Ethan Upkett-Nelliman says working on Country to make a difference, by literal tonnes, to the landscape and Great Barrier Reef "has given me a feeling of connection".

Earlier this month, the second Healing Country project, delivered through non-government, non-for-profit natural resource management body NQ Dry Tropics, wrapped after the build of 433 erosion control structures for an estimated 126 tonnes of fine sediment runoff across the Burdekin catchment areas in Queensland's north-east.

In November 2023 the Queensland government announced $22.0 million for Reef Assist 2.0, which was estimated to create 135 additional jobs across the entire Great Barrier Reef catchment.

A number of Aboriginal Corporations and Indigenous-focused plans in the region were flagged.

The Reef Assist project employed 13 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across 13 grazing properties, with funding via the state Government's Reef Assist program, and in-partnership with Three Big Rivers, Gudjuda Reference Group Aboriginal Corporation and Biodiversity Australia.

NQ Tropics said the 'cost-effective interventions' harnessing surrounding natural materials, also resulted in hundreds of hectares in successful land management.

The group operates 146,000 square kilometres across the north of the state.

"Working on Country has given me a feeling of connection, " Mr Upkett-Nelliman said.

"It makes me feel like I'm doing something right for my culture, and I'm very happy about that."

His project colleague, Cade Wells, adds "I never thought I'd work in something so significant".

Mr Wells was engaged as a Three Big Rivers team member, a Townsville-based Indigenous employment empowering group.

"...it has helped me understand the bigger picture of how the work we are doing inland can make a positive difference to coastal areas and the ocean," Mr Wells said.

Invasive weed management over 107.5 hectares and vegetation restoration across 90 hectares was also undertaken.

NQ Dry Tropics said training, including in fire and cultural heritage, machinery operation, weed control and in chemicals was also provided.

Body Living Landscapes program manager JJ Walker said numbers of Healing Country participants have gone on to full time work with other groups, with project 2.0 also proving a success.

She said their committed to "empowering Traditional Owners to work on, and reconnect with, Country".

"The latest cohort have done a fantastic job on the ground, gaining skills and experience to set them up for a career in natural resource management.

"Good partnerships are key to successful project delivery, and it has been great to see how the teams developed strong relationships with graziers, who were grateful for support managing areas of marginal land.

"The strength of NQ Dry Tropics' relationships with project delivery partners was also key to delivering great outcomes."