Freshcare First-Hand

Bartle Frere Bananas – Boogan, QLD

Bartle Frere Bananas is a family-run banana farm based in Boogan (near Innisfail), North Queensland.

As part of their ongoing commitment to maintaining the Freshcare Environmental (ENV3) – Reef Assured program on their farm, owners Gavin and Bernie Devaney implement smart, sustainable and environmentally conscience practices daily.

Keep scrolling to learn more about Bartle Frere Bananas, and their commitment to being at the forefront of innovative, environmentally focused on-farm practice.

Freshcare Environmental – Reef Assured Bananas

We farm right beside the Great Barrier Reef, which at time can be hard – but with Sustainable Agriculture [practices] we’re able to do it successfully. The decision to go Freshcare Environmental was an easy one, given the fact Bartle Frere had already been utilising the best management practice industry standards.

Gavin Devaney, Owner

Bartle Frere farm lies with the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) catchment area, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site, which means growers must comply with nutrient management, fertiliser application and record-keeping regulations designed to protect the natural environment.

Freshcare, together with the Australian Banana Growers’ Council have worked with the Queensland Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation (DETSI) and the Office of the Great Barrier Reef and World Heritage, to ensure banana growers certified to Freshcare ENV3 – Reef Assured are recognised as meeting regulatory requirements.

On-Farm Practices

Sustainable practices have really evolved across our property here in such a way – with biosecurity, sustainable agriculture, environmental constraints – we’ve been able to piece it together with a number of practices that benefit each other.

Gavin Devaney, Owner

Like all growers in the region, the Devaney’s farm practices have ripple effects beyond the farm gate.

By implementing strict environmental management, precise nutrient control and runoff monitoring, Bartle Frere helps reduce the risk of sediment, nutrient, and chemical runoff reaching sensitive river systems and ultimately the Reef — contributing to broader environmental protection.

Some examples of Bartle Frere practices include:
– Biosecurity Fencing: Managing access to property and protecting from feral animals.
– Manage Nitrogen run-off: Industrial irrigation systems and changing fertilisers.
– Minimise Chemical Spray: Direct and targeted drone crop spraying.
– Minimise Waste: Plastic bag and string reuse and recycling in place.

Better Outcomes for Business

Implementing changes with the environmental practices has helped as a management tool in how you direct the workers, in how you farm and how you look after the paddocks. We’ve probably recognised that if you can keep the paddocks in better shape for longer, it’s far less impact on the environment. If you have better practices, I think you end up with a more profitable outcome.

Bernie Devaney, Owner

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