Why this cattle farmer is flooding his property with salt water
Cattle farmer Christopher Rek is allowing salt water to reclaim parts of his land in north Mackay, Queensland, to restore coastal wetlands degraded by decades of tidal barriers. Conservation efforts involve removing floodgates and bunds that disrupted ecosystems, enabling the return of native species like juvenile barramundi. Similar restoration projects are underway in Cape Palmerston National Park, supported by traditional owners and environmental groups for ecological and cultural benefits.
- ▪Christopher Rek is letting the ocean reclaim parts of his cattle farm to restore coastal wetlands in north Mackay.
- ▪Tidal gates and bunds, installed in the 1960s and 1970s, disrupted natural water flows and harmed biodiversity in Queensland's coastal regions.
- ▪Restoration efforts have led to the return of juvenile barramundi and other native species within months of removing barriers.
- ▪The Yuwi people view the wetland restoration in Cape Palmerston National Park as culturally significant.
- ▪Greening Australia highlights that restored wetlands contribute to carbon sequestration and broader environmental benefits.
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How salt water is restoring life to parts of the Queensland coastBy Yasmin Wright Gittins and Bryn Wakefieldfeel goodABC Tropical NorthTopic:Wetlands50m ago50 minutes agoFri 1 May 2026 at 10:36pmabc.net.au/news/removing-tidal-barriers-on-farmland-to-create-wetlands/106496784Link copiedShareShare articleThe tide is turning in parts of coastal Queensland.Conservation groups, traditional owners and landholders are removing tidal gates and barriers that have blocked the flow of salt water into coastal wetlands for the past 50 years.Already, signs of life are returning.Loading...'Let nature do its thing'In north Mackay, Christopher Rek has spent decades raising cattle on his family's land.Now he is letting the ocean reclaim parts of it.Christopher Rek is happy to let nature reclaim some of his…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Top Stories.