Uranquinty Landcare Group

·Land and Water Management Study

Produced for the Uranquinty Landcare Group ..... 1993 11

Uranquinty Land and Water Management Study

Produced by:

Uranquinty Landcare Group

NSW Department of Conservation and Land Management

...... 1993 SECTION 1

Introduction and Summary of Land and Water Management Concerns and Recommendations ...... 1

1.1 Introduction ...... 1 1.2 Land and Water Management Issues ...... 1 1.3 Land and Water Management Recommendations ...... 2 1.4 Group Goals ...... 4

SECTION 2

Land Resource Inventory 6

2.1 Introduction ...... 6 2.2 Mapping and Data Processing ...... 8 2.3 Infrastructure ...... 8 2.4 Landform Features ...... 9 2.5 Vegetation and Timber Density ...... 11 2.6 Land Capability ...... 12 2.7 Catchment Statistics ...... 14

SECTION 3

Land and Water Management Concerns and Recommendations ...... 15

3.1 Establishing and Maintaining Perennial Pastures ...... 15 3.2 Maintaining Soil Fertility ...... 17 3.3 Soil Acidification ...... 17 3.4 Soil Structure Degradation ...... 18 3.5 Developing Sustainable Crop Production Systems ~ ...... 20 3.6 Re-establishing Tree Cover and Shelter ...... 21 3.7 Soil Erosion ...... 22 3.8 Land Liable to Occasional Flooding ...... 24 3.9 Soil Salinity and Surface Salinisation ...... 25 3.10 Rising Groundwater ...... 26 3.11 Surface Waterlogging ...... 29 3.12 Controlling Weeds, Pests and Fire ...... 29 3.13 Drought Management ...... 30 3.14 Property Planning Issues ...... 32 3.15 Crown Lands ...... 32 3.16 Shire Roads ...... 33

SECTION 4

References and Associated Investigations ...... 35 1

SECTION 1 INTRODUCTION AND SUMMARY OF LAND AND WATER MANAGEMENT CONCERNS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

1.1 Introduction

Uranquinty Landcare Group was formed in 1991 because of a number of land and water management problems which affect this catchment area. These concerns are summarised below.

Following a cooperative effort between members of the Landcare Group and the Department of Conservation and Land Management, this report on the catchment has been produced.

This report includes an inventory of the resources of t;he catchment, an assessment of its management concerns, and a set of management recommendations applicable to each of these management concerns.

Section 1.2 lists the management concerns which are more fully described in Section 3.

Section 1.3 provides an integrated summary of the recommendations given for dealing with each of the management concerns dealt with in Section 3.

1.2 Land and Water Management Issues

The major issues identified by the Uranquinty Landcare Group and the Department of Conservation and Land Management Resource Inventory study are:

• Establishment and management of perennial pastures; • Maintaining soil fertility; • Soil acidity; • Soil structure decline; • Developing sustainable crop production systems; • Tree decline and loss of shelter; • Soil erosion/streambank: erosion • Flooding of Sandy Creek and Murrumbidgee River; • Soil and water salinity; • Rising groundwater levels; • Surface waterlogging; • Weed, pest and fire control; • Drought management; • Property planning issues such as paddock design, access and water supply; • Management of Public Lands; 2

1.3 Land and Water Management Recommendations

These recommendations summarise those provided for each of the concerns or issues identified for this catchment. Many of the recommendations for individual concerns are applicable to more than one issue. The summary can be used as a check list in developing strategies for an integrated approach to these concerns on a property and catchment basis.

1.3.1 Develop and maintain vigorous pastures (introduced or native types, preferably perennial, but at least with a long season of activity) across all of the catchment not used for regular crop production, trees or other special areas. Lucerne should be widely included in or as the pasture in suitable soils. In addition to managing pasture for animal production, they should be managed for high plant water usage and for soil protection. This will maximise production, reduce groundwater recharge and soil acidification, and improve soil structure.

Particular attention should be given to pasture establishment in high recharge areas which are not to be re-established to trees, and to wet or waterlogged areas and areas subject to erosive water flows.

The development of such pastures may require trials to determine the most appropriate species and establishment techniques, necessary fertiliser and lime treatments, weed and pest control techniques, and effective grazing management systems. The District Agronomist can assist in planning such programs.

1.3.2 Develop sustainable crop production systems for croplands, giVmg attention to use of most appropriate crops and varieties, weed and pest control, adequate crop rotations, crop establishment techniques, erosion control, fertiliser as needed, soil structure and optimum sowing times. Aim to maximise crop water use and so, productivity and protection against soil degradation.

1.3.3 Continue monitoring of soil acidity status to show if modifications to management are needed to stop and reverse soil acidification. Maintain plant vigour and productivity by using acid tolerant species and varieties where necessary, and by applying lime where it can be economically justified, particularly on crops, lucerne and better improved pastures. 3

1.3.4 Prevent and reverse development of soil structure degradation by using reduced tillage or direct drilling, using tyned rather than disc implements, retaining stubble as much as possible, using long phases of pasture in rotations, including tap-rooted plants such as canola, lupins and lucerne in rotations, avoiding grazing or cultivating when soils are too wet, and using deep ripping and gypsum incorporation where needed to break up hard pans.

1.3.5 Complete property plans for all individual properties. These will facilitate paddock design and land use based on land capability, and should include designs for necessary erosion control measures, adequate water supply systems, provision for convenient and efficient access and stock movement, tree and shrub establishment for recharge control and shelter for animals, crops, and working areas, areas for permanent pasture establishment, adequate fire protection, etc.

1.3.6 Control and prevent erosion, including sheet, rill, gully, streambank and wind erosion. Erosion is particularly serious in the lighter soils around hill areas and in those areas which carry main storm water runoff. Wind erosion can become a serious problem in the light sandy soils around the hills in dry periods when soil cover is depleted.

Erosion control will preserve the productive capacity of the land and its ability to sustain vigorous and profitable crops and pastures. It should involve using the land according to its capability, maintaining protective ground cover, good soil structure, wind protection and soil conservation earthworks as needed.

1.3.7 Fence out saline discharge areas, control erosion and establish salt tolerant plants. Manage so as to develop and maintain total groundcover and reduce buildup of salinity.

1.3.8 Re-establish trees and shrubs to provide tree cover over a total of at least 5% of the catchment. Concentrate on those areas which contribute to high groundwater recharge, those with high erosion hazard (eg. major gully lines), and those providing maximum windbreak and shelter benefits.

1.3.9 Establish and monitor systems of piezometers in and around areas affected by high watertables and developing salinity. These will show the effects of changes to land management, and will indicate where further measures are needed.

1.3.10 Utilise suitable groundwater for stock water or for watering trees to reduce watertable build up. 4

1.3.11 Where areas are affected by surface waterlogging in wet seasons, consider diverting overland flows, deep ripping to break up any hard pan present, or establishing to perennial pastures and refraining from grazing when soil is waterlogged where wet conditions are not readily corrected.

1.3.12 Develop catchment-wide weed, rabbit and fire control strategies along with your neighbours and under the guidance of the District Agronomist, the Rural Land Protection Board and the Shire Council as appropriate.

1.3.13 Where land is subject to flooding from main creeks or Murrumbidgee River, plan land development, use and management accordingly.

1.3.14 Plan long-term drought management strategies that will maintain protection of land (particularly more fragile areas and steeper lands), that will be economically viable, and that will maintain the income­ producing base of the property. Identify the indicators that you can use for your property to trigger timely implementation of each stage of the strategy, rather than allowing crises to build and dictate actions.

