Rural Land Program - Melbourne Water · land stewards Whether we earn an income from agriculture or just enjoy living in a rural area, it is important that our land management practices

Rural Land ProgramA guide to reducing the impact of runoff to waterways

We are all land stewardsWhether we earn an income from agriculture or just enjoy living in a rural area, it is important that our land management practices do not harm our waterways.

This manual details the principles around good land management for improving the quality of runoff from your property. It describes a number of best management practices that you can implement to keep nutrients and sediments on your property and out of our waterways.

Implementing these best management practices will not only have a positive impact on the waterways, taking actions to improve runoff from your property also makes good business sense. Valuable soils are retained on farm, less money is spent on fertilisers and a safer working environment is created. Other flow-on benefits may include productivity improvements, enhanced aesthetics and a healthier farm environment.

The manual also features a simple checklist in each section to help you privately assess your own land management. If you are already implementing best management practices, well done! If not, the manual will help you identify areas that could be improved, and the steps that you can take to improve the quality of runoff leaving your property.

Water Sensitive Farm Design / 1

How runoff threatens our waterways

Rain that falls on your property can end up in our creeks or rivers as runoff.

As it travels across your property, runoff has the potential to collect sediment, nutrients and other contaminants which are then deposited into our waterways.

The detrimental impacts of sediment, nutrients and other contaminants on our waterways include:

• poorwaterquality

• theproliferationofnuisancealgae

• increasedeutrophication(whenanabundanceofalgaestarvesotheraquaticorganismsofoxygen)

• higherincidenceofwaterbornediseases

• lossofbiodiversity.

Prevention is better than a cure

Treating the problems caused by excessive nutrients, sediments and contaminants entering our creeks and rivers is costly.

A more effective strategy involves encouraging responsible land management practices to reduce the amount of nutrients, sediments and other contaminants leaving properties in runoff.

The management practices outlined in this manual are based on the following eight principles of responsible land management for improving the quality of runoff from your property:

1. Plan to protect the water sensitive areas on your property pg 2

2. Exclude water sensitive areas from production pg 4

3. Vegetate your water sensitive areas pg 6

4. Manage your property to optimise soil health pg 8

5. Understand, monitor and plan your property’s nutrient inputs and outputs pg 12

6. Design and manage drainage systems to reduce erosion and prevent runoff flowing directly into water sensitive areas pg 16

7. Design and manage tracks, roads and crossings to reduce erosion and runoff pg 18

8. Design, construct and manage treatment systems to intercept and treat sediment and nutrient loads pg 20

Water Sensitive Farm Design / 32 / Melbourne Water 2012

1. Plan to protect the water sensitive areas on your property

• locatewherethewatersensitiveareasareonyourproperty

• takeactiontoprotectthem

• communicatetheplantoeveryonewhoworkson/usesyourproperty

• assessandmonitoryourplanregularly.

Benefits of planning to protect the water sensitive areas on your property include:

• abetterunderstandingofhowyouractionsimpactthequality of runoff leaving your property

• identifyingwaysthatyoucoulduseyourpropertymoreefficiently

• theabilitytoprioritiseyourgoals

• theabilitytomonitorandevaluateyourprogress

• ameansofcommunicatingyourpropertygoalstoyourfamily/employees.

BesT prAcTIce

IhavepreparedaPropertyManagementPlan(PMP)thatshowsthewatersensitiveareasonmyproperty.

ThePMPclearlyshowstheatriskwatersensitiveareasonmyproperty(thoseareaswhererunoffislikelytocollectsediment, nutrientsorothercontaminants)eg:

•areaspronetoerosion,pugging,waterlogging,compaction

•hightrafficareas

•unvegetatedslopes

•placeswherestockcongregateegfeedareas,troughs.

ThePMPdocumentstheactionsIamtakingto:

•managethewatersensitiveareas

•manageand/orrepairtheproblemareas.

I regularly check and assess the condition of the water sensitive areas and problem areas on my property and record my observations in the pMp.

Best management practices

Planning to protect water sensitive areas

Water sensitive areas are those areas on your property that hold or carry water, or that can be reasonably expected to hold or carry water in certain conditions.

