SQ Landscapes

Did you know that traditional water extraction systems can unintentionally harm native fish populations? With the Fish Friendly Water Extraction Project, funded by the Australian Government we’re changing that for farmers and fish in south Queensland. How It Works Modern fish-friendly screens are designed to: 💧 Slow water velocity, creating a safe passage for fish. 💧 Act as a gentle barrier, preventing fish from being drawn into irrigation systems. 💧 Reduce debris from clogging pumps, saving time and money for farmers. These screens represent a breakthrough in sustainable water management. By offering over 90% protection for native fish, they ensure our rivers stay vibrant and ecosystems thrive. The benefits for farmers are clear: fewer maintenance issues, reduced costs, and a sustainable way to access water while caring for the environment. It’s a solution that truly works for everyone! #FishFriendly #EcoTech #SustainableFarming #QLDRivers #ProtectNativeFish #DCCEEW @WaterQLD

Heard about climate reporting and disclosures but are unsure what it means for you? Head to the Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator section on the SQL website to learn about the new ASRS and how reporting will affect producers. If you have any other questions, please contact: Vince Parisi | vincent.parisi@sqlandscapes.org.au Visit our website here - https://hubs.li/Q02_TbYk0 #climatedisclosures #Sustainability #scope3emissions #NaturalCapital #AgriBusiness #SQL #NationalHeritageTrust #SAF #asrs #sustainabilityreporting

#OurBeliefs & #OurValues We aim to live our beliefs and our values everyday through the work we undertake with the communities of Southern QUeensland. . #SQLandscapes #BuildingCommunity #Empathy #ResponsibleAction #FutureImpact #SouthernQueenslandLandscapes

Every Drop Matters – Protecting Fish and Supporting Farmers Queensland’s waterways are intricate ecosystems teeming with life and form the foundation of our agricultural success. That’s why the Fish Friendly Water Extraction Project, funded by the Australian Government, is a groundbreaking initiative that balances the needs of agriculture and environmental care. This innovative technology: Protects native fish from being lost to water extraction. Improves water delivery for farms, boosting efficiency and sustainability. Each year, millions of fish are unintentionally removed from their habitats, disrupting ecosystems and biodiversity. By addressing this issue, the Fish Friendly Water Extraction Project sets a new standard for environmental care while supporting agricultural needs. With this project, we’re ensuring our rivers remain healthy, our farms thrive, and our communities benefit from sustainable practices for generations to come. 🐟🌱 #SustainableWater #HealthyRivers #FishFriendly #QLDAgriculture #ProtectNativeFish #DCCEEW @WaterQLD

🌟 Meet the Team: Katrina Higgins 🌟 Katrina has recently joined our team as a Project Officer based in Roma. Having grown up on a rural property and working on many others, Katrina has a strong knowledge and understanding of various agricultural practices. After completing a Bachelor of Agriculture/Bachelor of Business with the University of New England earlier this year, Katrina moved interstate and joined our team with a desire to assist landowners to improve their agricultural productivity and sustainability. She is excited about the opportunities ahead as she moves forward in a growing and innovative industry, eager to deliver successful outcomes for the surrounding community. #meettheteam #southernqueenslandlandscapes #sustainableagriculture #naturalheritagetrust

At an information session at Warrego Water Services in Dalby, Andrew McCartney, Professional Services Partner at Southern Queensland Landscapes, highlighted the Australian Government funded Fish Friendly Water Extraction Project’s role in the Northern Basin Toolkit Measures. 📍 Project Update: Progress So Far Completed Installations: 🔸1 screen in the Border Rivers area 🔸2 screens in the Condamine 🔸1 screen in the Lower Balonne Upcoming Installations: 🔸2 screens planned for the Border Rivers area 🔸1 screen planned for the Condamine What’s Next: 🔸5 additional screens are currently in the design and scoping phase. Why It Matters: 💧 Protecting native fish from being drawn into water intakes. 💧 Reducing damage to irrigation infrastructure, saving time and money for farmers. 💧 Monitoring environmental benefits, such as erosion control and water quality improvements. This collaborative effort between land managers, farmers, and industry service providers shows how innovation and teamwork can drive positive environmental change. Together, we’re creating sustainable outcomes for Queensland’s rivers and agriculture. 🐟 #FishFriendly #SustainableWater #NorthernBasinToolkit #QLDFarming #HealthyRivers #DCCEEW @WaterQLD