1.3.15 Encourage administrators of lands held by governmental authorities to develop and manage their lands to meet the catchment management objectives adopted by the Group.

Some of the major concerns occurring across the catchment, such as waterlogging, salinity and tree decline, will be more successfully dealt with by the joint action of a number of landholders than by individual action on a piecemeal basis. Joint action can result in better integrated and more cost-effective solutions, and groups can often attract assistance where an individual may have failed. These are an important reasons for group development of the catchment plan and individual property plans.

Property and catchment planning helps to ensure that all issues of land degradation and management concern are considered together. Proposed treatments can then often be planned so as to be effective in treating more than one management concern.

1.4 Group Goals

1. For rocky areas which cannot be cultivated, sow down to perennial pastures by aerial seeding or maintaining good quality native pasture, and develop a 5% tree cover. 5

2. For land which can be cropped on slopes ranging between 5% and 20% (i.e. high groundwater recharge areas), develop cover of between 50% and 70% perennial based pastures and at least 2% tree cover.

3. For salt affected areas, fence out and establish to salt tolerant plant species.

4. For areas badly affected by erosion, fence out and plant with trees.

5. For areas badly affected by streambank erosion, along major creeks and Murrumbidgee River, fence out.

6. Arrange for an assessment of Crown Lands within the Landcare area to be carried out.

7. Arrange for controls on travelling stock to be instituted to maintain the condition of Travelling Stock Routes and Reserves in accordance with the Group's goals for the rest of the catchment and to facilitate control of pests, diseases and weeds.

8. Encourage Uranquinty School to become involved with the Group m tree planting programs. 1

LOCALITY DIAGRAM URANQUINTY SCALE: 1 :500 000 6

SECTION 2 LAND RESOURCE INVENTORY

2.1 Introduction

The Uranquinty Landcare Group area is situated approximately 10 km to the west and south west of Wagga Wagga. The town of Uranquinty is located in the centre of the catchment with the Olympic Way passing through it. The Sturt Highway runs east-west through the north of the Landcare area and the Wagga Wagga-Holbrook Road runs through its south-eastern end. The two other main roads in the catchment are the Oxley Bridge Road which links the Wagga Wagga-Holbrook Road to Uranquinty; and the Churches Plain Road which links Uranquinty to the Sturt Highway.

The climate of Uranquinty is winter rainfall dominant, with cool winters and hot dry summers. The average annual rainfall for the area is 548 mm a year, with the average wettest month being June with 61 mm and the average driest month being December with 38 mm. The month with the highest average temperature is January with 24.1 °C and the month with the lowest average temperature is July with 7.8°C.

Because the climate is winter rainfall dominant and there is not enough effective summer rainfall for summer growing crops, the area is best suited for cropping of winter cereals, grain legumes and oilseeds, and production of cool season annual and perennial pastures.

The Livingstone State Forest is situated in the south-eastern corner of the catchment and Kapooka Army Base is situated in the north east. There are 357 ha of Crown Land in the catchment while the balance of the land is held by 97 private landholders, except for strips of land along the roads and railway lines.

The Murrumbidgee River constitutes the northern boundary of the group's area with the catchment divides of the Sandy Creek, Little Sandy Creek and Colloboralli Creek forming the rest of the boundary. The locality diagram shows the shape of the catchment.

The main enterprises in the Uranquinty area are:

- grazing of sheep for prime lambs and wool production; - beef cattle; - cropping of winter cereals, grain legumes and oilseeds; - a small area of irrigation of summer and winter crops; -production of hay. 7

The catchment is virtually divided in half by Sandy Creek, which is the main drainage line into the Murrumbidgee River. The other main creeks in the area, which are tributaries of Sandy Creek are Colloboralli Creek and Little Sandy Creek.

At the northern end of the Landcare area is the alluvial flood plain of Murrumbidgee River. The topography rises south of this to gently undulating to undulating country, which consists of two soil types, red earths on the lower slopes and red duplex soils on the upper slopes. Around the edges of the catchment granite rock outcrops are common, with red duplex soils between the outcrops.

South of Uranquinty the land ranges from gently rising to undulating slopes, with red earths on the lower slopes and red duplex soils on the upper slopes. Along the catchment divide west of Sandy Creek there are granite rock outcrops with red duplex soils. The catchment divide east of Sandy Creek is steep with large areas of granite rock outcrop mixed with highly erodible soils of siliceous sands and siliceous loams.

The geology in the Uranquinty catchment consists of the following types:

1. Quaternary Alluvium; 2. Tertiary Alluvium; 3. Collingullie Granite; 4. Burrandana Granite; 5. Ordovician Metasediments.

Quaternary Alluvium occurs on the Murrumbidgee flood plain and other low lying areas of the catchment. This material has been deposited over the past 2 million years and mainly consists of clay, silt, sand and graveL Deposition is still occurring in these areas.

The Tertiary Alluvium is located on the red undulating country in the Uranquinty area. The material was deposited over the past 63 million years as poorly consolidated gravelly siltstone.

Areas of Collingullie Granite occur in the northern part of the catchment in Yarragundry area. This material was originally formed in the Silurian age (approximately 425 million years ago) and has been highly weathered.

Areas of Burrandana Granite occur in the southern half of the catchment in the Maxwell area. Burrandana Granite is also of Silurian age, but it is finer grained than the Collingullie Granite.

Areas of Ordovician metasediments occur on the north-eastern side of the catchment. This material was originally deposited as sediment around 500 million years ago in a lake or sea bed and subsequently subjected to extreme 8

metamorphic influences. This material has been highly weathered and consists of undivided interbedded siltstone, shale, phyWte, schist and quartzite which have been highly weathered.

Salinity is a problem in the northern part of the catchment in the Y arragundry area and in the southern part of the catchment in the Maxwell area.

Soil acidification is of concern in the red soils and the soils associated with granite outcrops.

2.2 Mapping and Data Processing

The information contained in this Land Resources Inventory has been produced by the Department of Conservation and Land Management using aerial photograph interpretation with field checking and verification.

Aerial photography used was produced by Land Information Centre, NSW flown 1990 at a scale of 1:25,000 (Film No NSW 3757.)

Information derived from aerial photograph interpretation was transferred onto a topographic map at a scale of 1:25,000 (C.MA. 1:25,000 Topographic Series, Collingullie, Wagga Wagga, Uranquinty, Lake Albert, The Rock and Big Springs Sheets.

Other surveys and mapping which cover this catchment include:

Soil Survey by Dept of Conservation and Land Management (not yet published) Geological Investigations - by CSIRO, Canberra (not yet published) Soil Erosion Survey by Soil Conservation Service of NSW in 1990. Land Capability . by Soil Conservation Service of NSW in 1982. (Wagga Wagga 1:100,000 sheet SCS 15683)

Original maps for this report have been prepared at a scale of 1:25000 (lcm = 250m). (Maps reproduced in this booklet are at a smaller scale for reasons of convenience- see bar scale on maps.)

All mapping information is stored in CaLM's computer based Geographic Information System, GIS. It is in digital or disc format, and can be reproduced at any scale.

2.3 Infrastructure

This is the base map of the catchment area showing the catchment boundary, main drainage lines, streams, main roading, and property boundaries. -----­_ ...

Doportment of Conservation ond Land Management URANQUINlY LANDCARE GROUP LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN EROSION ....l:::t:::l==±:::=::±:::=:=::::l=:::::J ·­ J.

