Farmers, regional communities, and native species will benefit from seven new projects announced under the Queensland Government’s Natural Resource Management Expansion Program (NRMEP), delivered in partnership with NRM Regions Queensland.

FBA, Southern Queensland Landscapes and Reef Catchments will share in $26.5 million as part of the Government’s commitment to boost support for managing the state’s natural assets.

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last announced the projects in Rockhampton, Toowoomba and Mackay this week.

In total, the NRMEP will deliver $117.84 million in on-ground land, water, and biodiversity projects across Queensland over the next three years.

FBA

A combined $9.66 million has been invested to deliver two vital projects to protect vulnerable turtles and unique ecosystems in Central Queensland.

FBA will receive $9.46 million for their Nature Positive Fitzroy Farms project, restoring biodiversity across more than 17,000 hectares of Brigalow Country through land management, soil resilience, and vegetation restoration.

A further $200,000 will fund the Marine Turtle Guardians initiative, to manage pests and support local volunteers as they monitor and protect turtles during the critical nesting season.

FBA CEO Elyse Riethmuller said the projects will help build long-term environmental resilience in the region.

“We have a proud record of connecting communities and land managers with tailored support and practical services,” Ms Riethmuller said.

“These projects will help drive local productivity, strengthen environmental resilience, and foster healthier, more sustainable landscapes across our region.”

Southern Queensland Landscapes

Southern Queensland will benefit from more than $9 million in NRMEP funding to safeguard natural assets.

Southern Queensland Landscapes will receive $6.6 million to improve 124,500 hectares of land and vegetation along key waterways in the region by installing fences and watering points to manage stock.

A further $2.5 million will support koala movement through the Quilpie, Upper Bulloo, Upper Warrego, Adavale, Eulo, and Lavelle areas by removing key threats, including wild dogs.

Southern Queensland Landscapes CEO Gillian Meppem said the investment is the vital link between healthy landscapes, productive agriculture, resilient koala populations, and thriving waterways.

“These projects are focused on protecting our waterways through improved grazing management and supporting thriving koala populations across Southern Queensland by tackling key threats such as wild dogs,” Ms Meppem said.

“Through better grazing management, strategic fencing, and improved watering infrastructure, we will enhance ground cover and protect waterways, ensuring our landscapes are more capable of resisting and recovering from natural disasters and weather events.”

The SQL funding announcement was held in Toowoomba with Minister Dale Last.

Reef Catchments

The Mackay Whitsunday region is set to receive almost $7.8 million across three NRMEP projects.

Reef Catchments will benefit from more than $4.8 million to restore eight kilometres of streambank along Cattle Creek, strengthen the riparian corridor, enhance in-stream habitats, and reduce sediment flow to the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.

A further $1.9 million will improve and connect 57 hectares of prime koala habitat from South Koumala to north of Eton, creating safe, healthy corridors for one of Queensland’s most iconic species.

The organisation will also receive more than $1 million to help restore inshore reefs using innovative Coral IVF techniques and reseed Pioneer Bay seagrass meadows.

Reef Catchments CEO Katrina Dent said the funding will be directed at priority areas that enhance biodiversity outcomes.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the Queensland Government’s investment in natural resource management through the NRMEP,” Ms Dent said.

“This funding will allow us to scale up our efforts for critical ecosystems and to target hotspot areas where previous weather events have damaged key parts of the region.”

Supporting Regional Communities

Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dale Last said the funding will deliver real environmental outcomes through local knowledge.

“This funding is about backing real action, by supporting local experts who understand their region and what it takes to protect it,” Minister Last said.

“These projects will deliver real on-ground results for our environment and the communities who depend on healthy landscapes and waterways.”

NRM Regions Queensland CEO Chris Norman said regional NRM organisations have worked with their communities to develop projects that deliver outcomes for people, and for land and water assets.

“The initiatives announced this week are part of a suite of projects that work with communities across Queensland ensuring we deliver local jobs as well as outcomes for local biodiversity, land condition, and water quality,” he said.