‘Water sensitive areas’ include waterways, drains, dams, wetlands, gullies and natural drainage lines, seeps, soaks, springs, low-lying or seasonally wet areas.


2. Exclude water sensitive areas from production

• avoidcultivatingwatersensitiveareas

• excludestockfromwatersensitiveareas.

Benefits of excluding water sensitive areas from production include:

• improvedwaterquality,becausestockarenotpollutingthewatersensitiveareas

• improvedwaterqualitybecausefertilisers,herbicides,pesticidesetc are not being used near the waterway

• reducederosionandsedimentationbecausestock,vehiclesandmachinery are not damaging the physical structure of the soil

• saferworkingenvironment

• saferandmoreefficientstockmanagement

• wellmanagedwatersensitiveareasareusuallyaestheticallyattractive and can lead to increased property values

• indigenousvegetationislikelytoregeneratenaturally, makingiteasierandcheapertorevegetatethearea.

• reducedstocklossesfromgettingbogged/fallinginwatersensitiveareas.

BesT prAcTIce

I never cultivate or graze the streams and wetlands on my property.

Ionlygrazetheseasonallywetareasofmyproperty:

•indryperiods,and

•iftheyarewell-vegetated(ideally100%groundcover).

IhavecreatedabufferzonebetweenthewatersensitiveareasandtheareasthatIgrazeorcultivatethatis:

•atleast20mwide

•well-vegetated(ideally100%)atalltimes

•plantedwithnative(preferablyindigenous)trees,shrubsandgrasses.

Allstockwaterisprovidedviatroughsthatare:

•locatedatleast20mfromwatersensitiveareas

•constructedonafirmbasetopreventerosion

•notconnectedtowatersensitiveareasviadrainagelines.

Ihavebuilttracksandlanewaysatleast20mfromthewatersensitiveareas.

Ihaveconstructedbridgesand/orcrossingsinaccordancewiththeBMPsonpg19.

Feedpointsare:

•locatedasfarfromwatersensitiveareasaspossible

•notconnectedtowatersensitiveareasviadrainagelines

•shiftedaroundthepaddockregularly.

Waste(rubbish,manure,carcassesetc)is:

•neverstockpiledorstorednearwatersensitiveareas

•alwaysdisposedof(atrefusetip,knackery,on-farm)inaccordancewithrelevantlegislation.


Excluding water sensitive areas from production

Although water sensitive areas can be productive, they are also fragile. Livestock and the equipment used for cultivation can damage the soil structure and destroy the protective layer of vegetation, causing erosion and sedimentation. There is also a high risk that manure and urine (which are both high in nutrients and bacteria), fertilisers, pesticides and herbicides will flow into our waterways, particularly after rain events.


3. Vegetate your water sensitive areas• maintainadequategroundcovertoreduceerosionandfilternutrients

• establishindigenousvegetationtoprovidenaturalfiltering

• encouragebiodiversitytoimprovesoilbiologyandnutrientcycling

• managepasturesaccordingtoseasonalconditions.

Benefits of revegetating your water sensitive areas include:

• reducederosionandsedimentation,becausehealthyvegetation binds the soil and reduces water flow

• improvedwaterquality,becausenutrientsandcontaminantsare trapped before they can enter the waterway

• shelterandshadeforstock

• windbreakforcrops

• improvedbiodiversity

• amoreattractivepropertythatcancontributetoincreasedlandvalues.

BesT prAcTIce

Ihavecreatedbufferzonesalongthewatersensitiveareasonmypropertythatare:

•atleast20mwide

•well-vegetated(ideally100%)atalltimes.

Thevegetationinthebufferzonesis:

•indigenoustomyarea

•amixtureofgrasses,shrubsandtrees.

Invasivewoodyweeds(suchaswillowsandblackberries)havebeenremovedfromthewatersensitiveareas.

I undertake ongoing weed control to ensure that invasive weeds do not re-establish in the water sensitive areas.


