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Land resources snapshot at finger tips

Media release : 5th February 2009

A new snapshot of the soil qualities in Western Australia's agricultural areas is expected to become an essential tool for local government, planning agencies and researchers.

The free publication from the Department of Agriculture and Food, available on the web, summarises land resources information for local government authorities in the South West Agricultural Region.

Research officer Dennis van Gool said of the 18 million hectares of land potentially available for agriculture, suitability was frequently reduced by salinity, acidification and other shortcomings.

“When combined with other important strategic information such as water availability, climate, infrastructure and growth trends for population and industry, this report can help guide land management and future developments,” he suggested.

Mr van Gool said competition for high capability land was becoming more intense between commercial agriculture and residential uses such as hobby farms, especially close to large population centres.

“Everyone wants the most fertile land with good access to water, even if it just to run a few horses and enjoy a good-sized vegetable patch,” Mr van Gool said.

“But if a high proportion of this land is removed from agriculture, this could drive industries such as horticulture further out, pushing up prices to consumers and affecting quality and efficiency.”

The new summary of agricultural land resources is based on data collated from regional surveys over more than 20 years. It updates a 1999 publication covering part of the South West only. Land resources in the South West Agricultural Region can be accessed at http://www.agric.wa.gov.au/aboutus/Pubns/rmtechreport_index.htm or with other mapping information via http://spatial.agric.wa.gov.au/slip/ and Go to Maps.

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