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Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience grants scheme

The Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub leads a regional, collaborative approach with northern Queensland stakeholders to support the agricultural sector and communities to become more drought and climate resilient. 

We have funded nearly $350,000 for projects through our Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience grants scheme that have demonstrate tangible benefits to one or more of the TNQ Drought Hub Priority Issues within the themes of: 

  • Drought and climate change adaptation
  • Land and soil management
  • Innovation and technology
  • Enhancing skills and human capacity
  • Enhancing Sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Resilience.

Congratulations to the successful recipients!

You can read their final reports, factsheet, watch case study videos and learn more below. 

Lead Organisation: Gulf Savannah NRM

Project Title: Exploring perceptions and best practice adoption of silvopastoral systems as a strategy for drought resilience in the Northern Gulf

Location: Far North Queensland

Funding Amount: $100,000 gst excl

Summary: This project in collaboration with Gulf Savannah NRM and North Queensland Forestry Hub will explore perceptions and best practice adoption of silvopastoral systems as a strategy for drought resilience in the Northern Gulf.  Silvopasture is an agricultural system combining forestry with livestock grazing. 

The project aims to:

  • Gain a greater understanding of the perceptions of silvopastoral systems among graziers and the wider community in Far North Queensland’s Gulf region
  • Assess the most suitable tree species for silvopastoral systems in the gulf
  • Identify any co-benefits associated with the most suitable tree species, for example drought fodder, shade for stock, or habitat improvement for biodiversity outcomes
  • Investigate establishment methods to increase survival rates for plantings

Background

The Northern Gulf region of Queensland is a vast and ecologically diverse area, covering over 196,000 km². With more than 84% of the land used for extensive beef cattle grazing, agriculture is a cornerstone of the regional economy, contributing up to $750 million annually.

However, the region faces mounting challenges due to climate change, including rising temperatures, extended droughts, and declining land condition. If current trends continue, grazing capacity could fall by 50% by 2046.

Producers are now looking for innovative ways to build resilience into their businesses and landscapes.

In response, Gulf Savannah NRM and the North Queensland Regional Forestry Hub, supported by the TNQ Drought Hub through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, launched a project to explore silvopasture (the integration of trees, pasture, and livestock) as a strategy to build drought resilience.

Silvopastoral systems offer dual benefits including long-term timber production and short-term gains from livestock, while improving land health and climate adaptability.

The project aimed to assess land suitability, identify appropriate tree species, and understand landholder perceptions to support the transition from intensive grazing to more sustainable systems.

Why This Matters

Silvopasture offers a practical, sustainable solution to some of the region’s most pressing challenges. It can:

  • Provide shade and fodder for livestock, reducing heat stress
  • Improve soil health and pasture productivity
  • Diversify income through timber and beef production
  • Enhance carbon storage and climate resilience

With projected temperature increases of up to 3.7°C by 2070 and evaporation rates already double the annual rainfall, the need for adaptive land management is urgent. Silvopasture systems can buffer these impacts, offering ecological and financial benefits while supporting long-term sustainability for producers and communities.

International examples from Kenya, India, Latin America, and Senegal show that integrating trees into grazing systems can dramatically improve productivity, soil health, and ecosystem restoration.

For communities in the Northern Gulf, adopting silvopasture could mean stronger local economies, healthier landscapes, and greater preparedness for future droughts.

What We Did

The project involved a multi-faceted approach:

  • Spatial analysis of land suitability, identifying over 12.6 million hectares of pastureland and 47,677 hectares of X-class land as viable for silvopasture.
  • Partnered with forestry experts to identify drought-tolerant, high-value timber species, including Eucalyptus crebra, E. camaldulensis, and Khaya senegalensis.
  • Surveying 49 stakeholders across the region revealed landholder perceptions, challenges, and interest in silvopasture. Respondents included farmers, landowners, and local government representatives.
  • Field engagement included a regional study tour, workshops, and property visits to connect researchers with producers. Examples from the Cardwell CRCNA project and the Steak ‘n Wood project demonstrated successful configurations, including double-row plantings with pasture alleys and integration of legumes like Leucaena.
  • Collaborated with researchers and government staff, including Central Queensland University, Queensland Department of Primary Industries, and Department of Natural Resources and Mines to share knowledge and showcase trials.

