Targeted extension strategies to improve water quality outcomes in the Australian sugar industry

Can extension programs have an impact on water quality entering the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) lagoon? Sugarcane farmers in the Herbert cane growing region (North Queensland, Australia) sought funding for a whole of Herbert catchment water quality monitoring project through various industry and government funding agencies in 2010. The Herbert Water Quality Monitoring Program (HWQMP) commenced in July 2011 and operated for 3 years to monitor water quality for the whole Herbert catchment. An extension strategy was developed as a part of the HWQMP, with linkages to other projects, allowing the sugar industry to assess its impacts from the cane block to the inner reefs of the GBR. The HWQMP and associated extension effort has been successful in building industry capacity to manage issues identified by the water quality monitoring program. The program has achieved positive environmental change leading to improved water quality outcomes without compromising industry viability.