Vegetate the water sensitive areas on your property

Healthy root systems minimise the negative impacts of production activities because they bind the soil and trap nutrients before they enter our waterways. Indigenous vegetation is preferable to exotic species because it provides habitat for wildlife, and encourages healthy aquatic ecosystems that play an important role in recycling nutrients.

Vegetating your waterways can also have productivity benefits, including shade and shelter for stock, and windbreaks for crops.


4. Manage your property to optimise soil health

• maintainpasture/vegetationcovertopromotesoilbiologyandavoiderosion

• soiltestregularly

• monitorandtreatimbalancessuchasacidityandsalinity

• avoidexcessivesoildisturbance

• calculateyournutrientrequirementsusingtheresultsofsoiltestsand your specific production objectives (these may vary over your property).

Benefits of optimising soil health include:• retentionofvaluableassets(soilandnutrients)throughbettersoilmanagement

• moreproductivesoil,becausehealthysoilsretainmoistureandnutrients

• reducedfertiliserbills,becausehealthysoilsenableplantsto use the nutrients that are already in the soil and atmosphere

• saferenvironmentforhumansandstock.

BesT prAcTIce

Ihavedividedthepropertyintodistinctproductionandmanagementareasaccordingtothedifferent:

•soiltypes

•topography(egslopes,depressions)

•soilcapabilities

•problemareas*.

*problemareasarethoseareaswhererunoffislikelytocollectsediment,nutrientsorothercontaminantseg:

•areaspronetoerosion,pugging,waterlogging,compaction

•high-useareas

•unvegetatedslopes

•placeswherestockcongregateegfeedpoints,troughs.

Ihaverevegetatedortakenactiontoremediate:

•slopes>15°

•depressionsandlowpoints

•problemareas.

Icarryoutsoiltests:

•atleasteverytwoyears(ormoreaccordingtoindustrypractice)

•onsamplestakenfrom30corescollectedfromrepresentativetransects,takenatthesametimeofyear.

•usingaccreditedlaboratoriesandsamplingtechniques

•ideally,usingthesamelaboratorytoprovideinterpretationandadvice.

Itakeactiontoaddressproblemsorimbalancesidentifiedbysoiltestsincluding:

•acidity/alkalinity(pH)

•salinity

•nutrientdeficiencies.

Iamtakingstepstoimprovesoilbiologicalactivityonmypropertyeg:

•incorporatingorganicmatterintothesoil

•minimumtillage

•rotationalgrazing/cropping

•optimisingfertiliseruse

•usingchemicalsinawaythatwillnotinhibitsoilbiologicalactivity.


Optimising soil health

Soils that are biologically active, chemically balanced and well-structured are more effective at retaining moisture, resisting erosion and utilising available soil nutrients than less healthy soils. Adopting strategies that improve soil health will reduce runoff, erosion and sedimentation, and allow you to use less inputs (fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides) for production.


Best management practices continued...

Optimise soil health

BesT prAcTIce

Mybufferzonesarecomplementedby:

•grassfilterstrips

•swales

•diversionbanksand/or

•contourbanks

to slow and filter runoff before it reaches the waterways.

Icultivateslopes:

•onthecontourwheresafetodoso

•sothatrowsareatrightanglestothedirectionofwaterflow

•leavingagrassstrip(orvolunteersod)betweenrows.

Runoffisdirectedintoanappropriatetreatmentsystem(seepg23)beforeitentersthewatersensitiveareas.

I aim to maintain full groundcover throughout the property.

Irotationallygrazeeverypaddockonmypropertyaccordingtoasystemthat:

•aimstomaintainfullgroundcoveratalltimes

•takesintoaccountseasonalvariationsinstockneedsandpasturequality

•includesarestperiod.

Thepastureonmyproperty:

•ispredominantlyperennials,and

•comprisesseveraldifferentspecies.

Imaintainfullgroundcoverby:

•havingnofallowperiodsinmycroppingschedule

•plantinggreenmanurecropsorhavingmoreestablishedplantingsonsteepareaswhenhighrainfallisexpected

•usingafeedpadorsacrificearea(positionedawayfromwatersensitiveareasandwaterways)toassistwith maintaining pasture cover

I harrow each paddock at regular intervals to incorporate the manure into the soil.