The survey covered awareness, livestock management, perceived benefits, and barriers to adoption. It also gathered insights into preferred tree species, with many landholders favouring Lancewood, Ironbark, and Bloodwood for their natural growth and livestock benefits.

The project also explored planting densities, light management, and soil improvement strategies using tree legumes and herbaceous legumes to enhance nitrogen levels and pasture quality.

What Changed

The project sparked strong interest across the region:

  • 61.7% of respondents are considering planting trees in pastureland.
  • 79.2% see economic potential in dual-output systems (timber and beef).
  • 77.6% believe silvopasture can help mitigate climate change and improve drought resilience.
  • 56.5% identified multiple benefits, including improved animal welfare, land rehabilitation, ecosystem services and diversified income streams.
  • The study tour and workshops facilitated valuable knowledge exchange between producers and researchers.

The final report and summary fact sheet now serve as accessible resources for landholders exploring silvopasture. The project also highlighted the importance of species selection, with preliminary growth data showing moderate performance and survival rates across trials.

Opportunities for Improvement

While the project achieved strong engagement, several challenges emerged:

  • Logistics of coordinating expert visits across vast distances proved difficult, underscoring the need for flexible planning in remote regions.
  • Regulatory barriers, including vegetation laws, land tenure and water licensing, were frequently cited as obstacles to adoption.
  • Community perceptions were mostly neutral or negative, highlighting the need for education and demonstration.
  • Resource gaps, with landholders requesting financial support, technical advice, and market information.
  • High establishment costs and lack of technical support limited confidence in adoption.

Key Learnings

Key learnings include:

  • Silvopasture requires active landholder engagement and ongoing management, not a “set and forget” approach.
  • Thinning, pruning, and rotational grazing are essential to balance tree growth and pasture productivity.
  • Legume integration can significantly improve soil fertility and livestock performance.
  • Government support through funding, technical assistance, and policy clarity is critical to scaling adoption.
  • The need for ongoing research into species performance under local conditions.
  • The importance of clear policy guidance to support adoption.
  • Value of community engagement in shaping practical, region-specific solutions.

This project laid the groundwork for future silvopasture initiatives in the Northern Gulf. By continuing to invest in collaborative, locally informed approaches, we can help producers adapt to changing conditions and build long-term resilience.

Read the full reports or download them below.

For more information, please contact

Gulf Savannah Silvopasture Report

Lead Organisation: James Cook University

Project Title: Evaluating the drivers of persistent bare soil in the Southern Gulf to inform rehabilitation and build drought resilience

Location: North Queensland

Funding Amount: $99,967 gst excl

Summary: This project will investigate the drivers of persistent bare soil development in parts of the Southern Gulf region of north-west Queensland in order to inform bare soil rehabilitation efforts and build drought resilience.

The project will combine satellite imagery analysis of land cover change, with long-term rainfall analysis, and on-ground field data collection, including drone mapping, soil sampling and land condition assessment at selected sites.

Importantly, the project will leverage and add value to an existing project focused on the demonstration of bare soil rehabilitation techniques for building drought resilience. 

Background

In early 2019, the Flinders River catchment in north-west Queensland experienced a catastrophic flood event. Over 13 million hectares were inundated, resulting in widespread devastation across the grazing industry.

Rangeland condition was also severely impacted by the flood. In some areas, severe erosion stripped away soil, nutrients, and seed bank, while in other areas, silt deposition smothered pasture plants. Prolonged floodwater inundation in low-lying areas also contributed to pasture death.

The impacts of the flood were exacerbated by a prolonged drought which impacted the region in the six years prior to the flood, and in the three years following the flood.