SHEET 91111 RI!.L EROS!OH ""-CNt.£ -...... D ...... ­...... 0 IIHOit.•••••• ••••--····-····0 0<111£WL•••••••••••••••••••••••• o -\"E...... •...... ___o ....T~·- ···-······ · o

SWW,SUDt.SOO. ... !lOCI< DUAlS AV'AIAIJ.N"""*"OCME:._____...._

101 ••• .... \Mft 1,5 M ...... •• • • • • e 103 ••• 3-1 fll ...,..____,,,...... 102 - 1~3 "'..,___,...... 104 ••• ,.._.... ttt.ft 1 m et.,. ••••••• 91JU.Y EJ!OSION gg ,, _, ... U,.1.!1fll~ - 71 ... .._theft 1.5 m dMp•. _ ~ ... 1 . 1-~.., ;..,.. ,_,,_,,, ­ 72.- 1~3 m ...... ­ Sol ••• 3-1 fl'l ...,_., ...... _ _ ,, ­ 73 _ J-1 m ...,.,_,,_...... ­ 64 ... trwt« ttwln ...... , - 74 _ .-w thlln 1,. dMp- M ••• SALTM...... ­ ••• _ 7s ••• SALnM'G...... _

IIOOEJOATE ~ 11 ·- ltfthfl 1.5 "' ..... ­ 11 ...... thalli 1.5 fll ...,_ -----­ a ... ,.,_3 .. ..,_,_,__ - 12.- 1.1-.J'" -...... _ tJ ... 3-11ft..,._..._..._ - 13 ·- 3-1 '" -.,...... - ...... ­ ..... ~thn.·lft.., _ IM ...... ,t.U... lm""P - •- w.n•---········--·· ­ .­SALIM...... _ _ _ -­--­

Department of eon-.ation and Land Wonogoment URANQUINTY LANDCARE GROUP LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN SOILS

SOILS

Alluvials ...... S Uthosols •• •.••••.•••••••• ••••.i::J Red Eorths ...•...... •....•••• Rod POdsoliC

Those streams with active erosion points have cut deeply into the alluvium.

In a total catchment situation, the current problems of dryland salinity are relatively minor but have the potential to become more serious. Areas of dryland salinity are shown on the maps under the heading Salt Outbreak.

Three stages of development of soil salinity have been recognised within this catchment:

1. Areas with saline indicator species such as sea barley grass (early stage of salinity) (78 ha).

2. Areas which show minor scalding (20 ha).

3. Areas which show moderate scalding (5 ha).

The total area affected by salinity in this catchment is about 103 ha, or 0.5% of the catchment.

SYMBOLS AND CRITERIA FOR MAPPING SOIL EROSION

SYMBOL CLASS SUB-CLASS

Oll No appreciable erosion 012 No erosion classification due to land use 015 Saline indications

021 Sheet erosion Minor 022 Moderate 023 Severe 024 Very Severe 025 Salting

031 Wind erosion Minor 032 Moderate 033 Severe 034 Very Severe

041 Rill erosion Minor 042 Moderate 043 Severe 044 Very Severe 045 Salting

051 Minor gully erosion: isolated discontinuous <1.5m deep 052 linear gullies, confined to primary or 1.5m - 3m deep 053 minor drainage lines 3- 6m deep 054 >6m deep 055 Salting 11

061 Moderate gully erosion: continuous linear <1.5m deep 062 gullies to primary or minor drainage lines 1.5- 3m deep 063 3- 6m deep 064 > 6m deep 065 Salting

071 Severe gully erosion: discontinuous or <1.5m deep 072 continuous gullies branching into minor 1.5- 3m deep 073 drainage lines, or multiple branching 3- 6m deep 074 within primary drainage lines > 6m deep 075 Salting

081 Very severe gully erosion: discontinuous 6m deep 085 Salting

091 Mass movement Slump 092 Slide 093 -avalanche Soil debris 094 -avalanche Rock debris

101 Stream bank erosion <1.5m deep 102 1.5- 3m deep 103 3- 6m deep 104 >6m deep

2.5 Vegetation and Timber Density

A survey of tree cover (see table) shows that 81% of the area has five per cent or less tree cover. There is also a very limited area of understorey species.

Areas of natural regeneration are also limited to roadsides and small remnant areas of natural vegetation. Natural regeneration is unlikely to occur unless stock are excluded from an area for a period of time. PI!£PNlmiJ'I'TH£CJiim:JIJIUIS~ flQI tlmitD Fn.O lllfCAWDIItlD IHn£CEIX'IIiW't«:~5"1111l(

Depa rtment of Conservation and Land Management URANQUIN1Y LANDCAR E GROU P LAND MANAG EMENT PLAN TREE COVER

TREE COVER

Remnant river red gum community ... ­ Regrowth of river rod gum ...... E;SSI Remnont natural vegeta tion ...... 0 Regrawth of natural vegetation ...... Z2Zl Windbreak and tree lot ...... 0

------·----- ·- --~-~---· ------.. --~- 12

The statistics for the tree density of the catchment are as follows:

% of Tree Cover Area (ha) % of Catchment <1% 13 031 61.6 1-5% 4 261 20.2 5-10% 1 565 7.5 10-20% 1 021 4.9 20-50% 423 2.0 >50% 806 3.8 TOTAL 21 107 100

2.6 Land Capability

The capability of the lands for sustained agricultural production has been assessed from the resource information. It is an assessment of the long-term potential use of the land, based upon:­

(i) the physical limitations of the land: slope, terrain, soil type and depth, rock outcrop

(ii) the existing or developing land degradation features, groundwater levels and qualities, dryland salinity, soil erosion and soil acidity.

Land used within its capability and in line with management recommendations will be capable of long-term production with no effect on the yield or productivity, will not be affected by land degradation and will not cause off-site damage within the catchment.

The subscripts to. each of the land capability classes indicate the major limitation for each class. They are:

ar - assumed recharge r - shallow soil and/or rock outcrop e - soil erosion hazard s - salt outbreak f - flooding t - deep gully or stream g - steep slope x - developing salt outbreak p - soil problem w - seasonal waterlogging

There are four main categories of land within the land capability classification.

Classes I, 11 and Ill - cropping land

The first category represents land capable of frequent growing of crops which may use tillage practices involving a series of workings or the preferred reduced tillage techniques. It includes land where the soils are sufficiently deep and -­---_ .. -----~_,.••--..:----­......

Depor1mont of Coneertation ond Land 1o1onogoment URANQUINlY LANDCARE GROUP LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN RURAL LAND CAPABIUTY

-!1110l::±±:=±==::::±:=i:::::=::::::i 0 ·­

RURAL. LAND CAPABIUJY

Closo 1! •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••.0 Class 111 ••••.•...... •.....•.•...•.....•..0 CICI$8 IV••••••••••••••••••••.••••••••••••• Claaa V ••••••••.••••••••••••••••.••••••••• r:J Class VI •• ••••• ••••.•••••..••••. ••••••• ••• Clan VI - Rocky areo ••••..•.•. .D Cloaa VI ­ Solino area •....•....• Class VI - Wet area ...... & Cla sa VII •••• ••••••••••. .••••••.••••••••••.CJ Clasa VII ­ Gully or stream ..•• Class VIII ­ Cliff .••...... •...... Claa.t VIII ­ Water body •••••••• ••• Constructed waterway •••.••••••••• Quarry •••.•.•••••..•...•..•.•..• •• .•...... B Rifle range ...... •...... •. ~ 13

which have a structure and texture which will not break down under tillage within the limits defined; are free of excessive salts; relatively free of large stone or in-situ rock so as not to restrict the use of farm machinery; and which have good profile drainage, but a sufficient water-holding capacity to meet the requirements of the crop.