🌟 Meet the Team: Erin Landsberg 🌟 Erin is our newest Project Officer based in Charleville. A local to the area, born and raised in Charleville, Erin is familiar with the local landscapes and properties. Passion for restoring landscapes runs in the Landsberg family, with several members involved in agriculture, Landcare and Natural Resource Management. Returning home after graduating from the University of Queensland with a BA for Professional Writing and Communication, Erin brings to the role a passion for storytelling. She looks forward to sharing the success stories from the Western Queensland area and assist landholders and community to achieve positive outcomes. #meettheteam #southernqueenslandlandscapes #sustainableagriculture #naturalheritagetrust

🚨 Bird Flu: Stay Informed 🚨 Southern Queensland Landscapes has recently developed the Stronger Landscapes Plan, an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan to protect our biodiversity and agricultural natural assets. This plan identifies key risks and outlines strategies to prevent or reduce their impact. One major risk identified is avian influenza, a high-risk disease for birds, particularly in vital natural areas like Currawinya Lakes. How You Can Help: 🦜 Be vigilant: Keep an eye out for any unusual bird deaths. 📞 Save the hotline: Add the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline to your phone – 1800 675 888. 💡 Report promptly: If you notice anything suspicious, report it immediately. Your quick action can help isolate potential outbreaks and prevent the spread to other areas and native species. Remember, it’s better to report and rule out than to risk further spread. For more information about the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline and how it works, visit: 👉 Animal Health Australia: Emergency Animal Disease Hotline Let’s work together to safeguard our landscapes and wildlife! 🌏🦉 Further Key Points: 🔹 Transmission: Spreads via infected faeces, respiratory droplets, and close contact. Can spread to humans through direct interaction with sick or dead birds. 🔹 Signs in Birds: Look out for uncoordination, paralysis, coughing, laboured breathing, diarrhea, and sudden death of multiple birds. 🔹 Report: If you see unusual signs or mass bird deaths, call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline at 1800 675 888 immediately. Bird flu is a notifiable disease. 🔹 At-Risk Groups: Anyone interacting with birds, including some farmers, wildlife carers, Traditional Owners, and field workers. 🔹 Risk Control: Avoid touching dead or sick wildlife. If necessary, use PPE and follow disinfection methods. Refer to the Australian Centre for Disease Control for advice. We’re working with government to play our part in protecting our wildlife. For more info, visit https://hubs.li/Q031-TMV0. Together, we can protect our unique biodiversity and keep communities safe. 🌿 Funding line and tags: Stronger Landscapes was funded by the Australian Government’s Natural Heritage Trust and delivered by Southern Queensland Landscapes, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners panel. 

Each year, millions of native fish are unintentionally removed from rivers across Queensland’s Murray-Darling Basin during water extraction. This disrupts ecosystems, harms fish populations, and impacts the delicate balance of our waterways. The Fish Friendly Water Extraction Project, funded by the Australian Government, is addressing this challenge by demonstrating cutting-edge technology. By slowing water velocity and creating safe barriers, modern fish-friendly screens prevent fish, larvae, and eggs from being drawn into pumps. This innovation protects over 90%* of native fish while reducing debris in water systems, saving farmers time and money. Healthy rivers are essential for biodiversity, sustainable farming, and the well-being of our communities. Together, we can make a difference! 🐟💧 . . *Footnote: Estimates of fish losses are based on published studies, including Baumgartner et al. (2007, 2009), Boys et al. (2012, 2013b), and Brown et al. (2015). Research indicates that water diversions can remove approximately 1–3.5 native fish per megalitre of water diverted, with some systems extracting thousands of fish in a single day. #ProtectOurFish #HealthyRivers #EcoSolutions #FishFriendly #QLDFarming #DCCEEW @WaterQLD

🌟 Meet the Team: Natasha Roberts 🌟 Natasha is our Lead for Programs delivery based in Toowoomba. She has been a dedicated professional in natural resource management since 2017. Recently married, you might remember her as Natasha Mylonas. Tash is an all-rounder who supports the rest of the team by thinking up ways to better organise, keep track of, and deliver our projects. She is a logical thinker and is always keen to help, busily assisting the team to solve delivery and system challenges. Tash is proud to be part of the movement towards more sustainable practices in our region, both at home and in the landscape. When she’s not working, Tash loves exploring the bush, discovering curious things in nature, and spending quality time with her large family. #MeetTheTeam #SQLandscapes #SustainablePractices #EnvironmentalManagement #Teamwork #SouthernQueensland