Soon after the floodwaters receded, the Queensland Department of Primary Industries conducted rapid on-ground land condition assessments at 130 sites across the region. These surveys provided a critical baseline for understanding the immediate impacts of the flood on pasture and soil health. A follow up assessment was conducted in 2020.

In 2024, James Cook University (JCU) and Southern Gulf NRM delivered a collaborative project supported by the TNQ Drought Hub through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, to examine recovery in land condition on Mitchell Grass Downs rangelands five years after the flood.

Why This Matters

The Mitchell Grass Downs are among the most resilient grazing lands in northern Australia. However, their ability to recover from extreme weather events depends heavily on land condition prior to the event and the management practices that follow. Understanding how these landscapes respond to flood and drought is critical for building long-term resilience in grazing systems.

This project fills a vital knowledge gap by linking grazing land management, climate extremes, and land condition recovery. It provides practical insights for producers, extension officers, and policymakers to better prepare for and respond to future climate events, supporting sustainability, productivity and drought preparedness across the region.

What We Did

The project involved:

  • On-ground land condition assessments at 72 sites, 62 of which were original sites. Building on the 130 sites in 2019 and repeated at 63 sites in 2020.
  • Satellite imagery analysis to track changes in ground cover and rainfall patterns.
  • Field surveys led by experienced JCU staff, Southern Gulf NRM staff, rangeland scientists Trevor Hall and Jenny Milson and supported by students.
  • Community engagement through field days, workshops, newsletters, and social media outreach.
  • Knowledge sharing via a comprehensive final report, fact sheet, and two accepted papers for the 2025 International Rangelands Conference.

The project also supported a PhD student and strengthened partnerships between JCU, Southern Gulf NRM, and other stakeholders.

What Changed

The 2024 assessments revealed encouraging signs of recovery:

  • Land condition improved at 48% of sites, remained stable at 47%, and declined at only 5%.
  • Soil condition improved at 77% of sites.
  • Some sites that were in poor condition (C or D) in 2019 showed significant improvement, with some recovering to B or even A condition.
  • Strategic grazing management and two years of above-average rainfall were likely drivers of recovery.

However, some sites remained degraded, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and adaptive management.

Opportunities for Improvement

Future opportunities include:

  • Continued monitoring of existing and new sites to track long-term recovery.
  • Research into soil and hydrological factors influencing flood impact and recovery.
  • Integration of drone and satellite data with on-ground assessments.
  • Development of flood modelling tools for low-gradient river systems.
  • Expanded collaboration across NRM groups, government, and producers.

Key Learnings

Key lessons from the project include:

  • Land in good condition is more resilient to both drought and flood and recovers more quickly.
  • Strategic grazing land management including soil health, wet-season spelling, conservative stocking, and pasture monitoring is essential for recovery.
  • Flood impacts vary based on landscape position, soil type, and prior grazing pressure.
  • Community engagement and knowledge transfer are vital for building capacity and resilience.

Read the full reports/resources or download them below.

For more information, please contact

Lead Organisation: Southern Gulf NRM

Project Title: Satellite based water analysis and drought planning in northwest Qld

Location: North West Queensland

Funding Amount: $79,000 gst excl

Summary: The project aims to accurately map water bodies, analyse water holding capacity and dynamics of surface water to improve productivity, water access reliability and contribute to improved calf survival.

Background

In the vast rangelands of Northern Queensland, reliable access to water is critical for livestock, wildlife, land condition, and community resilience. Small water bodies like farm dams, creeks, and natural waterholes are often overlooked in traditional monitoring systems due to their size and seasonal variability. This can leave producers vulnerable to dry spells and uncertain water supplies.

To address this gap, Southern Gulf NRM partnered with James Cook University to trial satellite-based technologies for mapping and monitoring small water bodies across the Flinders and Gilbert catchments. While, traditional monitoring methods often fall short, satellite platforms like Landsat, Sentinel, or Planet provide valuable data, to capture smaller or temporary water bodies. This can help producers to track when and where water would be available and plan stock movements or infrastructure investments accordingly.