5. Monitor and plan your property’s nutrient inputs and outputs

• developanutrientmanagementplan

• ensurethatfertilisersandwasteproductsarekeptoutofwatersensitiveareas

• matchyournutrientinputstoyoursoil’scapabilitiesandyourproductiongoals

• matchirrigationtocrop/pasturerequirements

• treatrunoffthatcontainsnutrientsbeforeitleavesyourproperty

• timeyournutrientapplicationstomaximiseuptakebycrops/pasture(ieduringgrowth periods) and to minimise the risk of runoff (ie avoiding rain events)

• disposeofwasteincompliancewithallrelevantlegislation

• storewastematerialsawayfromwatersensitiveareas.

Benefits of monitoring and planning your property’s nutrient inputs and outputs include:

• improvedwaterqualitybecausenutrientsarenotenteringthewaterwaysinrunoff

• improvedproductionbecausetheplants’specificnutrientneedsarebeingidentifiedandmet

• reducedfertiliserbillbecause:

- only the nutrients that are needed are being applied

- nutrientsarebeingappliedatratesandtimestomaximiseplantuptake

- lesswastagethroughrunoff.

BesT prAcTIce

IhavepreparedaNutrientManagementPlanforeachmanagementareaonmypropertythatincludes:

•theresultsofsoiltests*

•fertiliserhistory

•currentproductionobjectives

•optimumnutrientlevelstomeetproductionobjectives

•currentbestmanagementpracticesforapplyingfertilisers

•currentbestmanagementpracticesforstoringfertilisersandchemicals.

*refertopg9

Eachyear,IprepareaNutrientBudgetforeachmanagementareaonmypropertythatincludes:

•totalnutrientinputs(egfertiliser,traceelements)

•totalnutrientoutputs(egcrops,hay,wool,meat,milk,manure)

•netnutrients(ietotaloutputslesstotalinputs).

Eachyear,IusetheNutrientBudgettocalculate:

•theamountoffertiliser(nutrientsandtraceelements),and

•theapplicationrate

required for each management area on my property.

Irelyontheresults:

•ofsoiltests,

•visualexamination,and

•leafortissueanalysis

to determine whether nutrient levels are adequate for plant growth.

Iavoidapplyingfertiliser:

•towaterloggedsoils

•within20mofwatersensitiveareas

•within30mofwatersensitiveareaswheretheslope>3°

•overdrainagelines

•toProblemAreas

•toareaswithlessthanfullpasturecover

•ondaysofhighwind


Nutrient management

Unabsorbed nutrients (fertilisers, manure and effluent) are easily transported off your property in runoff. This nutrient load is both a loss to production, and a threat to our waterways.

Taking the time to understand exactly how much nutrients your soils, crops and pastures actually require (and when they require them) will improve the quality of runoff leaving your property. It will also reduce your fertiliser costs because you will not be paying for nutrients that your soils, crops and pastures cannot absorb.


BesT prAcTIce

Ischedulefertiliserandeffluentapplicationsto:

•avoidirrigationorrainevents(2daysinthecaseofnitrogenand4daysinthecaseofphosphorus)

•takeplacewhenplantnutrientuptakewillbegreatest,asindicatedby:

- soil moisture levels,

- soil temperature, and

- plant growth cycles.

Whenapplyingfertiliseroreffluent,I:

•selectthemostefficientandpracticalmethodforapplyingfertiliserforeachcroptype

•ensurethatthedeliverymethodiscorrectlycalibratedbeforeuse.

Fertilisersandchemicalsarestored,usedandhandled:

•awayfromwatersensitiveareas

•inamannerthatpreventsfertilisersandchemicalsenteringwatersensitiveareas

•incompliancewithallrelevantlegislativeandindustryrequirementseg:

- epA

-AgriculturalandVeterinaryChemicals(ControlofUse)Act

IhaveanAgriculturalChemicalUsersPermit.

I use a Fertcare accredited spreader.

Best management practices continued...

