Slowing the movement of water at Wansey Downs

Fred and Emma Bryant are the current custodians of Wansey Downs, a 17,800 hectare cattle property west of Augathella, Queensland. Having inherited the land from his father, Fred carries forward a deep family connection to the country, one shaped by its rugged landscapes, rocky hard mulga jump‑ups, and productive grassy flats. The Ward River cuts through the property, feeding a network of creeks that support both livestock and native ecosystems. 



From the moment they took over the property, Fred and Emma committed themselves to enhancing the health and long‑term resilience of the landscape. The latest focus of their efforts has been the installation of earth spreader banks in key areas across Wansey Downs with the help of Rehydration Practitioner, Glenn Landsberg. With the surrounding higher country and series of creek systems and floodplains, Wansey Downs has a lot of water to manage, some of which had begun channelling down the path of least resistance, eroding soil and depleting the vegetation. 

When asked about the project, Glen said,

"I see an incredible amount of soil being lost all across Queensland, with so much rainfall washing away and doing more harm than good. For Wansey, this was just a way to slow that water down and reform the natural shape and function of the landscape, so we could take the water that was doing the damage and put it back to work."

These spreader bank structures slow and disperse water flow during rainfall events, increasing infiltration, reducing erosion, and helping rehydrate the surrounding country. 

Through our Natural Resource Recovery Program (NRRP), Southern Queensland Landscapes (SQL) provided partial funding and support for this work, enabling Fred to implement these upgrades sooner and more effectively than would have been possible alone. Encouraged by the results, he plans to expand the spreader-bank network into other areas of opportunity on Wansey. 

“Fred and Emma are really attuned to their landscape, and they can see where it’s struggling. It’s so wonderful to see them putting in so much effort to restore it through projects like this,”

says Glenn.

Building on this momentum, the Bryants are now preparing for their next major project in partnership with SQL, in which they will install approximately 13 kilometres of fencing as well as new waterpoints across the property. This infrastructure will significantly improve cattle grazing management by allowing more controlled stock movement, reducing pressure on sensitive areas, and promoting more even utilisation of pasture. Over time, these changes will help increase ground cover, improve soil condition, and enhance the overall productivity and ecological resilience of Wansey Downs.

Fred tells us,

 “Emma and I are always looking for ways to improve our management for our stock and land. [This spreader-bank project] seems like a great opportunity for us to get more positive growth, minimise erosion and improve our soils in the process.” 

Once again, Southern Queensland Landscapes' partial funding and technical support has helped Fred to accelerate vital land management improvements that will benefit both the property and the broader landscape. For Fred and his family, these investments represent more than just infrastructure, they are a commitment to honouring the legacy of the past while building a stronger, more sustainable future for Wansey Downs.

This project is funded by the Queensland Government's Natural Resources Recovery Program.