Supported by the Future Drought Fund through the TNQ Drought Hub, the project set out to develop practical tools by combining satellite and drone imagery with producers’ knowledge. The goal was to help producers and NRM groups make better decisions about water availability and access, grazing pressure and drought preparedness, especially during dry seasons when water scarcity can lead to calf loss due to long travel to water bodies.

Why This Matters

Water is the lifeblood of grazing systems in Northern Australia. During dry spells, the availability and location of water directly affect livestock welfare, pasture condition, productivity and biodiversity. Small water bodies, though modest in size, play a disproportionately large role in supporting these systems.

With climate variability bringing longer dry spells and sudden floods, being able to monitor and anticipate changes in water extent and availability is becoming essential. Having near real-time information from number of water bodies and their size, helps producers plan stocking rates, design reticulated water systems and protect both animal health and the environment. At a regional scale, better data also strengthens drought preparedness and supports long-term resilience planning for communities and industries.

What We Did

The project focused on selected small water bodies across the Flinders and Gilbert catchments, as well as sites around Charters Towers for the duration of 18 months to monitor dynamics of water extent. Activities included:

  • Monitoring water extent using Landsat, Sentinel, and PlanetScope satellite imagery. The team developed algorithms to map water bodies with higher frequency and resolution than previously possible.
  • Validating satellite results with ultra-high-resolution drone imagery and field surveys to ensure accuracy and practical relevance.
  • Developing a user-friendly mapping app in Google Earth Engine, allowing extension staff to visualise water availability in near real-time by selecting an area, choosing a date, and instantly viewing seasonal changes.
  • Producing a knowledge base and planning dataset by mapping water distribution across key grazing regions, identifying areas of risk and opportunity for informing grazing strategies stock and supporting future projects.
  • Engaging producers through workshops and one-on-one meetings, gathering feedback and demonstrating the tool’s value for property planning. Producers played a vital role by opening their properties for surveys, providing local knowledge, and testing the tools.

What Changed

The project proved that small water bodies can be reliably tracked almost weekly, giving producers unprecedented insight into water dynamics. Key outcomes included:

  • Accessible technology through a working prototype of a mapping app that makes satellite data usable for non-technical users, bridging the gap between research and on-ground decision-making.
  • Improved understanding of seasonal water availability, supporting property planning and grazing management. Feedback from producers was positive, with many expressing interest in using the app to guide water strategies.
  • Strengthened collaboration between researchers, NRM groups and producers, building local capacity in drought planning.

Importantly, the approach is scalable. With modest cost and training, it can be applied across other parts of northern Australia, creating consistent monitoring tools for graziers and planners, supporting broader drought resilience efforts.

Opportunities for Improvement

While the project was a success, it faced several challenges:

  • Extended wet seasons and flooding limited access to sites.
  • Cloud cover and vegetation made it difficult to detect water accurately using optical satellites.
  • Vegetated water bodies were harder to map, highlighting the need for radar-based approaches.

Key Learnings

Key learnings included:

  • Multi-sensor approaches are essential, combining optical and radar imagery improves reliability, especially in cloud-prone regions.
  • Flexibility in timelines is critical when working in remote or weather-affected areas.
  • Higher-resolution imagery (like PlanetScope or drones) significantly improves accuracy for detecting smaller water bodies.
  • Local engagement drives adoption. Ground-truthing with producers ensured tools were practical and trusted.
  • Strong opportunities to expand the app’s functionality, integrate predictive modelling, and emerging technologies such as radar and altimetry satellites for estimating water depth and volume.

By combining cutting-edge science with local knowledge, the project has created tools that support drought preparedness, reduce livestock losses and build long-term resilience in Northern Australia. With further development and wider adoption, these tools could play a major role in helping producers thrive in a future of climate uncertainty.

Read the full reports/resources or download them below.

