet their deadline and tight schedule.

Key points

The regulations have been badged by Government as ReefWise Farming.
A booklet called “Guide to The Great Barrier Reef Protection Legislation” will be sent to all growers by the end of next week.
An information pack containing record keeping forms of chemicals and fertiliser, guidelines on soil testing and nutrient calculation as well as fact sheets on chemical use will be sent to growers before Christmas.
A website has been established and is live www.reefwisefarming.qld.gov.au
A hotline has been established 1300 130 372 option 8
Advertisements will appear in regional papers on the week of 14 December 2009
Shed meetings will occur in regional areas up to Christmas and in the new year.

Background to the regulation

Political imperative to improve water quality

Reduce nutrients and chemicals entering GBR by 50%
Reduce sediment entering GBR by 20%
Affects all commercial sugarcane

Environmentally Relevant Activity (ERA)
Affects specific areas

Wet Tropics
Burdekin Dry Tropics
Mackay Whitsunday
Regulations in brief

Keep annual records for chemical and nutrient for 5 years
Apply no more than optimum amount of fertiliser
Restrictions on use of specific residual chemicals (Atrazine, Ametryn, Hexazinone and Diuron)
• Environmental Risk Management Plans (ERMP) (Wet Tropics for growers with greater than 70 hectares of sugarcane)
Regional Extension Funding


At the Reef Regulation Extension meeting held on 25 November 2009, $1,000,000 was made available to sugar and grazing for extension for the 2010 calendar year. The breakdown of the money available to sugar was $650,000 and the breakdown of money by region is $300,000 for Wet Tropics, $200,000 for Mackay Whitsundays and $150,000 for Burdekin Dry Tropics. CANEGROWERS understand that the extension funding will be used to provide administrative assistance to growers seeking advice in meeting their obligations under the Regulations.

Date	Item	Action
1 January 2010	The Great Barrier Reef Protection Amendment Bill 2009 commences	Regulations under the Bill commence
1 January 2010	Record keeping – nutrients	These records need to be kept on the approved form or equivalent for 5 years.
	Record keeping – chemicals	Records need to be kept 6 years when using Atrazine, Ametryn, Hexazinone and Diuron
	Soil testing for plant cane	Soil testing for plant cane for all 2010 planting
	Nutrient calculator	Calculating optimum amount of N & P
1 April 2010	Chemical issues	These issues will be discussed with Government to find a suitable definition for water course and workable approach to setback provisions
	20 m setbacks for Atrazine, Ametryn, Hexazinone and Diuron
	Water course definitions
	Chemical risk plans	Content and approach will be determined
1 July 2010	Chemical accreditation due date	Accreditation ( three competencies) required for all growers using Atrazine, Ametryn, Hexazinone and Diuron
1 October 2010	ERMP due date	ERMP required for growers in Wet Tropics who are growing 70 hectares or greater of sugarcane
	20 m setbacks commence	Mandatory 20 m setbacks begin for Atrazine, Ametryn, Hexazinone and Diuron
	Chemical Risk Plan due	Chemical Risk Plan required for all growers in Wet Tropics, Burdekin Dry Tropics and Mackay Whitsunday wanting to use Atrazine, Ametryn, Hexazinone and Diuron without mandatory setback

CANEGROWERS has informed its members that the State Government intends to release compliance requirements and information relating to reef legislation to affected growers over the coming weeks. The expected timeline is as follows:

The website is now live: www.reefwisefarming.qld.gov.au
A guide to the legislation has been sent to relevant farmers on the State Government database this week.
An information package with forms, guidelines and fact sheets for record keeping, fertiliser and chemical use will be mailed to all farmers mid December
A full page ad will appear in all regional papers mid December with updates about the legislation
All enquiries to do with the new legislation should be directed to 1300 130 372 (option 8)
CANEGROWERS will keep its members abreast of the latest developments.


Media Comment: Matt Kealley CANEGROWERS Senior Manager - Environment & Natural Resources 0407 657 779