A new trial project is helping primary producers reduce their flood risk across Bundaberg, Gayndah, Sunshine Coast, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and the Gold Coast.
Minister for Agricultural Industry Development Mark Furner said Queensland is struck by natural disasters each season, and the government is working with industry to give primary producers access to the latest cutting-edge tools and technologies to help better manage the risks.
"Under this trial, involving 10 producers, a flood map will be generated for each property with a customised risk mitigation and management plan," Mr Furner said.
"Mapping will be supported by a workshop and on-farm discussions to assist producers in understanding their flood-risk, and to look at options to mitigate flood impacts long-term through management decisions and strategies.
"Overall this project may lead to improved understanding of flood vulnerabilities for specific agriculture industries and farm locations."
Mr Furner said other potential benefits include identifying beneficial infrastructure projects such as designing farm road access to minimise supply chain impact, improving plans for managing livestock when floods approach, and information regarding timing and location of planting crops.
"The project will also increase resourcing of spatial data mapping services to build a comprehensive flood mapping resource for Queensland," he said.
This project is being delivered by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Queensland Farmers' Federation, Growcom and the Queensland Dairyfarmers' Organisation with joint funding from the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments under the Natural Disaster Resilience Program.
QFF CEO Dr Georgina Davis thanked the Queensland and Australian Governments for their support as farmers' look to forecasts and their own weather data records this season.
"Natural disasters and ongoing change are part of farming in Queensland, so it is essential that we learn from each weather event and ensure preparedness, recovery and resilience processes across the sector continue to improve," Dr Davis said.
"With severe weather events predicted to be more frequent and intense in the future, this project is the beginning of an ongoing and regular discussion that will enable effective disaster preparedness outcomes."
The project is also funded by the Queensland Government's Drought and Climate Adaptation Program, which aims to help producers better manage drought and climate impacts.
