Land Capability and Suitability Analysis

Running head: AGRICULTURAL STUDIES 1

Land Capability and Suitability Analysis

An Assignment Submitted by

Name of Student

University of New England

September 27, 2012

AGRICULTURAL STUDIES 2

Introduction

This research project is formulated to analyze and define a capability and

suitability of the land located in Toowoomba, Southern Queensland, Australia for

agricultural purposes in the future. That's one of the most sugnificant steps in finding a

correct decision how to use land resources.

A land capability describes a potential of the land according to its actual physical

characteristics and surroundings. It includes the features of landform and soils,

geography, erosion risk, floura and fauna world and others.

The analysis of the Toowoomba area represented below gives a plain

understanding of the best way that can be applied to the mentioned segment of land.


Background

South Qeensland region became one of the most potentially interesting region for

the agriculture and the biggest planning one in the whole world. It contains over 23. 700

square kilometres.

Toowoomba as the part of this region is located at the west of South East

Queensland, nearly 127 kilometres west from Brisbane, the third most densely populated

city in Australia.It borders the Dalby Region on the west, The Southern Downs Regions

and the Goondiwindi Region in the south, the Somerset and the Lockyer Valley in the

east, and the South Burnett in the north. This region is a big residential are that constantly

keeps growing. It has important rural and residential lands, and involves nearly 13 000

square kilometres.

Toowoomba which is my case study area is the major urban centre in the South

East Queensland that contains more smaller urban areas in the habitations of

Goombungee, Oakey, Yarraman, Clifton, Crows Nest, Millmerran and lots of other

settlements (Russell J., 2012).

This land is mostly used for the growing of agricultural crops, vegetables, cereals,

grazing of sheep, for dairy cattle and for the purposes of production of energy, forest

(wood) and tourism.

The region was discovered in far off 1827 year when English explorer Allan

Cuiingham came to Australia from Brazil and had found 4 million acres of rich land that

was good for grazing and farming. Toowoomba got its name after a property in the area

in 1850, or from the aboriginal word that means place of melon, or berries place.


The Toowoomba Regional Council develops the local economy and attracts

people to the community for creating a new design of the region and make it flourish

(Hughes, 2011). The wrong approach to the use of land causes its degradation and

incapacity in the future. The most significant issues that are seen in the study area are the

issues of landscapes, vegetation, residential and industrial land uses, waterways and water

resources (ground waters as well), urban character, human influence etc.


The Toowoomba Region ( Toowoomba Regional Council, 2011).


Toowoomba Region Terrain (Toowoomba Regional Council, 2011).

Toowoomba Region Road Map (Toowoomba Regional Council, 2011).


Nowadays the site is under the management of the Toowoomba Regional Council

which is a local government authority. This project is based on its actual policy guideline

and according to the community plan and strategic directions project of the study area.

Region Challenges

The community of the Toowoomba Region faces the range of challenges. The

most important that are strongly needed to be solved are:

1. Affordable water supply;

2. Growth of economics in the agricultural sector;

3. Issues in the environment;

4. Change of climate that negatively reflects on the agricultural activity.

Environment Analysis

The topography of Toowoomba can be described as low-lying and flat. The

valleys are not steep-sided but smooth which gives a good chance for using it for

agricultural purposes.

The site is rich with red soils of Toowoomba Plateau and black brown soils from

Darling Downs (Willey, 2003). Both these soil types are highly fertile. Other soils that

are presented in the area (skeletal and sandy gravely soils) are comparably low fertile.

Almost 60 mm rainfall difference between west and east of Toowoomba has been

reflected in factual soil chemistry difference and features (Gunn R.H, 1988).

Water resources of the region are presented with the Condamine River with all its

flows which creates a natural water system. Water capacity gives a possibility to provide

this type of resources through all the region. But nowadays there is the issue not resolved.


The lack of available water which could be used and water restrictions slows down a

considerable investments into industry and agriculture sectors.

Hence, Toowoomba is characterized with highly rainfalls which sometimes

causes floods.

The site has rich specific flora and fauna. Flora is presented with native plants and

those which were brought to Australia basically from Great Britain. 1545 animals and

plants were recorded at present. The Native Conservation Act of 1992 stated that 21 of

these are vulnerable and 20 of them are rare. (Native Conservation Act, 1992). Some

species of fauna were declared extinct (Paradise parrot, hopping mouse etc.).

Toowoomba has a temperate climate that characterized with cold winters and hot

summers.

Economics

The study area plays an important economic role on the stage of Queensland and

the whole Australia. It has a strong, prosperous economy that contributes to the

liveability of the region. The business activity is seen mostly in the agricultural sector

(over 87%) and tourism.

Economic growth is supported by infrastructure investments (including Surat

Basin Connection Road).

Land Capability

Having analyzed the data for the study area I came out to conclusin that

Toowoomba region is the area mostly capable for agriculture, especially in the west of

the region. In greenfield locations there is the industry kept being developed. This fact


may resolve the conflict with the good quality agricultural use of the land (Randolph. J,

2003).

According to the classification made by NSW Soil Conservation Service the site

class is 5 which tells about its suitability for grazing only, not for cropping. A perennial

pasture and ground cover should be possibly improved. As an option the drilling can be

performed on the suitable soil (Daniels T., 2003).

Moreover, the land is good for group camping activities and other different

community projects.

Recommendations

According to the analysis mentioned above the Toowoomba region is the area best

assigned to the agricultural land use. There is a plenty of issues needed to be solved

before for achieving any success and getting benefits. Right now the site is good for

grazing without any special necessity of making any changes but to increase the benefits

of it, it is strongly needed at first to increase the soil productivity, make it healphy, so it

will open the way of another activity (cropping) which usually offers a good profit. The

next step is to resolve all the environment issues as pollution, harmful human influences

and a lack of water available for agricultural activities.

One of the significant steps of making the most of the region is lying in a constant

protection of the nature environment and keeping the best conditions available for

flourishing and developing the region.


References

Hughes, M. (2011). Blending a heritage of recreation an tourism with conservation

of natural heritage.

Toowoomba Regional Council. (2011). Retrieved. From

.

Willey, E.C. (2003). Urban geology of the Toowoomba conurbation. SE

Queensland, Australia.

Native Conservation Act. (1992). Retrieved. From

.

Gunn R.H. (1988). Australian Soil and Land Survey. Inkata Press.

Randolph J. (2003). Environmental Land Use Planning and Management. Island

Press.

Daniels T. (2003). Environmental Planning Handbook: For Sustainable

Communities and Regions. Planners Press.

Russell J. (2012). Toowoomba. Book on Demand Ltd.

Toowoomba City Council. (2003). Toowoomba Planning Scheme 2003.

State Development Queensland. (2007). Darling Downs and South East

Queensland.

Documents

Land Capability and Suitability Analysis