Classes IV and V - grazing land with some tillage

The second category includes land capable only of infrequent growing of crops when using tillage practices involving a series of soil workings. This land is best used for grazing but it can be tilled occasionally for different types of crops or for pasture establishment or renewal. However, because of site factors such as climate, soil type, slope, topographic location or drainage, it is not capable of repeated cultivations.

Class VI - grazing land not suited to any tillage

Grazing land which is not capable of tillage operations makes up a third category. It includes lands having a series of physical or chemical constraints which limit productivity. Physical constraints may include soil properties such as depth, stoniness, and erodibility or drainage, or site features such as slope, landform elements, rock outcrops and erosion hazards. Chemical limitations include both deficiencies and toxic levels of all nutrients.

Classes VII and VIII - land best suited to trees

A final category includes land considered unsuited for any type of cropping or grazing because of its physical limitations. These may physically restrict production and may result in an extreme soil erosion hazard if general land clearing takes place.

The general criteria in determining the land capability classes for the Study Area are:

CLASS VIII: land with no agricultural potential. Comprises all areas where the slope gradients are greater than 50%, soils and are less than 10 cm deep or rock outcrops occur.

CLASS VII: land best left under trees or replanted to trees. Includes all land with one or more of the following features:

- slopes between 33% and 50% with shallow soils or rock outcrop - all deep gullies, drainage lines and streams - swamps and waterbodies - severely gullied drainage lines which can only be treated by fencing off, excluding stock and planting trees and pastures - shallow soils, less than 10 cm deep, on slopes above 10% and less than 33%. 14

CLASS VI: lower quality grazing land which should not be cultivated. It incorporates:

the salt affected lands on the valley flats all remaining areas of shallow soils, less than 10 cm deep, which mainly / occur on ridge tops / slopes between 20% and 50% where the soils are deep and stable - drainage depressions which are permanently wet or waterlogged.

CLASSES IV AND V: better quality grazing lands which can be cultivated for the establishment of perennial pastures. Some areas can be used to grow an occasional crop when soil and seasonal conditions are right. Class IV and V lands include:

all low sloping lands, with slope gradients less than 20% and soil depths between 10 and 50 cm areas with severe erosion problems caused by current cropping practices. These lands should be sown to a perennial pasture areas of highly dispersible soils

CLASS Ill: land with a high cropping potential as part of a crop/pasture rotation. Soil conservation earthworks will be required to prevent soil erosion if the areas are cultivated regularly. Comprises all areas with slopes between 5% and 10% and soil depths greater than 50 cm.

CLASS II: comprises lands with a high cropping potential as part of a crop/pasture rotation but do not require soil conservation earthworks to control soil erosion.

2.7 Catchment Statistics

The following tables summarise some of the information collected in the land resource inventory.

Table 1 - Catchment Statistics Table 2 - Land Use Statistics

Attribute Measurement Land Use Area ha

Catchment Area 21 107 ha Cropping/Grazing rotation 12 018 Flood Plain 1 500 ha Native pasture 4 480 Rocky Areas 2 345 ha Improved pasture 3 879 Salt Affected Areas 103 ha Wet Areas 244 Potentially High Recharge Irrigation 55 Slope Gradients 5-20%/no rock 3 925 ha Gravel extraction 51 Stream bank Erosion 6 746 m Timber 165 Gully Erosion 52 052 m Average Timber Density 3.36% 15

Table 3 - Soils Table 4 - Land Capability

Map Soil Type Area ha Percent Map Description Area ha Percent Symbol Symbol

A Alluvial 1 649 7.8 Class ii Amble (low erosion hazard) 1 496 7.1 L Litho sol 1 828 8.7 Class iii Amble (moderalc-bigh RE Red Earth 10 775 51.0 erosion hazard) 14 804 70.1 RP Red Podzolic 4 860 23.0 Class iv G=~ • arable (low ss Siliceous Sand 1 234 5.8 erosion hazard) 488 2.3 sz Solonetz 118 3.0 Class v G=~ • arable (Mod. • (Urban area not classified) high erosion hazard) 660 3.1 Class vi G=~ ·non-arable 61 0.3 G=~ ·non arable (rocky) 2 013 9.5 G=~ · non·arable (saline) 117 0.6 G=~ · non-arable (wet) 211 1.0 Class vii Nee~ protection of m:.cs 327 1.6 Nee~ protection of nccs • gullies 730 3.5 Class viii Non-agrienltuml (varioos) 200 0.9 Totals 21 107 100 -­._._ ~...,...... ·---.c--­...._.flll...... al)

Deportment of Conoetvotion and Land l.lonogorl*1t URANQUINlY LANDCARE GROUP LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN -- LAND MANAGEMENT ·­

LAND MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS

Seasonal flooding Maintain permonent posture in main flood channels and remove debris. Where po:ssible construct fences parallel to the flood flow and position to avoid stock tropa. Direct drill crops and pastures on cropping country where flood velocoty is high ••...... ••.• O Cropping land with Practise aoil conservation meaaure• •uch os an eroaton hazard contour cuttivation1 minimum tillage, dir.ct drilling,. ~~:~~'f~~$.~~~--~~~~~-~ --~~- ~~-~...... 0 Croppil)ll land with In cropping phose practise 30il conservotiorr ~~onniol posture meosures mentioned above. In posture phose · ,--., , vwu inclode a variety of perennial posture species ...... Arable grazing land Maintain high ~uolity perennial posture with occasional cultovotion for posture rejuvenation •••••••• ••••CJ ~ble SJI)lZing land Mointgin high ~uol !ty perennial post~re with. with erosoon flozond occosoonol cultivation for posture reJuvenation. Practise soil conservation moaeuros such os ~~~~~~~~ti~~~~ : .~~~--~-~~~ ~ ~~ . ~~~ ...... !ZZ:I Non-arable grazing Maintain high quality native posture or maintain land high quality improved posture through aerial seeding and fertilisong ....•....•.•••.•....•...... •••...•..•...... •.....•...... EiiJ Rocky oreo lo4ointoin at least 5% tree canopy cover and high quality native or improved po3ture ••.•••.....•..•.•.•....•.•••• ..0 Steep rocky land Leave t o green timber •...••.••...... ••...... ••...... •...... 0 Wet area Establish postures that ore tolerant to wotw­ logging such os pholoria, etc •••••••• ••••••••.•••••••....•...•.•• ••• • Saline area fence out to exclude stock. Establish salt tolerant apeciea such os toll wheat gross, puccinellio,. strawberry clover, blue bush or &Oft bush .••• ..•••.....•.... Str.ombonk erosion fence ou~ to exclude sto<;k and encourage tree •• 1109eneration or trM plontong ••••••...•••••••.... .•• .•••..•..•...•••• • •• Gully erosion Gullies deeper than 3 metres with large external catchments to be fencotd out and revegetoted. Gullies leas than 3 metres deep with small catchments con be reclaimed Dy filling or shaping in conj unction with soil erosion control atructu""' ••.. .. other Maintain soil fertility and &ail atructure through appropriate management practices ••...... •..•.....•..•.....•... D 16

SECTION 3 LAND AND WATER MANAGEMENT CONCERNS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

A summary of the major issues identified by Uranquinty Landcare Group and by analysis of the Department of Conservation and Land Management Resource Inventory study, and of the recommendations developed to address these issues, is provided in the introduction to this report in Section I. Each of the concerns identified is now described and more detailed recommendations provided for dealing with it.