Nutrient management


6. Design and manage drainage systems to reduce erosion and prevent runoff flowing directly into waterways

• usevegetationtoslowflowsandtrapandfilternutrientsandsediment

• slowwaterflows,toreduceerosionrisk

• maintaindrainageandtreatmentsystemsingoodworkingorder

• ifsedimentandnutrientloadsremainhigh,installatreatmentsystem to treat runoff before it enters our waterways.

Benefits of well designed and maintained drainage systems include:

• improvedwaterqualitybecauserunoffistreatedbeforeitentersthewaterways

• additionalsourceofwaterandnutrients(egretentionponds,effluentponds).

BesT prAcTIce

Ihavereceived:

•adviceondesigningefficientandeffectivedrainagesystemsfromanappropriatelyqualifiedconsultant

•anynecessaryapprovalstobuildthedrainagesystemsonmyproperty.

Thedrainsonmyproperty:

•arebroad,shallowandgrassed

•donotconnectdirectlywithawatersensitivearea

•areinterceptedbyatleastonetreatmentprocessthatiscapableofmanaginghighflowevents(egapaddock)

•slowwaterflow‘toawalk’(ifnecessary,haybalesorcoirlogscanbeplacedintodrainagelines).

•arefencedofftoexcludestockandmachinery

•areprotectedbyafilterstripthatisatleast5mwide

Ihavedesigneddrainsthat:

•canaccommodatemaximumrunofffromhighrainfallevents

•areplacedalongcontourlines

•arebuiltwithsideslopes(batters)thatarestableforthesoiltypeandallowforeasymaintenance–preferablynosteeperthan3(horizontal):1(vertical)


Designing and maintaining drainage systems

Poorly designed and/or maintained drainage systems are a major contributor to poor water quality in our catchments. Features such as swales will help to reduce water flow speeds and minimise the risk of erosion. Use reed beds, sediment traps, retention ponds or grassed paddocks to remove nutrients, sediment and other contaminants from runoff before it enters our waterways.


7. Design and manage tracks, roads and crossings to reduce erosion and runoff

• tracks,roadsandcrossingsshouldbewell-constructedandbuiltonhard,stableground

• directrunofftoappropriatedrainage/treatmentpoints

• avoidwatersensitiveareaswherepossible

• designtracks,roadsandcrossingstoshedwater,notcarryit.

Benefits of managing tracks, roads and crossings include:• reducederosionbecauseroadsandtracksarewell-constructedandsited

• safer,easierenvironmentformovingstockandmachinery

• reducedmaintenancecosts

• roadsandtracksarewell-constructedandsited.

BesT prAcTIce

ThePropertyManagementPlan(PMP)(seepg3)includes:

•allroads,tracksandcrossings

•observationsaboutthetypeoftrafficandfrequencyofuse

•observationsaboutrunoff

•annualinspectionofdrains,roads,tracksandcrossings

•strategiesforremediatingrunoffproblems(includingerosion).

Crushedrockorsurfacegravelareusedtoprotect:

•allhigh-useroadsandtracks

•crossings

•thosepartsoflow-useroadsandtracksthatareatriskoferosionegslopes.

Roadsandtracks:

•arebuiltonhard,stableground

•areshapedtoshedwater

•arewideenoughforbothtrafficanddrainage.

runoff from roads and tracks is diverted into an appropriate treatment system.

roads and tracks are never used as containment areas or feed pads.

Crossingsareavoidedifpossible,butifrequired,are:

•freespanbridges

•locatedatstablepartsofthewaterway

•fencedsothatstockcannotwanderintothewaterway

•builtandmanagedincompliancewithrelevantlegislation

•designedtopreventerosionanddrainageintothewaterway

•complementedbywell-vegetatedbanksandverges.


Roads, tracks and crossings

Runoff from poorly designed or maintained roads, tracks and crossings is a major source of sediment, nutrients and contaminants. Roads and tracks should be built of hard materials that will not erode. Crossings should not interfere with the natural waterflow. It is important that runoff is intercepted and ideally treated (eg via reed beds, sediment traps, retention ponds or grassed paddocks) before it enters our waterways.


