Managing Riparian Lands in the Cotton Industry

This guide provides information on how best to manage riparian land. Different management options are provided, with the science underpinning these options
described so that on-farm decisions can be made based on the best available information. It is intended that the guide be used to complement existing information on sustainable cotton production, as well as to assist the development of other products and materials.

 Frontice and Disclaimer
 Acknowledgements
 Abbreviations vi
 1. Purpose of the guide 1 
        Background 6
 2. The importance of riparian land 3 
        What is riparian land? 3 
        Why is riparian land important? 4 
        The interaction of land and water 6 
        Factors that affect the condition of riparian land 7 
        Current status of riparian land in catchments where cotton is grown 13 
        Planning as the key to sound riparian management 14
 3. Principles for sound management of riparian land 17
 A. Trapping soil and nutrients 19 
        Case study Using nature to filter stormwater 24 
            Glen Whittaker — ‘Yahgunyah Partnership’ 
        Regenerating riparian areas to achieve multiple benefits 26 
            Harvey Gaynor and Terry Haynes — ‘Auscott Midkin’
 B. Stabilising waterways and riverbanks 28 
        Case study Reducing bank slumping and pesticide contamination 34 
            John and Robyn Watson — ‘Kilmarnock’
 C. Managing farm drains and channels for water quality 36 
        Case study The value of artificial wetlands 39 
            Wayne Reeves — ‘Parker Joint Venture’ 
        Case study Containing tailwater on-farm 40 
            Millar Farms — ‘Trawalla’
 D. Using agricultural chemicals near streams 41 
        Case study Planting trees for multiple on-farm gains 46 
            Mike and Robin Logan — ‘Oakville Pastoral Company’
 E. Managing river offtake pumps, ring tanks and storages 48 
        Case study Using on-farm wetlands to manage runoff 51 
            Mick Rose
 F. Managing riparian vegetation 52 
        Case study Using longstem native tubestock to restore riparian lands 60 
        Case study Riparian areas as living ‘haystacks’ 62 
               Bruce Kirkby — ‘Koiwon’ 
        Case study Using riparian areas as wildlife corridors 63 
            Bobbie and Lyn Brazil — ‘Anchorfield’ and ‘Bemarng’ 
        Case study Improving biodiversity on cotton farms 65 
            A summary
 G. Maintaining in-stream health 69 
        Case study Protecting and promoting biodiversity on farms 75 
            Betsy and David Turner — ‘Macintyre Downs’
 H. Managing stock 77 
        Case study Collaborating to reduce stock access and regenerate riparian areas 84 
            ‘The Island’, Wee Waa 
        Case study Managing cattle, cotton and protecting waterways 85 
            Darryl Brooks — ‘Elengerah’ 
        Case study Preventing stock losses and soil erosion 86 
                Vic Melbourne — ‘Yarrall’, Phil Norrie — ‘Mollee’
 Appendix A: A snapshot of Australia’s cotton districts 87
 Appendix B: Legislation relating to riparian land management on cotton farms 93 
        Queensland legislation 93 
        New South Wales legislation 99
 Appendix C: For further information 102
 Appendix D: Scientific names for plants used in this guideline 104
 References 105