3.1 Establishing and Maintaining Perennial Pastures

Landholders in this catchment, in common with others across much of the State, are faced with the need to develop large areas of vigorous, long season perennial pastures to control soil acidification, soil erosion and groundwater recharge, to restore soil structure, and to improve grazing productivity.

This raises questions, for different situations across the catchment, as to: ­

• the most appropriate pasture species and varieties • successful establishment techniques • appropriate grazing management systems • fertiliser and lime treatments • weed and pest control measures • the economic implications of following these recommendations

Landholders in Uranquinty area are looking for satisfactory answers to some of these questions, and this has been listed as one of the primary management concerns.

The main requirements for pastures to fill the required roles are for:

a. vigorous plants capable of producing a good bulk of nutritious feed which is acceptable to stock and which is available for a large portion of the year;

b. plants with deep rooting systems capable of utilising soil moisture and nutrients including nitrogen from a good depth of soiL This will extend plant production into drier periods, will create a dry soil sponge to reduce groundwater recharge from following rains, will give plants access to a greater store of nutrients, and will reduce soil acidification due to nitrogen leaching. Well developed deep rooting systems also help to restore soil structure;

c. plants capable of producing a dense cover of active leaves to utilise soil water;

d. plants producing good ground cover to protect soil from erosion;

e. robust plants capable of easy establishment and maintenance using readily available and affordable technology; 17 f. plants with reasonable summer activity such as lucerne, Consol love grass and some native grasses to form part of the pasture composition, to reduce groundwater recharge and extend the period of feed production; g. pasture types and establishment and maintenance systems which will pay for their implementation and return reasonable dividends. Of particular importance here is the need for low cost, low maintenance systems for broad areas of lower value, lower production country. This type of country often has an important role in groundwater recharge and soil erosion contexts;·

The establishment and management of perennial pastures is one of the important broad area recommendations for addressing many of the management concerns that have been noted. It is therefore appropriate that high priority for any trials and demonstrations within this area should be given to finding answers to the questions raised earlier in this regard.

The District Agronomist can assist in planning such programs. The District Soil Conservationist should be included where land degradation control issues are involved.

The Land Management Map gives a catchment scale overview of the areas in which perennial pasture establishment and maintenance should be concentrated. (Individual Farm Plans will modify this to provide practical farm-scale plans for implementing this strategy.)

Areas shown Seasonal Flooding should have permanent pasture in main flood channels.

Cropping land with perennial pasture rotation· should have perennial pasture species included in the pasture phase of the rotation.

Arable grazing land should have high quality perennial pasture with occasional cultivation for rejuvenation.

Arable grazing land with erosion hazard should have high quality perennial pasture with occasional cultivation for rejuvenation together with appropriate soil conservation measures.

Non-arable grazing land should have high quality native pasture or improved pasture maintained through aerial seeding and fertilizing.

Rocky areas should have high quality native or improved pasture together with at least 5% tree cnaopy.

Wet areas should be established to permanent pastures tolerant of waterlogging such as phalaris.

Saline areas should be fenced out and sown to salt tolerant species, including the pasture species tall wheat grass, puccinellia and strawberry clover. 18

3.2 Maintaining Soil Fertility

The export of primary produce from a property must result in the removal of plant nutrients from the soiL Unless this nutrient removal is balanced by using fertilisers or lime, or by biological and other natural processes (eg. nitrogen fixation and natural mineral weathering), a decline in soil chemical fertility must occur. This will be accompanied by a decline in the productivity of the property as the supply of any plants nutrient falls below the critical leveL

Productivity can also be affected by declining physical fertility of the soiL This is a decline in the physical condition of the soil which affects its ability to absorb and release water, air and nutrients for plant use, and its ability to provide a suitable medium for soil microbial activity, earthworms, plant root growth, etc. Declining physical fertility is generally associated with a decline in soil structure caused by poor cultural practices and inadequate crop rotations. This is dealt with separately in Section 3.4.

Recommendations:

To prevent nutrient decline:

• test soils on a regular basis to identify nutrient deficiencies that limit production; • balance nutrient removal in produce exported from the property by fertiliser replacement; • avoid using fertilisers or rates of fertilisers that will quickly increase the soil acidity levels; • use deep rooted perennial pastures and deep rooted crops to help recycle some plant nutrients from lower down the soil profile; • retain stubble to maintain some of the nutrients for recycling. Do not burn unless it is necessary for disease, weed or pest control or there is too much straw for machines to handle.

Technical Advice: District Agronomist, Wagga Wagga for advice about fertiliser and lime requirements.

3.3 Soil Acidification

The way we have been using our agricultural and grazing lands has been leading to soil acidification over wide areas of south:eastern Australia. This has been caused by nitrate leaching from clover pastures and by the export of plant nutrients such as calcium in hay, grain and animal products without adequate replacement, as by liming.

Soils are considered to have an acid problem when the pH of the top soil layers fall below 5.0 (when tested in calcium chloride solution). Some soils have a pH less than 5.0 in the natural state. 19

Plants have different tolerances to soil acidity levels. With a decrease in soil pH, production levels from the acid sensitive crops and pastures decline. Landholders may need to change to acid tolerant species or varieties to maintain production. Alternatively, lime can be applied to raise the soil pH back to a level that is suitable for optimum production.

It may be necessary for soil acidity problems to be corrected before programs of establishing perennial pastures and tree planting can be undertaken to address other land management issues.

Recommendations:

1. Where soil acidity is suspected, soils should be properly sampled and have pH levels tested for both surface soils (0 - 10 cm) and subsoils (to 40 cm depth).

2. Where soil testing shows acidity to be a problem (i.e. where pH in calcium chloride solution falls below 5.0), the following measures should be taken as appropriate for the enterprise and severity of the acidity:­

• Use deep rooting crops and pastures, perennial where practicable, to use up nitrogen which would otherwise increase soil acidity;

• Retain crop stubble rather than burning to tie up nitrogen until it can be used, and to add to soil organic matter;

• Plant crops early to utilise more soil nitrogen;

• Use acid-tolerant species and varieties of crops and pastures to maintain plant vigour and productivity;

• Use lime-pelleting of seeds to aid plant establishment.

• Where necessary because of higher levels of acidity or because of the need to use less acid tolerant plants, apply lime at the rates recommended by your agronomist on the basis of reliable soil tests and paddock trials. Lime should be well incorporated into the soil wherever practicable.

• In situations where acidity is highest in surface soils and where soil layers at shallow depths are impeding root development, deep ripping or deep non­ inverting tillage may be of assistance.

Technical Advice: District Agronomist, Wagga Wagga District Soil Conservationist, Wagga Wagga

3.4 Soil Structure Degradation

Where soils such as those of this area have been cultivated over a considerable period, it can be expected that they will have suffered to a greater or lesser degree from some type of soil structure decline. Heavy grazing, particularly under wet soil conditions, can also have a detrimental effect on structure. The types of problems which should be looked for include: 20

(a) The decline in soil structure stability, leading to less pore space, lower water infiltration rates, poorer root development, lower water holding capacity, poor soil aeration and waterlogging problems. In some soil types slaking and surface crusting can be serious problems.

(b) The development, due to soil compaction, of layers in the soil which impede water drainage and root development - i.e. "pans".

