Sustainability Commons^™

Review Of Land Capability Assessment For The Swan Valley, Peter Tille, Angela Stuart-Street

Resource management technical reports

Land capability review for the Swan Valley.

The land capability review of the Swan Valley examined and updated previous soil and capability studies done in the area, which are still considered highly relevant for the planning requirements of the Swan Valley. As a result we have updated information on the potential for irrigated agriculture in the Swan Valley which will guide decision-making in the future.

This review uses a modified version of a new approach to presenting information for land use planning, developed by DAFWA in the Mid West region.

The main findings of the review include:

• The alluvial terraces …

The Balancing Act, David Weaver

Conference papers and presentations

Nutrient management is as much a global issue as a local one with a balance required between economics and environment, inherent biological limitations and expectations of nutrient use efficiency, and traditional fertiliser practices and actual enterprise nutrient requirements. The concept of nutrient balance depends on context and scale. Nutrient balance can be considered at a global scale, where issues of nutrient stocks, cycles, depletion and transfer of a particular element are important. For a single farm enterprise, nutrient balance might be considered in terms of phosphorus (P) inputs into and outputs from the enterprise. This is commonly known as a …

Wheatbelt Waterwise = Saltwise : Gardening Guide, John Colwill, Juana Roe

Bulletins 4000 -

As a result of agricultural clearing, many country towns are now feeling the effects of rising groundwater and the salt that it carries. Salinity has been identified as Australia’s number one environmental problem. While most people think that salinity means land lost to agriculture, it also poses a serious threat to many country towns. A report for the Department of Agriculture in 2001 highlighted the need for simple and cost-effective salinity management strategies to be adopted in wheatbelt towns. These included water recycling, revegetation and more efficient water use.

Guidelines For Management Of Farmland Adjacent To The Busselton Wetlands, William Oldfield, Department Of Conservation And Land Management, Department Of Planning And Infrastructure

Bulletins 4000 -

The Busselton Wetlands are a chain of wetlands that lie parallel with the coastline of Geographe Bay, Western Australia and in close proximity to the town of Busselton. The main issues for the maintenance of quality of the wetlands are nutrient levels and habitat value. This guide outlines many of the current best practices related to farming around wetlands.

Scott Coastal Plain A Strategy For A Sustainable Future, Department Of Agriculture And Food, Western Australia

Bulletins 4000 -

The Scott Coastal Plain has significant attributes that make it an area of State and regional significance for agricultural production. The climate, availability of good quality groundwater for irrigation, and large lot sizes provide opportunities for mechanised horticultural production which other parts of the State may not have.

An estimate of the area that could be used for each agricultural land use has been developed, at a broad study area level. The figures presented in this report show that diversified production combining tree plantation and/or irrigation (cropping or hay/silage) with grazing enterprises provides for potential increases in gross margins and …

Crop Updates 2000 - Cereals Part 1, Timothy G. Reeves, Sanjaya Rajaram, Maarten Van Ginkel, Richard Trethowan, Hans-Joachim Braun, Kelly Cassaday, R. A. Mcintosh, Rob Loughman, Ross Brennan, Mike Bolland, Zed Rengel, David Isbister, Paul Blackwell, Derk Bakker, Greg Hamilton, David Houlbrooke, Cliff Spann, Doug Rowe, Patrick Gethin, Stephen Loss, Frank Boetel, Tim O'Dea, Noeleen Edwards, Wayne Pluske, Ross Brennan, M. T. F. Wong, K. Wittwer, H. Zhang

Crop Updates

This session covers eleven papers from different authors:

PLENARY PAPERS

1. New Wheat for a Secure, Sustainable Future, Timothy G. Reeves, Sanjaya Rajaram, Maarten van Ginkel, Richard Trethowan, Hans-Joachim Braun, and Kelly Cassaday, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre (CIMMYT)

2. Managing Cereal Rusts - a National Perspective, R.A. McIntosh, University of Sydney Plant Breeding Institute, New South Wales

3. Managing Cereal Rusts in 2000 - a regional imperative, R. Loughman, Agriculture Western Australia

4. Is nutrition the answer to wheat after canola problems?Ross Brennan¹, Bill Bowden¹, Mike Bolland¹, Zed Rengel^{2 …}

The South Coast Estuarine Fishery. A Discussion Paper., Rod Pearn, Tony Cappelluti

Fisheries management papers

This discussion paper proposes a way for the South Coast Estuarine Fishery to address issues relating to the long-term sustainable management and sharing of the fish resource.

Management Plan For Sustainable Tourism At The Houtman Abrolhos Islands, Le Provost Dames & Moore

Fisheries management papers

The combination of unique species of fish, coral reefs and other invertebrates, historical shipwrecks and the commercially valuable Western rock lobster makes the Abrolhos a unique area of Western Australia. In recognition of this the Minister of Fisheries is releasing the plan 'Management of Houtman Abrolhos System', following a period of public consultation. The islands are becoming increasingly popular destination for tourists that are attracted to the diving, fishing, bird watching, maritime history and other features of the Abrolhos. The draft Management Plan for Sustainable Tourism in the Houtman Abolhos Islands has been developed to provide a framework within which …

Future Directions For Tourism At The Houtman Abrolhos Islands - Draft For Public Comment, Le Provost Dames & Moore

Fisheries management papers

This paper discusses the constraints on tourism in the Abrolhos and key management strategies of the draft tourism plan. Discusses facilities required and recommending a broadening of air services to allow their use for tourism, establishment of boat moorings for commercial tourist operators, public moorings may be installed and rented for use by private boats, upgrading of facilites Dransfield House on Beacon Island, could be used as an interpretive centre.

