Freshwater Farm Plans
Planning ahead for environmental management
Freshwater Farm Plans (FWFPs) are expected to become an important tool for helping farmers manage the environmental effects of their land use, while continuing to operate productive businesses.
A Freshwater Farm Plan is essentially a planning technique that helps identify how natural resources such as water, soil, nutrients, vegetation and indigenous biodiversity are managed on your property, and whether improvements are required.
By taking stock of the current state and identifying areas for improvement where needed, FWFPs provide a clear pathway for managing risks, while recognising the good work already happening on farms.
Who This Helps
Freshwater Farm Plans are ultimately about understanding how land use interacts with the environment and ensuring those interactions remain within acceptable limits.
Terra Centric works with farmers and the primary sector to assess environmental factors across their property, identify potential risks and develop practical actions that support long-term outcomes.
For many farms, existing plans or certifications may already cover much of what a Freshwater Farm Plan requires. Terra Centric can help assess whether your current planning already meets FWFP requirements.
Under current proposals, you are required to have a Freshwater Farm Plan if your operation includes:
- 50 hectares or more of pastoral, arable or mixed land use
- 50 hectares or more of viticulture or orcharding
- 5 hectares or more of commercial vegetable growing or horticulture
- A commercial dairy farm
While the final rollout of FWFPs is still evolving, it is expected that plans will become a key part of demonstrating how farms manage freshwater and environmental risks.
What's Involved
Developing a Freshwater Farm Plan is largely about taking stock of how your farm currently operates. Once completed, the plan is audited by an independent auditor every three years. Importantly, local councils do not receive the full plan itself - only confirmation that a compliant plan is in place.
Reviewing how natural resources such as water and soil are used and managed.
Assessing land management practices such a nutrient use, irrigation and cultivation.
Identifying environmental values including streams, wetlands and biodiversity.
Establishing actions and timeframes for improvement.
How We Help
The Terra Centric team is passionate about showcasing farmers’ care for land and the environment. We offer a range of support and advisory services to assist with the development of your FWFP, including:
- Nutrient management
- Irrigation
- Cultivation and soil structure
- Animal effluent and solid waste
- Surface water and natural waterbodies
- Critical source areas
- General water use
- Native freshwater and terrestrial biodiversity
We also offer innovative solutions for ongoing management and monitoring.
How It Works
Terra Centric Understands Farming
With a background in farming and the primary sector, we understand how your farm operates. We begin by listening and assessing what’s practical, productive and possible for you and your business.
Translate Requirements
We interpret biodiversity ideas, requirements and regulations in clear, practical terms - separating fact from fiction and what’s essential from what’s unnecessary.
Build A Workable Plan
Every farm is different. Together, we develop a strategy - adapting as needed - that integrates into your farm system, delivering meaningful environmental outcomes and supporting your long-term goals.
Work with Terra Centric