Recommendations:

1. Regular monitoring by exammmg soils in shallow pits dug with a spade when soils are moderately moist but not over wet. This will make you aware of the condition of your soils in particular areas and allow necessary corrective action to be taken.

2. The use of deep rooting plants will help to open up soils.

3. Restriction of the cropping phase of your rotation on Classes II and Ill to about 3 consecutive years before re-establishment of pastures.

4. The use of longer phases of vigorous pasture, particularly perennial species, will allow the re-establishment of soil structure, porosity and organic content.

5. Direct drilling and minimum tillage techniques reduce soil damage during crop and pasture establishment phases.

6. Using stubbles for soil protection and build up, rather than burning them, increases surface protection, soil porosity and organic levels.

7. Time cultivation operations to those periods when soil moisture levels will keep soil damage to a minimum. Cultivation when too dry will powder soil, when too wet will compact it.

8. Avoid grazing when soil moisture levels will result in undue compaction. Wherever practicable, soils which become very wet should be fenced separately to better drained areas, to allow grazing management better matched to soil conditions.

9. Deep ripping with non-inverting tillage equipment can be of great assistance to root development and water infiltration where restricting layers of soil occur at relatively shallow depths.

10. In certain soil types (which can be identified by soil testing) the use of soil ameliorants such as gypsum and lime may be warranted to improve soil flocculation, water infiltration rates and root development.

Technic3J. Advice: District Soil Conservationist, Wagga Wagga District Agronomist, W agga W agga 21

3.5 Developing Sustainable Crop Production Systems

Healthy crops produce better returns, give the soil better protection against erosion, and use more soil water, reducing groundwater recharge and waterlogging.

Limitations such as acid soils, plant nutrient decline, soil structure degeneration, plant diseases and pests, weeds and waterlogging all need to be addressed to promote the health and vigour of crops on a sustainable basis.

Recommendations:

• acid soils - see Section 3.3 • plant nutrient decline - see Section 3.2 • soil structure degradation - see Section 3.4 •· control plant diseases and pests - use "break crops" to control take-all. - plan crop rotations to control diseases and pests. - use chemical controls where needed. • control weeds to enhance crop vigour control waterlogging where practicable - otherwise avoid cropping and establish pasture.

Technical Advice: District Agronomist Wagga Wagga for advice on crop production together with District Soil Conservationist for advice on land degradation control issues. 22

3.6 Re-establishing Tree Cover and Shelter

The widespread clearing of the native forests towards the end of last century, and the current situation where the remaining mature trees are starting to die, have resulted in an inadequate tree cover in the Uranquinty catchment area.

The clearing of the native forests has resulted in a series of land degradation problems, including;

• increasing levels of groundwater; • severe gully erosion along many drainage lines; • streambank: erosion; • loss of shade and shelter to pastures, crops and livestock; • loss of wood materials for on farm use or for sale; • loss of habitat for insect eating birds; decline in the general appearance of properties.

The extensive clearing that was carried out by earlier generations of farmers in the district is now known to be a direct cause of rising groundwaters in lower parts of the landscape. The re-establishment of a suitable level of tree cover will be one method to help lower the amount of water entering the groundwater system. At the same time, tree planting or tree regeneration programs will have a direct and important bearing on the treatment of other land and stock management problems, such as lack of shelter and wind protection.

Stresses on crops, pastures and livestock caused by cold or hot winds represent a loss of income to landholders. In protected paddocks, calving and lambing percentages are increased and soil loss due to wind erosion can be avoided.

A pattern of windbreaks can be integrated with the management requirements for groundwater control, streambank and gully erosion control, wildlife habitat and with areas of Crown Land.

Recommendations:

To maintain and increase tree cover:

• retain and manage all existing trees along streams. Sandy Creek and Murrumbidgee River are prescribed streams under the Soil Conservation Act, 1938 and a permit is required to destroy or damage trees within 20 m of the bed or bank of these streams; • fence out selected sites to exclude stock where mature trees are being damaged and regrowth eaten; • fence off sections along streams where there are no young trees to encourage regeneration.

On Rural Land Capability Classes II, Ill, IV and V:

• target 2% of these lands to be retained or re-established to permanent timber; • discourage clearing from all existing stands of trees; • fence off selected areas to exclude livestock and to encourage regeneration; 23

• encourage regeneration or the establishment of shelter belts, windbreaks and treelots in specific locations for: stock, pasture and crop shelter; stabilising eroded gullies; groundwater management; and providing materials for on farm use or for sale. • investigate the possibilities for agroforestry enterprises, particularly on high recharge areas.

On Rural Land Capability Class VI:

• target 20% of the lands where soils are shallow and less than 10 cm deep to be retained or re-established to permanent timber because of their importance to groundwater recharge.

Target as first priority those areas where the timber density is already greater than 20%;

• discourage clearing from all existing stands of trees; • fence off selected areas to exclude livestock and to encourage regeneration; • on areas where the soils are deeper, establish trees as part of an agroforestry situation. Species may be selected for on-farm uses, firewood, specialty timbers or for stock fodder; • plant salt tolerant trees on the margins of salt scalds; (Land Capability Class Vls)

On Rural Land Capability Classes VII and Vill:

• target 100% of lands ·with slopes greater than 33% or with soils less than 10 cm deep for timber regeneration; • retain all existing trees; undertake tree planting as part of a soil erosion control program on Land Capability Class VII.

To provide wind protection:

• establish a series of windbreaks in areas subject to strong, hot or cold winds, at right angles to the direction of the most destructive winds. Windbreaks are preferably three rows wide to reduce the effects of wind erosion and to improve crop and· stock production;

Technical Advice: Extension Forester, Narrandera Conservation Farming Officer, Wagga Wagga

3.7 Soil Erosion

Gully erosion and stream bank erosion are the most obvious forms of soil erosion in Uranquinty area. These have been mapped as totalling about 52 km in length for gullies and 6.8 km for streambank erosion in the main creeks.

Soil erosion is commonly associated with cultivation for cropping or firebreaks, with hard grazing in dry periods followed by heavy rains or strong winds, with runoff from roads, erosion in vehicle tracks, or with damage to main water flowlines caused by cultivation, overgrazing or tracks. 24

Damage to vegetation due to soil salinity can also expose soil to erosion damage.

Erosion by water or wind removes valuable top soil and plant nutrients, reducing productive potential. The resultant erosional debris damages dams, fences, roads, and streams and pollutes water supplies and rivers.

Recommendations:

1. Use land according to its capability - see Land Capability Map.

2. Ensure that all land use practices result in soil losses of less than 1 tonne/hectare/annum.

3. Maintain good cover on main water flowlines at all times. (Fence erosion prone areas where necessary to ensure this) Keep cultivation, firebreaks and stock and vehicle tracks away from flowlines, only crossing them where necessary at right angles to the flow, and then providing erosion protection.

4. Fence all unstable gullies deeper than 3 m to exclude stock. Trees, shrubs and perennial grasses should be planted or encouraged to re-establish naturally within and adjacent to the gully. There may be a need for some structural works to divert water around active gully heads. Once the trees and shrubs are established in the fenced areas these areas can be occasionally grazed or slashed to remove any excess grass growth that is creating a fire hazard. Livestock are to be removed before they start grazing the trees and shrubs. ·

5. Use minimum tillage or direct drill techniques, with all cultivation operations across the slope. Retain stubbles as far as possible.

