About Us

BJFG was formed in 1992 to address the increasingly complex agricultural problems associated with farming on the Condamine floodplain. A plan was needed which was sensitive to modern environmental awareness, catered for high value crops, delivered economic stability, was flexible and took into account the ageing rural community.

BJFG has seven large sub catchment areas based on local communities, which coincide with the major landscapes (uplands & floodplains) and with rural industries (cattle & cropping).

Local communities within each sub catchment develop their own natural resource management plans. Strategic on ground works are identified at sub catchment planning activities in which all stakeholders are invited to participate.

BJFG actively seeks subsidies to provide incentives to accelerate on ground action within priority areas that lead to improvement in the environment. Subsidies aim to reduce soil erosion and degradation, improve water quality, preserve vegetation and riverine habitats, create wildlife corridors, control weeds and prevent salinity. They also have social and economic implications.

Sponsorship is sought from corporate and regional bodies to “fast track” the implementation of activities. An example is the sponsorship for the planting of trees on farms as well as on public land.

A range of research projects are being undertaken within the BJFG area by various Government departments and private organisations. These research projects underpin BJFG extension activities, which aims to inform landholders of the latest technology and equip them with the skills to keep abreast of the most recent best management practices.

Findings from a socio economic analysis conducted by the Bureau of Rural Science of the Western Downs area indicated that BJFG participants were better equipped and empowered to identify and respond to a range of natural resource management issues compared to other areas. This is a key finding which highlights the effectiveness of Landcare in the BJFG area.

Participation

A strong sense of community ownership and pride of achievement has now developed. Today Brigalow Jimbour Floodplains Group has participation rates by landholders reaching 95%. The Project leader attributes the high participation rate to the fact that, from the outset, the project has been “locally driven and owned” through community-based catchment planning processes.

Brigalow-Jimbour Floodplains Group Inc. Participation Rate

The BJFG Strategic Plan represents a community-driven “whole of catchment” approach for the seven sub-catchment groups within the 580,000 hectare project area. The Plan is endorsed by the Condamine Alliance and aligned with the Queensland Murray Darling Basin Natural Resource Management Strategy.

Financial management, administration and priority setting for the project are the responsibility of a management committee. Each sub-catchment area is represented by two landholders on the management committee and local government representatives.

Local committees within each sub-catchment area set priorities, direct activities and manage their own workplans. As well as encouraging participation and allowing all stakeholders to share in ownership and commitment to the project, this structure has been very successful in addressing a key challenge for the project – the need to “stay local” within a large project area (580,000 hectares), as well as addressing the diversity of activity and landscapes within that area.

On-going project monitoring and evaluation has shown that a major attraction to new group members has been BJFG’s reputation for delivering measurable benefits to participants. BJFG stands on its record as a “can-do group with a have-done reputation”, and looks forward to representing its members in this dynamic environment of sustainable farming practices and natural resource management.