Management Of The Houtman Abrohlos System., Kim Nardi, Abrohlos Islands Management Advisory Committee

Fisheries management papers

The Abrolhos System is the Houtman Abrolhos Islands and adjoing State Territorial Waters. It is an important part of the Western Australian environment. Has major significance in conservation of flora and fauna and also in geological terms. The waters adjoining State Territorial Waters contain some of the most highly valued marine systems in the State. These include sites of historical shipwrecks in Australia. The are of great interest to visitors and support a relatively small but growing recreation and tourism industy. The area is integral to the Western rock lobster fishery, which is that State's premier primary industries. The Abrolhos …

Final Report: Future Management Of The Aquatic Charter Industry In Western Australia., Tour Operators Fishing Working Group

Fisheries management papers

The Tour Operator's Fishing Working Group (TOFWG) was established by the Hon Monty House MLA, Minister for Fisheries, in recognition of the growing importance of this element of the tourism industy and in recognition of the need to ensure that the development of this industry occurs in an ecologically sustainable framework across the Sate. The recommendations outlined in this report establish a management framework within which the aquatic charter industry may continue to develop, and which will ensure the long-term sustainability of the natural resources on which the industry is based.

Finfish Aquaculture In Western Australia, David Berry

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

David Berry surveys fish farming from Broome to Williams, on off shore reefs and in farm dams, for barramundi, silver perch and black bream, trout and tuna.

No-Tillage Sowing Decreases Water Erosion On Loamy Soils And Increases Earthworm Activity, Kevin Bligh

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

No-tillage sowing places seed and fertiliser in the soil without loosening all of the topsoil. Soil is cultivated only in the sown rows, leaving the inter-row areas largely undisturbed.

No-tillage sowing reduces both wind and water erosion. Soil structure is generally improved, and pasture regeneration is increased because seed is not buried too deeply for re-establishment.

Two long-term trials were establis_hed on loamy soils to determine effects of tillage and cropping on runoff and soil loss.

Results Of Stubble Research In Western Australia, Michael Perry, Ron Jarvis, Mel Mason, David Tennant

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Few farmers would question the desirability of retaining stubbles, both for control of erosion by wind and water, and to return organic matter to the soil. While the present debate is focused on the short term management of stubbles, longer term effects also need to be considered.

The Department of Agriculture has several long-running trials intended to measure long term effects.

Red Kangaroos Can Set Back Range Regeneration, Andrew Mclaughlin

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

After years of severe drought, stocking rates in Western Australia s arid rangelands have been kept low since the 1970s to allow native pastures to regenerate. As well, extensive re-seeding programs have started and sheep and cattle grazing on these areas has been restricted or eliminated. However, pasture regeneration in the rangelands can only succeed when grazing by all animals - sheep, cattle, kangaroos, goo.ts, camels, brumbies and donkeys - is controlled Many more red kangaroos roam throughout Western Australia's pastoral areas today than 20 years ago. The installation of windmills and troughs to water domestic livestock has allowed kangaroo …

How To Reduce Spending On Land Conservation, Tim Negus

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Heavy spending on capital works for land conseroation is usually out of the question in the present financial climate, but the recession does not mean that landcare must be abandoned. There are many aspects of landcare that involve little or no extra cost. Soil conseroationist Tim Negus discusses them in this article.

Coastal Plains : Land Use And The Environment, P R. George

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Five years ago, this Journal of Agriculture reported on ways to overcome severe algal pollution of the Peel-Harvey estuarine system, 70 km south of Perth.

Several articles in this Journal of Agriculture discuss improved agricultural practices on the Swan Coastal Plain in particular, although the principals will apply to similar eutrophication of the Slbany harbours, Wilson Inlet and the Vassee-Wonnerup Estuary. They also emphasixe the fine balance between man's demand for potable water and land for rural, industrial and urban use.

Gypsum Use In The Wheatbelt, M R. Howell

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

One of the limitations to crop productivity in the wheatbelt is the poor structure of heavy textured soils. Many years of clearing and cultivation have caused the loss of soil organic matter and breakdown of soil aggregates - particles of sand, silt and clay - in the surface layers. This has led to the development of unstable soils with poor physical properties.