6. Use adequate crop rotations with good pasture phases, preferably perennial pastures and including lucerne where practicable.

7. Use fertiliser as necessary to ensure vigorous crops and pastures.

8. Address soil structure problems with pasture phases, tap-rooted crops, using tynes rather than discs, with minimum tillage and deep ripping and/or gypsum where needed.

9. Maintain adequate protective ground cover at all times - at least 70% with pasture, stubble, etc.

10. Utilise perennial pasture species where practicable including native species and summer active species such as Consol love grass to improve year round ground cover and extend feed availability. Native species can be particularly useful in poorer soils and drier periods.

11. Use lucerne, rotationally grazed, in crop rotations on suitable soils to reduce pressure on other ground cover over the normally dry late summer and autumn.

12. Farm plan to ensure adequate stock watering points, and design track, firebreak, fence and windbreak alignments to control erosion. 25

13. Design and implement appropriate soil conservation earthworks (banks, dams, waterways, gully filling etc) where needed to restrict soil loss to less than 1 tonne/hectare/annum.

14. Where soil conservation earthworks or dams are built to store water, ensure that there are no leakages or accessions to the groundwater.

15. Provide adequate maintenance for tracks, firebreaks and soil conservation earthworks.

16. Institute an adequate drought management strategy to ensure that drought leaves no legacy of long term soil or vegetation degradation.

17. Areas of streambank erosion caused by stock access should have stock excluded, and be fenced and planted to trees and perennial pastures. Stock are only to graze these areas when there is a need to reduce the fire hazard;

18. Do not remove trees or gravel from the beds or banks of rivers and creeks without consent from the appropriate authority. Under the Rivers and Foreshores Improvement Act 1948, Section 23A, the only removal of sand and gravel from within a stream permitted without a licence is of a small prescribed amount per annum, not being for sale but for use within the property from which it is taken. Murrumbidgee River and Sandy Creek are also prescribed streams under the Soil Conservation Act 1938, and a permit is required to destroy or damage any tree or sapling within 20 metres of the bed or banks of these streams.

Technical Advice: District Soil Conservationist, Wagga Wagga - erosion control measures. District Agronomist, W agga W agga - pasture and crop management. Department of Water Resources, Leeton - streambank erosion, stream obstructions.

3.8 Land Liable to Occasional Flooding

Lands of the Murrumbidgee flood plain and along parts of the lower course of Sandy Creek are liable to occasional flooding. This can cause problems such as:

• erosion of river and stream banks and flood channels - particularly where cultivation across floodways has occurred.

• deposition of flood debris, including sand and gravel across productive farm land

• damage to fences, roads, bridges and equipment such as pumps and pipes

• stock losses in floodwaters

• crop losses due to flooding

• isolation of areas of the property during flooding or because of flood damage to normal access 26

Recommendations:

• Paddocks in areas prone to flooding should be designed to avoid flood traps for stock and to allow for stock movement out of flooding areas under adverse conditions.

• Reduce risk of soil erosion damage by floods. Areas liable to flood should be maintained under a good ground cover during periods when flooding can be expected. Any ground disturbance for pasture renovation or crop establishment should be planned for low risk periods and should be minimal, preferably direct drilling. Areas subject to higher velocity flood flows should be maintained under permanent perennial pastures.

• Develop fencing that is less liable to flood damage (i.e. out of flood reach and running along rather than across flood flows as far as possible), or that is simple to reinstate after flood damage (where fences must cross flow lines).

• Develop and· maintain access facilities which can be safely used when needed and which have a low risk of damage in flood flows.

• Develop appropriate methods for weed control in flood prone areas.

• Use perennial pasture species that will thrive in areas liable to flooding (for soil protection and production and to reduce weed problems).

• Fence out areas of streambank erosion to allow regeneration or replanting of trees and other protective vegetation.

Technical Advice: District Soil Conservationist, Wagga Wagga Department of Water Resources, Leeton

3.9 Soil Salinity and Surface Salinisation

Surface salinisation has occurred in waterlogged areas where saline groundwaters reach the surface and salt has accumulated by evaporation. These areas have been mapped and are shown on the Soil Erosion map. They total 103 hectares in area.

Vegetation in salinised areas is degraded through a range of stages depending on the severity of the salting. These begin with smaller changes in plant vigour and species composition in early stages of salting, and range to complete baring of the soil in more severely affected areas.

Land badly affected by salt has little agricultural value - in fact, it can represent a cost, as action is needed to prevent its spread to adjoining, less affected areas. This involves fencing out stock from these badly affected areas and their surrounds to allow the promotion of revegetation. Less affected land, when used in accordance with its capabilities (which involves separate fencing) and established with salt tolerant plants, may produce some useful returns. 27

Recommendations:

Two different aspects of treatment are needed:

1. Treating the cause of the salinisation, that is the rising groundwater. This is essential for long term success, and is treated separately in Section 3.10 Rising Groundwater.

2. Treating the effects of salinisation, that is the salted areas. Treatment here should include:­

• fence off all outbreaks. Stock are to be strictly managed to ensure that ground cover is not depleted to less than 10 cm leaf length;

• if possible, fence at least 50 m away from the salt affected areas. This will accommodate any immediate expansion in salting and will enable a greater range of treatments around the salt sites;

• do not drain salty water from any site if the concentration of salt in the water exceeds-2.5 ds/m (slightly saline);

• install a series of piezometers to monitor changes in potentiometric levels with changes in cropping and pasture management practices;

• surface run-on water from the slopes above the discharge area should be diverted away to a safe disposal site;

• sow bare areas to salt tolerant grasses such as tall wheat grass or puccinellia. In outbreaks where salt concentrations are lower, strawberry clover can also be used;

• salt tolerant trees and shrubs can be planted within salt outbreaks (using soil mounding techniques) or above the salt outbreaks to help use some of the surplus water and to improve the appearance around the outbreak.

Technical Advice: ·District Soil Conservationist, Wagga Wagga Soil Salinity Officer, Wagga Wagga

3.10 Rising Groundwater

Groundwater is water collecting beneath the ground surface in saturated layers of soil, sand, gravel or fractured rock. It enters the soil (from rainfall, irrigation, seepages etc) and, not being used by plants or evaporated from the soil surface, percolates down to "recharge" the groundwater system. It can occur at considerable depths below the land surface. It moves under gravity through its defined catchment to points of escape to the surface in lower parts of its catchment. (There may be the sea, rivers, creeks, springs, seepage areas, etc).

Where groundwater flows under confining layers of rock or clay, it can develop pressures which may enable it to penetrate weaker points in these layers and force its way to the surface. Here waterlogging can occur and, where the water contains salts, these can accumulate at the surface. 28

Over the last century, changes in land management have been allowing more water to enter many of our groundwater systems. This has increased pressures in these systems. This has resulted in rising watertables and more widespread groundwater-caused waterlogging and salinity.

Managing land to reduce the amount of extra water reaching groundwater systems requires either that less water is allowed to enter the soil, or that more of that which enters the ·soil is used up before it percolates through to the groundwater. The first alternative (in effect increasing runoff) results also in lowered production, erosion and flooding - problems more devastating than salinity. This leaves the second alternative - using more soil water by promoting more plant growth- as the only practical course in most situations. Plant growth is the basis of all productive agricultural systems, so more plant growth - more production - should, properly managed, be able to equal more profit.

