Demonstrating alluvial gully remediation to enhance reef water quality
Gully erosion is a significant challenge in grazing lands across northern Queensland, particularly in areas with highly erodible soils.
These gullies can reduce the productivity of grazing land, damage infrastructure, pollute downstream environments, and require ongoing costly interventions.
Our Spyglass Gully Remediation project, funded by the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program, focuses on addressing this issue through 3 key objectives:
- Erosion control and sediment reduction — testing innovative approaches to stabilise soil, improve vegetation cover, and reduce sediment flowing from Continong Creek to the Burdekin River.
- Monitoring and research — Using tools like LiDAR, water quality sensors and vegetation assessments to enhance understanding and measure the success of alluvial gully remediation techniques.
- Knowledge and skill building — Empowering graziers and technical experts with practical knowledge through workshops and site visits.
“We are trialling a range of cost-effective strategies emphasising long-term stability and minimal maintenance,” said Senior Soil Conservation Officer, Simon Hunt.
“A range of approaches, from those relevant to graziers, to more intensive interventions, will be tested to develop practical principles for managing alluvial gullies.”
Alluvial gullies differ to hillslope gullies in their location and scale. They typically have extreme soil conditions and continue to grow without an external catchment, making them more difficult to manage and stabilise.
“We have a technical advisory group and local producer group providing input into the project’s design and activities to ensure best outcomes.”
Simon said one of the project’s key strengths is that the insights gained have multiple benefits.
“Insights from the project will benefit local graziers, and contribute to policy and industry practices, sustainable land management solutions, and improve water quality outcomes for our vital waterways,” Simon said.
The project is delivered by the Department of Primary Industries in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation and James Cook University.
For more information on new techniques and innovations to improve farm practices in reef catchments, visit Farming in the Reef.
To read more about what the Department of Primary Industries is up to, check out the AgriScope Newsletter, where this article was originally published in the Summer 2025 edition.