Although loss of soil structure is a serious problem, it can be reversed by altering the tillage practices that caused the problem. This improvement in soil structure and return to productivity can be a slow process. However gypsum …

Increasing Groundwater Salinity In The Northern Wheatbelt, R J. Mcgowan

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Every farmer in western Australia's northern wheatbelt will know of a groundwater supply, be it bore, well or soak. that has become increasingly saline. The groundwater may have become more saline over a period of 15 years or more, or have been noticed only recently. Inevitably, the bore will lie within an area cleared for agriculture. This increase in groundwater salinity may be associated with soil salinisation. Although researchers have some understanding of the processes causing salinisation of groundwater in the wheatbelt and the extent of the problem, little is known about the rates of salinisation and groundwater rise. A …

Salinity Control In Northern China, G A. Robertson

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

China has vast areas of saline land, perhaps as much as six million hectares. Some of this saline land is a result of marine influence in coastal areas and some is the resultof soil formation in areas with saline geological deposits and inadequate rainfall to leach out the salts at that time.

However, most saline soils in China are as a result of secondary salinisation processess induced by a hydrological imbalance resulting from over-clearing of the land or irrigation. This imbalance has produced rising watertables bringing the salt closer to the soil surface.

In this article, G..A. Robertson, Commissioner …

Northern Wheatbelt Water Supply Study, I A F Laing, R. M. Pridham

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Department of Agriculture surveys have shown that many farms in Western australia's northern wheatbelt have inadequate water supplies. More than 80 per cent of all farms in that area depend soley on groundwater for watering livestock, a much higher percentage than for most other farming areas. Because groundwater salinities have increased in recent years, concern is held for the long-term future of this recource.

In contrast to more southern agricultural areas, farm dams in the northern wheatbelt are relatively uncommon. Only 30 per cent of the existing dams in the northern wheatbelt constitute effective water supplies. More than half of …

Sandplain Hardpan : A Different Dam Construction Material, A F. Mccrea

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Before 1980, the Department of Agriculture did not believe that suitable farm dam materials could be found in light land soils. However Beacon earthmoving contractor, V> J> Pavlinovich, has demonstrated that where suitable cemented subsoils or 'hardpan' existed, a succcessful dam site could be found.

This material should not be confused with compaction or traffic hardpans ehich are dense layers of soil found near the surface. Traffic hardpans result from compaction of soil materials with the passage of vehicles and farm machinery. Rather, the hardpan referred to here is a natural subsoil layer that has been cemented by silica and …

Drought Proofing The Farm : Case Studies, J L. Frith

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

For many years, Western Australia's north-eastern wheatbelthas suffered chronic shortages of water for stock and domestic use. The area's averageannual rainfall is generally low - less than 300 millimetres - and droughts in the 1970s caused futher problems. manydams in the area leak or have inadequate catchmentsand groundwater is scarce ormofmpoor quality.

In March 982, the Western Australian Government provided $100 000 for the Department of agriculture to demonstrate the potential of establishing permanent, drought-proof water supplies on farms in the north-eastern wheatbelt. The methods were to use exixting techniques to build dams and catchments. In a year of low …

How Saltland Can Be Reclaimed, A J. Peck

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Some possibilities for reclamation of saltland.

The Causes Of Saltland : A Case Study At Esperance, P R. George, S. C. Bull

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

A series of bores on the Esperance Downs Research Station has demonstrated that the groundwater levels change after clearing, and the relatiojnnship between groundwater levels and soil salinity has been emphasised. This pattern of hydrological change leading to soil salinity problems applies widely in the wheatbelt.

The Comprehensive Water Supply Scheme, K J. Kelsall

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

The Comprehensive Water Supply Scheme has been a great boon to the agricultural area, and it has received strong support from all political parties. The Scheme has been responsible for increased prosperity of country towns, the decentralisation of industry, and general improvements in the standard of living.

This is a look at the development of the Scheme.

P.W.D. Supplementary Public Water Supply Schemes, J E. Davis

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Shallow wells and soaks with very limited yields were the principal water sources for the early settlers.

Hundreds of such wells were constructed by the Public Works Department in remote areas.

In the early 1930s major development of water supplies from rock catchments was begun in the central wheatbelt.

After the war, larger and more effective earth moving equipment became available. The Public Works Department rehabilitated many old excavated dams as well as constructing new ones.

Roaded catchments were also developed during this post-war period. many farmers took advantage of Public Works Department technical advise and hired a P.W.D. grader …

Farm Dams In The Wheatbelt, I A F Laing

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

Of the estimated 76 000 farm dams in the wheatbelt, about 8 per cent either leak or are salt affected. The remaining 70 000 dams are capable of holding water for livestock use and can be regarded as sercicable dams.

A great many of the serviceable dams are unreliable water supplies due to the combined effects of lack of runoff from catchments, shallow depth of storage and small size of storage in relation to expected demand from livestock and evaporation loss.

A Logical Approach To Wheatbelt Water Supply, Stanley Thomas Smith

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

My particular task in this seminar (paper) has been to enunciate a logical approach to water recource utilisation in the wheatbelt, based on the points made by the speakers.

Some Basics Of Marron Production, Department Of Agriculture, Western Australia

Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 4

marron are native to the South-West of Western Australia, and are keenly sought by inland fisher-men. However, supplies do not equal the apparent demand.

One solution is to cultivate marron in farm dams, or more intensively as a commercial enterprise.

This article suggests a few guidelines for marron production.