Flood management plans build resilience

Flooding on the Innes property at Marcella near Booubyjan. Picture: Amy Innes

Burnett Mary Regional Group’s Industry Recovery and Resilience Officers have worked with primary producers to develop 46 flood management plans so far with 20 more in progress.

Flood management plans help landholders with water management and to reduce the impact of future high rainfall events.

Virginia Kelleher from BMRG said having a flood management plan supports producers to future proof their properties.

“We're able to help landholders with planning improvements in areas such as infrastructure, ground cover, rotational grazing, soil health, landscape hydration and being rain ready for wet seasons to harvest water,” she said.

“We visit the producer’s property and complete a flood management plan, and run through support services, including grants and funding opportunities available to eligible primary producers.”

Virginia’s colleague Leesa Kelly said having a flood management plan won’t stop a flood from coming but can reduce the impact.

“Unfortunately, we’re always going to get severe events in some of these systems,” she said.

“But if we’re doing everything we can to make sure our soils are healthy, to make sure we’ve got healthy pasture, good root systems, good vegetation, we’re going to get a better carbon cycle and have a better microclimate.

“That’s really going to help us when these events come.”

Producers Rhys and Amy Innes, from Marcella near Booubyjan, said developing a flood management plan prompted them to be proactive with their farm management.

“One of the things we think is really important is to put in some infrastructure so we can keep our cattle and livestock up on higher ground and out of the flood,” Amy said.

“Last time we had cows and calves washed away, and we’re seedstock producers, so we can’t afford to let those genetics go down the creek.”

Flood management plans outline potential actions to prevent, prepare, respond and recover in relation to heavy rainfall events.

Disaster preparedness workshop

A Disaster Preparedness Workshop for primary producers will be held at the Carriers Arms Hotel in Maryborough on Friday, 1 December from 9am to 2.30pm.

BMRG's Industry Recovery and Resilience Officers will be on hand to lead discussion about topics including Farm Business Resilience Plans; applying for drought preparedness funding; and one-on-one flood management planning. They will also be able to connect primary producers with service providers for free support.

A special guest will be Warren Davies, The Unbreakable Farmer.

For more information, contact BMRG on 07 4181 2999 or email admin@bmrg.org.au.

The Industry Recovery and Resilience Officer program is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.