For more information about the mapping app or project, please contact

Lead Organisation: Terrain Natural Resource Management

Project Title: Building drought resilience and feed capacity of pastures in North Queensland

Location: Far North Queensland

Funding Amount: $50,669 gst excl

Summary:  This project is a collaboration between Terrain Natural Resource Management (Terrain NRM), Soilkee and a local Atherton Tablelands dairy farmer. It aims at demonstrating the use of an innovative technology, the Soilkee Renovator, to pasture growing farmers in the Wet Tropics through a field demonstration day and video.

The Soilkee Renovator is new technology for soil-based agriculture that builds topsoil, activates regenerative soil functions and fertility, increases drought resilience by increasing water holding capacity and builds stable soil carbon in pasture, while eliminating paddock down time traditionally associated with pasture renovation.

Background

In Far North Queensland, farmers are facing increasing pressure from climate variability, declining soil health, and the need to build long-term resilience. However, a new approach to pasture renovation is taking root.

Terrain NRM, in partnership with local dairy farmer Glen Drury and the Australian Holistic Management Co-op, trialled the SoilKee Renovator, an innovative minimum-till pasture cropping machine designed to improve soil health, boost biodiversity, and increase pasture productivity. This was the first time the technology had been used in Queensland.

Supported by the Future Drought Fund through the TNQ Drought Hub, the project brought together local landholders, agricultural experts, and community members through demonstration days, video storytelling, and long-term ecological monitoring.

The goal was to show how tools like the SoilKee Renovator can support mixed-species pastures, regenerative practices, healthier soils, and more resilient farming systems.

Why This Matters

Soil health is the foundation of productive, resilient farming systems. In the Wet Tropics, where high rainfall and erosion challenge pasture management, and where drought and extreme weather events are becoming more frequent, improving soil structure and biodiversity is critical.

The SoilKee Renovator offers a way to plant diverse pasture species into existing grasslands with minimal soil disturbance. This helps build organic matter, reduce compaction, and activate soil biology.

By improving pasture diversity and soil function, this approach supports climate resilience, better water retention and reduced reliance on chemical inputs. For communities, it means stronger food systems, better land stewardship, and greater capacity to adapt to climate change.

What We Did

The project rolled out in several key stages:

  • Two field demonstration days were held at Glen Drury’s Malanda dairy farm. The first showcased the SoilKee Renovator in action, planting a diverse seed mix into existing pasture. The second, held eight weeks later, allowed participants to observe the growth and health of the new pasture. Attendees included farmers, stakeholders, and community members, with presentations from inventor Niels Olsen and local landholders sharing firsthand experiences.
  • A diverse seed mix was used, including species like oats, ryegrass, clovers, radish, turnip, and legumes. These were chosen to improve soil fertility, provide high-quality forage, and support soil microbial life.
  • Baseline monitoring of ecological, physical, biological, and chemical indicators was conducted across long-term and short-term sites in partnership with the Australian Holistic Management Co-op. Soil tests included nutrient analysis and biological health indicators, laying the groundwork for ongoing monitoring.
  • A video was produced and shared via Terrain NRM’s YouTube channel, capturing the project journey, including planting, pasture growth, the demonstration days, and interviews with Glen and SoilKee inventor Niels Olsen.

Despite delays caused by an extended wet season, the team adapted by rescheduling events and adjusting the planting timeline to suit soil conditions.

What Changed

The project sparked strong interest from local producers, with two well-attended field days and several tangible benefits:

  • Improved soil and pasture health through mixed-species planting, aeration, and minimum tillage – activating soil biology and supporting fungi, bacteria, and earthworms essential for nutrient cycling and plant health.
  • Enhanced pasture diversity and resilience, especially during cooler months when tropical grasses slow down.
  • Reduced erosion risk by disturbing only 18% of the soil surface.
  • Peer-to-peer learning was fostered through the field days, creating interest in regenerative practices. Participants gained practical knowledge and saw the technology in action, building confidence to trial it on their own properties.
  • The video and media outreach extended the project’s impact beyond the demonstration sites, making the learnings accessible to producers across the region.
  • The establishment of baseline data and ongoing assessments ensures the project’s legacy, with insights feeding into future initiatives and informing best practice.

