• Noosa & District Landcare Group’s Keeping It In Kin Kin project is one of 113 projects to receive Round 3 Smart Farms Small Grants funding.
• The project’s key outcome is to reduce nutrient-laden sediment entering Lake Cootharaba.
• KIIKK will also be partnering with local landholders to maintain peak soil condition.

A team of Noosa erosion busters are receiving Australian Government support for their efforts to reduce sediment volumes in Lake Cootharaba while also boosting the catchment’s soil health and farm productivity.  

The Keeping It In Kin Kin (KIIKK) project is working with local farmers and landholders to target erosion hot spots and improve the quality of water flowing into the lake and topsoil biodiversity.
 
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said Noosa & District Landcare is using $49,887 from the Smart Farms Small Grants program to conduct on-ground activities and landholder engagement.
 
“Lake Cootharaba is one of Queensland’s most popular natural spots, as well as also being an important recreational drawcard and water resource – it needs to be managed carefully,” Minister Littleproud said.
 
“The KIIKK project’s main aim is to actively engage with landholders to create an awareness of land management practices and remediation tools that will aid in the reduction of sediment movement.
 
“The Australian Government applauds the way the community has mobilised to improve this critical local asset while also assisting farmers to adopt sustainable land management practices which will enhance their production systems.”
 
Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said one of the key benefits of the KIIKK project will be the prevention of the loss of productive top-soil from primary production land.
 
“Partnering with local landholders to improve practices that enhance soil health and condition is a fundamental aspect of this project,” Mr O’Brien said.
 
“On-ground activities will extend the area of natural riparian habitat, address soil erosion issues and improve soil health.
 
“There will also be workshops and field days on topics such as pasture management, rotational grazing, pasture species diversity, exclusion fencing, off creek stock watering points and how to improve soil through increasing microbial activity and organic matter.”
 
Smart Farms Small Grants is part of the second phase of the National Landcare program, a $1.1 billion Australian Government commitment to natural resource management.
 
More than $5 million is being invested in 113 projects through Round 3 of Smart Farms Small Grants. 
 
The recipients of the grants include Landcare, farming businesses, farm systems groups, community groups and indigenous organisations.
 
This program is developing and extending new tools and technologies to help farmers and regional communities adopt best practice land management.
 
For more details about Smart Farms Small Grants click onto Australian Government investment in Landcare
 
Fast Facts  

• Agriculture is the predominant landuse in the 20,000-hectare Kin Kin catchment, with livestock grazing, mixed farming and horticulture the main enterprises.
• Noosa & District Landcare Group promotes the value, protection and rehabilitation of coastal and hinterland ecosystems within the Noosa Biosphere and local associated regions.
• The KIIKK project will be completed by June 2022.