Appendix E - Applicant Comments RE PLM Notes · RAL22/0006

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          Total exclusion of livestock is difficult and somewhat impractical on small
   properties. An alternative is to manage grazing so that damage is minimised.

          The current grazing system used on the property is to rotate cattle through a
   number of paddocks so that each paddock is grazed on average for 5 days every 5 to
   6 weeks i.e. 5 days grazing about 10 times per year or about 50 grazing days per
   paddock per year. Cattle would be given access to the riparian area for only a short
   time (most probably less than 1 day and not more than 10 times per year).

           This system of grazing results in minimal damage to the riparian area
   and assists greatly in weed and pest control and very effectively reduces fuel loads
   so that fire can be controlled.

3. Covenant over riparian areas on larger lot.

           The requested covenant is similar to that requested for the new lot but to be
   restricted to areas near boundaries and with provision to not fragment agricultural
   land. Clarification of the objectives and what areas are considered most vulnerable
   are needed.

            This area of some 40ha is dissected by the creek which is a series of shallow
   water holes that are not connected by running water except in times of high rainfall.
   A mixture of tree vegetation which includes a high proportion of camphor laurel
   follows the creek line generally. There are some areas of category B land (Remnant
   of least concern) on the PMAV. In the south-eastern paddock a gully usually with
   very little surface water runs joins Pender Creek. A section adjacent to Pender Creek
   Road has been planted to trees and fenced to reduce bank erosion in times of
   flooding. Grazing is managed in the same way that is proposed in 2 above.

           Currently the area on the south-eastern side is subdivided into 2 paddocks
   with 2 smaller holding paddocks and farm infrastructure (house, sheds, yards, tanks
   etc). The north western side is divided into 4 paddocks. Stock water is pumped from
   dams or the creek when available to 2 tanks (one on each side of the creek) and
   reticulated to 11 troughs in the 6 paddocks. Cattle are moved through the paddocks
   in rotation as described in 2 above. Hence each paddock is grazed for 4-7 days
   (depending on size) about 10 times per year. This system of grazing and the strategic
   re-alignment of fences does mean that the time cattle are in the creek area is
   minimised. In 2 paddocks cattle have no access to the creek, in others they do but in
   2 there is usually no surface water.

          In recent years pasture dieback has impacted our pastures removing some
   species and allowing more weedy species to colonise. This has been managed by
   replanting alternative species and fencing areas to encourage establishment.

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   4. Covenant areas will be required to be fenced to exclude domestic stock.

             This has been addressed in 2 and 3 above. Further comments are that
      fencing where practical such as in the new lot would be supported but in other areas
      fencing is difficult and expensive and would be severely damaged in each flooding
      event in gullies with fast flowing water running off the mountains.

             The grazing system which is continuously being developed and improved
      minimises damage to the riparian areas, provides some very worthwhile benefits
      and can be successfully managed with acceptable inputs of time and improvements.


Other comments

              To further support my comments, I can advise that my qualifications are B.
      App. Sc. (Rural Technology) and I was employed by Queensland Dept of Primary
      Industries from 1971 to 2010 as a pasture agronomist. My projects supported and
      funded by Meat Research Corporation (MRC) and Meat and Livestock Australia
      (MLA) included: Development of irrigated pastures for the Burdekin region,
      Establishment and Management of Stylosanthes pasture in Central Queensland,
      Grazing management of native pasture systems in CQ and the Burnett region,
      Development of legumes for clay soils for grazing and farming systems in
      Queensland, (project leader) and an ACIAR (Australian Centre for International
      Agricultural Research) funded project Legumes for farming and grazing systems in
      Australia and Southern Africa.

             I can also advise that the Kin Kin property with the property management
      plan that we have in place has been fully accredited in the Grazing Best Management
      Practice program. This was a joint program promoted by AgForce and the
      Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Fitzroy Basin Authority.
      Only properties that were operating at above industry standard in soil health,
      grazing land management, animal production, animal health and welfare and people
      and business management were accredited.

             We maintain record of pasture production, nutrient cycling, paddock grazing
      and animal growth rates.

             Our aim is to continuously improve management of the property. We are
      members of AgForce (membership no. 21474), the Gympie and District Beef Liaison
      Group (member 2005-2021, management committee 2010-2020) and Country
      Noosa and we regularly attend their field days and workshops to gain ideas and
      information.