Glen Drury reported early signs of improved pasture growth and soil condition, noting that the machine allowed him to plant larger seeds not compatible with older equipment. The mixed-species pasture showed strong establishment and provided high-quality feed for livestock.

Opportunities for Improvement

While the project was a success, there were several challenges:

  • The extended wet season delayed planting and forced changes to the field day schedule.
  • Saturated soils made it difficult to use machinery and the risk of compaction required careful planning.

Key Learnings

  • Flexibility is essential. Aligning planting and demonstration activities with seasonal conditions, adapting to weather conditions and rescheduling events ensured the project could still deliver meaningful outcomes.
  • Long-term monitoring is vital to track the full benefits of regenerative practices.
  • Hearing directly from the inventor and a local farmer helped build trust and interest.

Looking ahead, continued monitoring of pasture and soil health at the demonstration site, exploring further research into mixed-species pastures, integrating the SoilKee Renovator into broader regenerative agriculture programs and hosting additional field days and collaborations will help Tropical North Queensland thrive in a changing climate.

Read/views the resources or download them below.

For more information, please contact

Lead Organisation: Gulf Savannah NRM

Project Title: Exploring perceptions and best practice adoption of silvopastoral systems as a strategy for drought resilience in the Northern Gulf

Location: Far North Queensland

Funding Amount: $100,000 gst excl

Summary: This project in collaboration with Gulf Savannah NRM and North Queensland Forestry Hub will explore perceptions and best practice adoption of silvopastoral systems as a strategy for drought resilience in the Northern Gulf.  Silvopasture is an agricultural system combining forestry with livestock grazing.  The project aims to:

  • Gain a greater understanding of the perceptions of silvopastoral systems among graziers and the wider community in Far North Queensland’s Gulf region
  • Assess the most suitable tree species for silvopastoral systems in the gulf
  • Identify any co-benefits associated with the most suitable tree species, for example drought fodder, shade for stock, or habitat improvement for biodiversity outcomes
  • Investigate establishment methods to increase survival rates for plantings

Lead Organisation: Southern Gulf NRM

Project Title: Satellite based water analysis and drought planning in northwest Qld

Location: North West Queensland

Funding Amount: $79,000 gst excl

Summary: The project aims to accurately map water bodies, analyse water holding capacity and identify the risky dams, small dams that landholders may plan the decommission and replace with more reliable reticulated (piped and trough) water to improve productivity, reliability and contribute to improved calf survival.

Lead Organisation: Terrain Natural Resource Management

Project Title: Building drought resilience and feed capacity of pastures in North Queensland

Location: Far North Queensland

Funding Amount: $50,669 gst excl

Summary:  This project is a collaboration between Terrain Natural Resource Management (Terrain NRM), Soilkee and a local Atherton Tablelands dairy farmer. It aims at demonstrating the use of an innovative technology, the Soilkee Renovator, to pasture growing farmers in the Wet Tropics through a field demonstration day and video.

The Soilkee Renovator is new technology for soil-based agriculture that builds topsoil, activates regenerative soil functions and fertility, increases drought resilience by increasing water holding capacity and builds stable soil carbon in pasture, while eliminating paddock down time traditionally associated with pasture renovation.

Lead Organisation: James Cook University

Project Title: Evaluating the drivers of persistent bare soil in the Southern Gulf to inform rehabilitation and build drought resilience

Location: North Queensland

Funding Amount: $99,967 gst excl

Summary: This project will investigate the drivers of persistent bare soil development in parts of the Southern Gulf region of north-west Queensland in order to inform bare soil rehabilitation efforts and build drought resilience.

The project will combine satellite imagery analysis of land cover change, with long-term rainfall analysis, and on-ground field data collection, including drone mapping, soil sampling and land condition assessment at selected sites.

