Australia’s first international Bioreactor Forum was held in the Wet Tropics last month.

Interest in these innovative water treatment systems has spiked over the last two years, with the Wet Tropics Major Integrated Project (MIP) installing seven across the Tully and Johnstone basins.

The two-day event brought together researchers, technical specialists, extension officers, growers and funding bodies from Australia and abroad.

Day one included a visit to bioreactor trial sites on farms, where attendees interacted with landholders and delivery teams involved in the research, design and installation of the treatment systems.

Day two involved focused discussion on the role of denitrifying bioreactors in sustainable food production and potential strategies to enhance their performance.

The MIP’s place-based approach has modified traditional “textbook” wall and bed bioreactor designs and is trialling three other designs (in-drain, ag pipe and partial in-drain bioreactors), which were developed to suit the unique nature of Wet Tropics landscapes.

MIP Catchment Repair Coordinator Suzette Argent presented at the forum on designing bioreactors to fit within the Wet Tropics landscape.

“The input we receive from landholders has been a crucial part of the process,” she said.

They’ve not only provided us with sites to implement trials, but invaluable knowledge on the lay of their land.”

“Farming is full of science and it’s rewarding to work alongside our farming community to trial water treatment systems that can improve sustainability, profitability and the quality of water flowing to the Reef.”

Ms Argent hosted forum delegates at a MIP bioreactor site on a Mourilyan cane farm.

“The field trip was a highlight for attendees because they could see firsthand how bioreactors can be implemented to complement farming operations and improve water quality entering adjoining waterways,” Ms Argent said.

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Research Agronomist Rhianna Robinson coordinated the event and said they were pleased with the interest generated and contributions of everyone who attended.

“It was a networking and learning opportunity with local, interstate and international speakers sharing their experiences in installing bioreactors on farms,” she said.