Soil conservation | Bargara Queensland

Cameron Leckie, the Hub’s Regional Soil Coordinator, attended a four-day Soil Conservation workshop hosted by the Burnett Mary Regional Group at Bargara (Queensland).

The training examined multiple forms of water erosion with a focus on gullying. The importance of preventative measures, such as planning the location of infrastructure and maintenance of groundcover were reinforced throughout. Practical activities included calculating peak discharges for a catchment to inform design of structures, the basics of surveying and how to layout structures such as whoa-boys and diversion banks, and discussion on different approaches to managing erosion, including low-cost methods such as brush from regrowth and hay bales.

The 15 enthusiastic participants were led through a range of theoretical and practical training activities by soil conservationists John Day and Simon Hunt from the Queensland Department of Primary Industries, and Geoff Titmarsh (formerly of the Department of Primary Industries), supported by staff from the Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Manufacturing and Regional and Rural Development.

Cameron found the training invaluable, while also reinforcing the importance of building the capacity of practitioners, extension officers and equipment operators.

“Minimising erosion is crucial for everything from drought resilience, to productivity, soil health and minimising the impact of high intensity rainfall events,” Cameron said.

“Further the skills and knowledge required to become competent in this field, as highlighted by this training, require significant investment in training and career opportunities to gain practical experience.”  

The training was funded by the Landscape Repair Program from the Australian Government’s Reef Trust.

Want more?

Read more from Regional Soil Coordinator Cameron Leckie, via his LinkedIn.

Further information on managing soil erosion can be found at the Smart Soils for Farming soil resource library: Smart Soils for Farming – Soil Science Australia.

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The group examining remediation options for an active gully formed along an old paddock track.

SQNNSW Innovation Hub Regional Soil Coordinator Cameron Leckie examines a headcut in a dam bywash during the Bargara Queensland training event.