8. Design, construct and manage treatment systems to intercept and treat sediment and nutrient loads

• identifythesourceofthenutrientand/orsedimentloadandtakestepsto reduce the load before considering a treatment system

• selectanappropriatetreatmentsystemforthetypeandsizeofsedimentand/ornutrientloadandthecatchmentarea

• rememberthatachainoftreatmentsystemsismoreeffectivethanonetreatmentsystem

• monitorandmaintainthetreatmentsystem.

Benefits of managing treatment systems include:

• reducedriskofwaterbornediseaseandcontaminationofwatersupply

• reducedfertiliserbill,asaresultofrecyclingwasteproducts(manure,cropresidueetc)

• neater,moreattractiveproperty

• createsanadditionalwatersourcewhichcanbereusedorrecycled

BesT prAcTIce

Ihaveidentifiedandmeasuredthekeypollutantsinthesediment/nutrientload.

Ihave:

•identifiedthesourceofthesedimentand/ornutrientload,and

•takenactiontoreducetheamountofthesedimentand/ornutrientload.

Ihavereceived:

•adviceondesigningefficientandeffectivetreatmentsystemsfromanappropriatelyqualifiedconsultant,and

•anynecessaryapprovalstobuildthetreatmentsystemsonmyproperty.

Thetreatmentsystemisappropriateforthe:

•sizeandtypeofsedimentand/ornutrientload,

•sizeofthecatchmentarea,

•soiltype,

•topography,and

•availablecleaningequipment

Ihaveconstructedachainoftreatmentsystemstomaximizetheeffectivenessoftheoverallsystem.

I ensure that sediment loads are treated before nutrient loads.

I maintain and monitor the effectiveness of my treatment system.


Treatment systems

Most of the best management practices in this manual are preventative: that is, they are designed to prevent sediments and nutrients from entering the runoff on your property.

Sometimes, however, sediment and nutrient loads remain unacceptably high. In these situations, runoff must be intercepted and treated before it can safely leave your property. Remedial treatment systems for removing sediment and coarse contaminants from runoff include sediment traps, sediment retention basins and grassed swales. Remedial treatment systems for removing nutrients from runoff include wetlands, bio-retention/filtration systems and grassed swales.

You’ve completed the checklist, and have identified some areas where you could improve your land management practices. What next?Your next step is to develop an action plan that sets out what you are going to do to improve your management practices. There are a number of organisations – including Melbourne Water and Landcare – that can help you develop, and in certain cases, implement action plans.

For general and technical advice, and information on funding support:

Melbourne Water Rural Land Program River Health Incentives Program (03) 9679 7431 www.melbournewater.com.au

Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (03) 9208 3333 www.economicdevelopment.vic.gov.au

Port Phillip and Westernport Catchment Management Authority (03) 8781 7900 www.ppwcma.vic.gov.au

Landcare (03) 9662 9977 www.landcareonline.com.au

Greening Australia (03) 9450 5300 www.greeningaustralia.org.au

Waterwatch 131 722 www.vic.waterwatch.org.au

Weeds Australia (03) 6344 9657 www.weeds.org.au

Useful industry contacts

Dairy Australia (03) 9694 3777 www.dairyaustralia.com.au

EnviroVeg (03) 9822 0388 www.enviroveg.com

Horticultural Industry Network www.hin.com.au

Meat & Livestock Australia www.mla.com.au (02) 9463 9333

Victoria Farmers Federation 1300 882 833 www.vff.org.au

For general information about legislation that may apply to the way you manage your property

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 1300 372 842 www.epa.vic.gov.au

www.legislation.vic.gov.au

www.victorialaw.org.au

Melbourne Water 990LaTrobeStreet,DocklandsVIC3008

POBox4342MelbourneVictoria3001

Telephone131722 melbournewater.com.au

ISBN978-1-921911-49-1(print) ISBN978-1-921911-50-7(web)

©Copyright2012

Melbourne Water corporation. All rights reserved.

Documents

Rural Land Program - Melbourne Water · land stewards Whether we earn an income from agriculture or just enjoy living in a rural area, it is important that our land management practices