As farmers’ eyes look to the skies ahead of storm season, Queensland primary producers now have access to practical tools and tailored education resources to better prepare for flooding following the conclusion of a Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) disaster resilience project.
Funding from the Australian and Queensland Governments through the 2017-18 Natural Disaster Resilience Program, allowed QFF to partner with industry members Growcom and Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation to deliver the project.
QFF CEO Dr Georgina Davis said when it came to extreme weather events in Queensland, it was not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’, and the state’s agriculture sector had benefitted from an improved understanding of flood vulnerabilities for specific agriculture industries and farm locations.
“The project developed a flood mapping tool and risk based, on-farm flood management plans that assisted producers in understanding and mitigating the potential impacts of flooding on their properties through re-engineered management decisions and strategies,” Dr Davis said.
“For example, identifying future beneficial infrastructure projects including road access to farms to minimise supply chain impact; through to repairing river embankment erosion that cuts into farm property.”
“In addition, an innovative online course is now available to assist farmers across Queensland to develop flood mitigation and resilience management plans for their own properties.”
“With the Bureau of Meteorology recently declaring an active La Niña, a weather pattern typically associated with an above average rainfall across much of Australia, the online resource comes at a good time to help farmers prepare for a flood, and mitigate the damage to their properties and effects on their businesses.”
“With severe weather events predicted to be more frequent and intense in the future, this project is the beginning of an ongoing and regular discussion that will enable effective flood preparedness outcomes for farmers across the state.”
The project is a collaboration between Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland Farmers’ Federation and its members, Growcom and Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation. The project is funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the 2017-18 Natural Disaster Resilience Program.
To access the Free QFF Flood Mapping, Mitigation and Management Course, please click here.
This article is courtesy of Queensland Farmers Federation (https://www.qff.org.au/media-releases/qff-project-delivers-resources-prepare-floods/)