Importantly, the project will leverage and add value to an existing project focused on the demonstration of bare soil rehabilitation techniques for building drought resilience. 

This grant round is now closed thank you for your interest.

The Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (the TNQ Drought Hub) leads a regional, collaborative approach with northern Queensland stakeholders to support the agricultural sector and communities to become more drought and climate resilient. We are looking for great ideas from community groups, not-for-profits, primary producers, agribusinesses, and others which can contribute to building drought resilience across our region. 

We will fund up to $100,000 for each project that can demonstrate tangible benefits to one or more of the TNQ Drought Hub Priority Issues within the themes of: 

  • Drought and climate change adaptation
  • Land and soil management
  • Innovation and technology
  • Enhancing skills and human capacity
  • Enhancing Sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Resilience.

Grant applications will need to demonstrate tangible benefits to one or more of the TNQ Drought Hub Priority Issues, which can be viewed here.

To be kept informed of any changes, or updates please register your interest here (this does not commit you to submitting a grant application).

 

Applicants are encouraged to contact their local Drought Resilience Coordinator (DRC) to support the development of their application, click here for contact details.

This funding aims to improve drought resilience for farms and agribusinesses, and towns and communities where agriculture is a strong contributor to the economy and society. The TNQ Drought Hub is already working with many groups and organisations, but we know there are many more with great ideas. We want to ensure that everyone involved in agriculture across the TNQ region has the opportunity to showcase their ideas and approaches ready for the next drought. 

The grants scheme will fund projects that contribute to improved drought resilience and/or preparedness on-the-ground through any of the following means: 

  • Demonstrating or implementing new technologies and/or innovations 
  • Accelerating the adoption of proven technologies and/or management techniques 
  • Scaling-up of proven technologies and/or management techniques 
  • Expanding networks of learning, innovation, and knowledge sharing  
  • Enhancing the implementation capacity of people on farms in towns and communities  
  • Applied research that provides evidence for on-farm or in-community drought resilience approaches  
  • Any other approach that the applicant can demonstrate will contribute to on-farm or  
    in-community drought resilience. 

A set of grant guidelines, which contain information about the grants including eligibility requirements, how to apply and your obligations as an applicant can be downloaded here. Please read these guidelines before applying.

Applicants must be capable of entering into a legally binding agreement with James Cook University.

Projects must be completed and reported on by the end of June 2024.

  • Agency: Tropical North Queensland Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (TNQ Drought Hub)
  • Opening date: Tuesday 13th June 2023
  • Closing date & time:  Sunday 2nd July 2023, 11:59pm
  • Contract duration: Projects must be completed and reported on by the end of June 2024.

For questions or issues with the application portal contact Rachel Hay, Knowledge Broker 0402 289 724 between 9:00am and 5:00pm Monday to Friday.

TNQ Drought Hub Priority Issues

Grant applications will need to demonstrate tangible benefits to one or more of the TNQ Drought Hub Priority Issues. Please download the extended Priority Issues document to read and select appropriate regional priority/s to included in the grant application.

Grant Guidelines

Please download the grant Guidelines, which contain information about the grants including eligibility requirements, how to apply and your obligations as an applicant. Please read these guidelines before applying.

Grant Application

Submit your grant application

Closed, 11:59pm July 2nd 2023.

Questions?

Please submit your question here prior to 5pm on Wednesday 28th June 2023.  Questions received after this time will not be responded to.  Submit each question and then click the link again to ask another question. Responses will be updated Monday – Friday by 10:00am.

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This program received funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.
We acknowledge the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of this country and pay our respects to the Traditional Owners and Elders, past and present, of the land on which we stand today, the Djabugay (pronounced Jap-ur-kai), Yirrganydji (pronounced Irri-kan-dji) and the Gimuy Yidinji (pronounced Goom-eye Yidinji) people (and all other country/people joining us today). In the spirit of reconciliation, we also acknowledge the valuable contribution that Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples continue to make to James Cook University and the broader community.

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