Pumped hydro energy storage is gaining momentum as a critical component of Australia’s renewable energy transition. While environmentally beneficial in operation, their development requires significant infrastructure—such as roads, pipelines, and reservoirs—that can impact soil health, increase erosion risk, and reduce land suitability for agriculture. This case study demonstrates how Verterra approaches risk assessment for these projects.

The project focussed specifically on improving water quality from cane and banana farms in the Tully and Johnstone River Catchments.

Verterra’s largest project to date, providing a novel solution to water quality improvement that combines grazing improvement with ecosystem service market opportunities such as carbon farming and reef credits administered through 3rd parties.

Objectives of this project include delivery of a South Yaamba Reef Water Quality Precinct Plan to provide support to the South Yaamba area and to selected landholders in the broader Fitzroy Food Bowl who are progressing irrigation developments on their land to achieve reef water quality outcomes (reduce sediment, pesticide, and nutrient export).

Innovative Design and operational delivery over two phases of alluvial gully rehabilitation at th Mt Wickham property, 38km WNW of Collinsville aimed at erosion control, and water quality improvements from significant reduction of fine sediment loss to regional waterways that directly impact the Great Barrier Reef Lagoon with ecosystem stresses, including to inshore reef and seagrass beds.

This project actively engaged graziers and landowners in the Bowen, Bogie, and Broken River Catchments to contribute to design land condition, pasture cover and productivity solutions to stem erosion and subsequent sediment run-off into local waterways.

Verterra engaged with 60 horticultural growers (macadamia, avocado, sweet potato) in the Burnett-Mary Horticultural region, providing growers with detailed farm mapping (EM), soil analysis and agronomic advice designed to promote best outcomes in nutrient management and soil health for increased farm productivity.