Property map showing project infrastructure including subdivision fencing and water distribution layout for enabling rotational grazing.
Download map here

Installing stock water dams and fencelines that divide paddocks enable landholders to implement rest-based rotational grazing giving desirable pastures a chance to set seed and establish new tussocks.

Background:

Brett and Myrelle Sommerlad used PMP for planning works to address sediment run-off into the Bremer River on their 2000 acre property at Rosevale. The Sommerlads have worked with SEQ Catchments on grazing, erosion, riparian (i.e. river) vegetation and weed management.

Planning activities:

Soon after buying the property, the Sommerlads attended a PMP workshop along with other landholders. Brett and Myrelle found the workshop useful and were:

• hown a framework for future planning
• Presented with recent maps of their property
• Were made aware about landscape scale issues

As a follow up to the original PMP workshop, Brett and Myrelle then had an individual PMP session on their property with a Queensland Department of Primary Industries grazing management expert, SEQ Catchments’ Community Partnerships Manager, a Healthy Country Project Officer and a PMP officer. From this engagement, the Sommerlads made their future property plan, which included the following goals:

• Constructing watering points which double as sediment traps
• Introducing a time-controlled rotational grazing system
• Fencing to land types
• Treating timber
• Weed control

Project activities and inputs:

With their future property plan established, the Sommerlads were able to secure funding through the Healthy Country program for 84% of their costs for works which reduced sediment. These works included:

• Creation of in-gully sediment traps
• Fencing of paddocks to land types for rotational grazing

The Sommerlad’s in-kind contribution included obtaining quotes, managing contractors, clearing fence lines, seeding the dam bank and future maintenance.