Neglected Riverbank Erosion Ignored While Farmers Take the Blame

Nick Dametto MP at an erosion site on the Herbert River at Hawkins Creek.

4 October 2024

The Albanese Labor Government’s recent $200 million investment in the Landscape Repair Program, aimed at reducing sediment runoff to the Great Barrier Reef, is not the solution, according to Katter’s Australian Party Deputy Leader and Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto.

While the program focuses on farming practices and revegetation to reduce sediment flowing into the Great Barrier Reef, Dametto argues that the real problem is being ignored which is mass riverbank erosion, exacerbated by the neglect of Queensland’s Department of Natural Resources and Mines (DNRM) and the Department of Water.

“The Government always appears eager to vilify farmers for sediment runoff affecting the Great Barrier Reef, but no one is willing to address the football fields of dirt lost to the ocean each wet season due to riverbank erosion,” Mr Dametto said.

“This erosion, particularly along the Herbert River, is not caused by farming or tree clearing—yet it’s being almost completely ignored by the DNRM and Department of Water, who are responsible for maintaining these waterways.

“If farmers were losing that much land, they’d be broke—they couldn’t afford to replace it. Yet, when it comes to the government failing in its responsibility to manage these waterways, it’s a case of sleight of hand—look over here and ignore the real problems.

“Currently, the Government is allowing multiple groups, who are often at odds with one another, to compete for funding to manage these waterways. This is an incredibly fragmented approach when our River Trusts have the statutory authority to work within our river systems. We need a more strategic approach.

“I am sick of farmers being constantly blamed for 100 per cent of sediment run off while the government gets away with blue murder. Farmers are the convenient scapegoat in this conversation.

“I am committed to fighting for a dedicated fund to resource our River Trusts to master plan a ten-year strategy for river systems which includes the Herbert River. A patch job approach to funding and remediation works is only creating infighting, angst and negative environmental impacts for all.”

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