Who are we?
The people behind BMRG
The Burnett Mary Regional Group for Natural Resource Management Ltd. (BMRG) is the peak body for natural resource management (NRM) within the Burnett Mary region. Established in 2001, we are one of 56 national, not-for-profit regional bodies providing an essential link between the community and various programs procured by Government and other funding sources.
What do we do?
Fostering strong relationships
BMRG’s vision is “to protect and enhance the agricultural and natural environment of the Burnett Mary region for future generations”. We achieve this by directing investment into a wide range of community-based programs that deliver positive outcomes in the areas of ecological diversity, sustainable land management, water quality, cultural heritage values and coastal and marine management. Community collaboration and partnerships are paramount to us achieving our vision. We continue to foster strong relationships with a range of organisations including: Local, State and Federal Governments; Landcare and Catchment Care groups; Indigenous organisations; agricultural and industrial sectors; universities and schools.
MEET THE BOARD
MEET THE TEAM
Our brand
The BMRG icon is a reflection of who we are, bringing assets together to work in harmony for our region.
To learn more about our brand and the use of our logo click here.
Blue represents the waters of our rivers and marine areas, we are working hard to improve water quality in our region to maintain healthy and diverse ecosystems.
Green represents our unique environment and the people who live there, this is reflected in our daily actions and commitment to sustainability.
Brown represents the agriculture and industry of our region who we support to develop more sustainable practices for better farming outcomes with fewer environmental impacts.
OUR REGION
Covering approximately 56,000km2 of land and 11,000km2 of sea, the Burnett Mary Region is internationally renowned for its ecological diversity, extensive primary production and rich cultural heritage.
The region also supports Queensland’s largest regional population (approximately 300,000 people) – outside of the South East Corner.
Natural Assets
The Burnett Mary region provides habitat for more than half of Australia’s bird species and more than 7,500 of its flora and fauna species are rare, threatened or endangered. Abutting the Southern boundary of the Great Barrier Reef, the region’s marine environment has more marine fish diversity than the reef itself. The region also includes:
- World Heritage listed K’gari [Fraser Island] – K’gari is the largest sand island in the world and was added to the World Heritage list in 1992 in recognition of its outstanding natural universal values. It is characterised by long uninterrupted white beaches flanked by strikingly coloured sand cliffs, majestic tall rainforests and numerous freshwater lakes of crystal-clear water.
- Ramsar listed Great Sandy Strait – Covering 93,160 ha this internationally renowned site is a double ended sand passage estuary receiving tidal flows from Hervey Bay in the North and Wide Bay in the South. Fresh water is delivered from a 1.25million ha catchment via the Mary and Susan Rivers, creeks, coastal streams and Cooloola Sand Mass to the Great Sandy Strait Ramsar site.
Primary Industries
The Burnett Mary region is well-known for its prime agricultural land, well-managed water resources and innovative farming and fishing practices. These attributes support a range of industries including grazing, pork, sugar, dairy, tree crops, seafood, grain and wine and associated processing and value adding industries.
Cattle grazing represents the largest industry by land use and largest regional employer. The region also represents Australia’s largest macadamia, avocado, sweet potato and chilli producers as well as Queensland’s largest timber plantations.
Traditional industries such as sugarcane, have spawned world-class beverage processing industries including for example, Bundaberg Rum and Bundaberg Brewed Drinks.
Being adjacent to the Southern boundary of the Great Barrier Reef, the region’s fishing industry has an international reputation for clean, sustainable fishing practices.