Environmental Risk Management Plans
The Great Barrier Reef Protection Amendment Act 2009 commenced on 1 January 2010 as Chapter 4A of the Environmental Protection Act 1994.
The legislation is known as the Reef Protection Package, and a major component of the package is the requirement for cane farmers in the Wet Tropics catchment growing cane on more than 70 hectares to prepare and submit for accreditation an Environmental Risk Management Plan (ERMP).
ERMPs must be submitted to the department by 30 September 2010.
An ERMP is a property management plan that helps reduce the risk of sediment, fertiliser and chemicals leaving the property. Landholders are required to identify potential hazards such as erodible soils, waterways and places where chemicals are used and then describe the current management practices used to manage these hazards. The final step is to set out a work plan with actions and timelines to reduce these risks over time.
A team of local Reef Protection Officers in Cairns, Townsville and Mackay, as well as industry bodies will be conducting meetings with farmers in the regions to assist with the preparation of ERMPs.
The legislation is known as the Reef Protection Package, and a major component of the package is the requirement for cane farmers in the Wet Tropics catchment growing cane on more than 70 hectares to prepare and submit for accreditation an Environmental Risk Management Plan (ERMP).
ERMPs must be submitted to the department by 30 September 2010.
An ERMP is a property management plan that helps reduce the risk of sediment, fertiliser and chemicals leaving the property. Landholders are required to identify potential hazards such as erodible soils, waterways and places where chemicals are used and then describe the current management practices used to manage these hazards. The final step is to set out a work plan with actions and timelines to reduce these risks over time.
A team of local Reef Protection Officers in Cairns, Townsville and Mackay, as well as industry bodies will be conducting meetings with farmers in the regions to assist with the preparation of ERMPs.