NQ Dry Tropics

The NQ Dry Tropics (formerly Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM) operates as a community based, not-for-profit company delivering on-ground Natural Resource Management (NRM) activities since 2005 to enhance the community's involvement in those issues throughout the Dry Tropics Region in northern Queensland Australia.

The economy of the NQ Dry Tropics region is heavily reliant upon natural resources based industries, particularly agriculture. Agriculture is by far the most important employer in the rural areas of the region. Other major industries include mining and tourism.

History

The National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAPSWQ) and the Natural Heritage Trust Extension (NHT2) were natural resource management programs established by the Australian Government, in partnership with State Governments, to address the declining condition of natural resources in Australia. The long term objectives of these programs was to halt and reverse the decline in the condition of the natural resource base. It also recognised that the long term success of Natural resource management activities depended on involvement of sectors of the community.[1]

The election of the Rudd Government saw development of the Caring for our Country program. It was a commitment of $2.25 billion in funding over the first five years commencing 1 July 2008.[2]

Goals

Land care programs and sustainable farming.[3]

Geography

The NQ Dry Tropics region is located in north eastern Queensland, covering an area of approximately 133,432 km² and is primarily defined by the catchment area of the Burdekin River plus the associated coastal and marine areas. The region has a population of approximately 190 000 which predominantly urban with up to three quarters based within the major population centres including Townsville, Ayr, Bowen and Charters Towers. Away from the major centres the region is sparsely populated.

Major Watercourses

Major water courses in this catchment include:

Bioregions

There are 6 of 15 bioregions (as defined by Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia) that exist within the Burdekin Dry Tropics NRM region. These are:

Projects
gollark: Maybe I should petition to be a diode atheist and have a transistor cult.
gollark: ... so you can make a transistor out of several diodes, then, or...?
gollark: I don't believe in this "diode cult". It doesn't actually exist.
gollark: Diodes aren't real. Every time current happens to flow the way a diode "permits", it's just coincidence.
gollark: I don't think so. ATX, BTX and ITX are the same... sort of thing, at least.

References
  1. McConchie, Rob. "How caring is "Caring for our Country"". archive Friday, 14/03/2008. ABC News Queensland. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  2. Bardon, Jane. "Government outlines Caring For Our Country program". ABC Rural News. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  3. Ockenden, Will. "Caring for our Country program extended". archive Tuesday, 08/05/2012. ABCRural. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
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