Bundaberg Sugar Burnett River Site – Supporting Reef Protection Efforts
On February 3, 2025, Rachel D'Arcy and Ben Hammill from the Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science, and Innovation (DETSI) visited the Burnett River site at Bundaberg Sugar, where Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) and Gidarjil Development Corporation are working together to revegetate 18.7 hectares under the Reef Assist 2.0 initiative. This vital project aims to prevent future riverbank erosion and improve water quality flowing to the Great Barrier Reef.
During their visit, Ben Revell (Bundaberg Sugar), Brian Latcham, Benjamin Hoekstra, and Mauricio Montoya (BMRG) joined Rachel and Ben to explore the site and discuss progress.
Currently, Bundaberg Sugar is actively clearing the site of weeds and preparing the soil, paving the way for Gidarjil to begin planting native trees in early March. The project is on track for completion by October 2025 and will contribute to a healthier river system and reef ecosystem.
The $33.5 million state-wide Reef Assist program is funded by the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program.
A big thank you to DETSI, Bundaberg Sugar, and Gidarjil for their commitment to this important work. We look forward to seeing the transformation of the Burnett River site in the months ahead!