Recommendations:

1. Monitor the responses in groundwater pressures and watertable levels to changes in climate and land management. This involves the installation and regular monitoring of piezometers. These are small diameter bores drilled into groundwater systems to permit measurement of groundwater pressures. These should be located and installed with appropriate technical guidance, and be particularly concentrated around areas affected by high water tables and seepages.

2. Reduce recharge to groundwater systems by more effectively using plants to utilise soil water.

i) Trees:

• retain and allow regeneration of existing areas of trees and shrubs (fencing out as needed) • re-establish trees within areas of high groundwater recharge by planting, direct seeding or natural regeneration • utilise trees and understorey vegetation to stabilise deep gullies and water flowlines (fence where needed to promote full protective vegetative ground cover) • establish windbreaks and shelter belts for stock and crop protection • consider agroforestr-j' to combine the water use of trees into a viable farm enterprise • investigate the possibility of using bands of trees to intercept groundwater around areas with high water tables and salinity • restrict grazing on roads to encourage native tree and shrub regeneration • aim for full tree cover over at ieast 5% of catchment area

ii) Pastures:

• see Section 3.1 of this report "Establishing and Maintaining Perennial Pastures" for requirements for perennial pastures and guidelines for areas in which they should be established. • include deep rooted perennial species such as lucerne, cocksfoot or phalaris; 29

• fertilise improved annual pastures with superphosphate and molybdenum to increase establishment and production; • adjust stocking rates for improved and native perennial pastures to maintain more than 70% ground cover at all times; • graze pastures in a way to retain the most palatable species and to promote seed set; • ensure that deep rooted perennial pastures comprising either improved or native species cover at least 80% of the recharge zone each year; • avoid the set stocking of native grass areas throughout the year but heavily stock during the spring to early summer period to utilise production and reduce fire hazard. Remove stock in the mid summer period when seed is being set by the native grasses. Recommence grazing in late summer after seed set but do not graze paddocks bare; • wherever possible sow pastures by direct drilling techniques or by aerial sowing on steeper lands; , • remove stock from pastures when the soils are waterlogged; • grazing of water disposal areas, tree regeneration and plantation sites, and areas treated for soil erosion control should' be of short duration and only carried out to reduce a fire hazard;

iii) Crops - promote optimum plant growth (and so water use and production) by:

• selecting plant varieties to best suit conditions • weed, disease and pest control, including management of land in previous years • providing adequate plant nutrition, including fertiliser and lime as needed • optimum time of sowing - sow early where possible • appropriate crop rotations, including adequate pasture phases • attention to soil structure and drainage problems

3. Reduce recharge to groundwater systems by eliminating surface water retention in "leaky" soils, including;

• leaking dams • quarry areas which hold water • absorption-type contour banks and furrows

4. Utilise grpundwater as far as practicable in preference to surface water and creek flows for stock watering, irrigation (watering trees and gardens) etc. This can help to mechanically draw down water table levels.

Technical Advice: District Soil Conservationist, Wagga Wagga District Agronomist, Wagga Wagga for details on crop varieties, sowing rates and pasture management requirements Department of Water Resources, Leeton. 30

3.11 Surface Waterlogging

Surface waterlogging refers to waterlogging caused when water flows across the surface of the land and saturates the upper sections of the soil profile. It has been separated from waterlogging caused by rising groundwaters because different methods are used to control the two forms.

In the Uranquinty catchment, surface waterlogging and drainage problems occur on some of the lower sloping lands and drainage depressions during the autumn­ winter-spring months. Waterlogging stops landholders from being able to get onto these areas to prepare them for planting and creates boggy conditions for stock and vehicles.

Recommendations:

If land within Rural Land Capability Classes II and ill is to be cultivated:

• construct graded banks to stop water flowing onto these areas; • discharge the surface water into a stable drainage depression or drainage line, or into a constructed waterway, to prevent any soil erosion problems; • deep rip areas which have plough pans, to help improve water infiltration and root penetration into the subsoil.

If these areas are used for grazing:

• sow appropriate pasture species; • fertilise pastures to improve growth; • stock conservatively to maintain more than 70% ground cover and an effective transpiration capacity of the plants; • do not drain water from these areas if the salt concentrations in the water exceed 2.5 ds/m; • grazing stock are to be removed from the areas when the soil is saturated to prevent damage to the soil structure.

Technical Advice: District Soil Conservationist, Wagga Wagga -District Agronomist, Wagga W agga

3.12 Controlling Weeds, Pests and Fire

Weeds, rabbits and fire reduce potential pasture production and increase costs, while exacerbating erosion problems and flash flooding. They also hinder the establishment of pasture, crops and trees, degrade water supplies and generally reduce the health of the catchment.

Around areas of timber harbour, kangaroos can also cause considerable damage to fences, crops, pastures and tree re-establishment programs.

Recommendations:

Develop catchment-wide strategies in conjunction with neighbours and under the guidance of the relevant authorities for dealing with each of these problems, none of which respect property boundaries. 31

Technical Advice and Assistance:

District Agronomist, Wagga Wagga Livestock Officer (Agricultural Protection), NSW Agriculture Wagga Wagga Wagga Wagga Rural Land Protection Board Wagga Wagga City Council National Parks and Wildlife Service Forestry Commission of NSW

3.13 Drought Management

Refer to CaLM Technical Paper 1 Mana2in2 for Drou2ht by P J Walker for detailed guidelines in planning long term drought management strategies that will maintain protection of the land, that will be economically viable, and that will maintain the income producing base of the property. The following guidelines are reproduced from this paper. 32

"Guidelines for Drought Management in Mixed Farming ­ Grazing and Tablelands Zones"

Before drought During Drought

• Maintain a cash reserve • Monitor rainfall prospects • Monitor rainfall prospects • Monitor feed supply and groundcover levels • Monitor groundcover, feed supply, and • Monitor stock and fodder prices needs for coming months • Commence destocking according to plan • Monitor stock market prices .. Remove stock from erodible land types (e.g. • Monitor cost and availability of shallow soils, some granite soil, saline areas) agistment • Commence feeding well before pasture runs • Monitor _grain, hay and other fodder out prices • Prevent grass butts or lucerne from being • Continually assess mix of enterprises eaten into the ground • Stock so as to strike a balanc·e between • Maintain control of feral animals maximising profit and reducing damage • Protect water supplies to pastures and soils • Act to reduce stock diseases and suffering • Control feral and native animals and • Manage cash flow according to chosen weeds strategy • Identify genetically superior animals to • Keep stubble or other cover on cropping be retained in drought and categories of paddocks stock for staged destocking • Restrict or cease stocking of cultivated • Develop or set aside areas of drought­ paddocks resistant pastures • Keep soil surface in cropping paddocks in a • Identify land which should be destocked cloddy, uneven state first • Assess crop yield prospects • Determine special animal husbandry • Determine optimum use of already growing needs crops • Ensure water supplies are adequate • Defer further cultivation(except where • Set dates for staged destocking if rains required to roughen surface) fail • Reconsider crop or pasture sowing plans • Identify possibilities for irrigation to • Carry out emergency soil conservation produce feed or fodder measures where necessary • Produce or purchase and store fodder • Seek advice on technical matters, financial supplies matters, sources of assistance and, if • Assess crop rotation possibilities required, rural counselling. • Use reduced tillage and retain stubbles and other groundcover on cropping paddocks, in order to retain cropping options for as long as possible • Seek advice on technical matters, fmancial matters and sources of assistance.

After Drought

• Allow pastures (especially native perennials) to recover before restocking • Compare costs of breeding back with buying stock • Maintain feral animal control to prevent rebuilding of numbers and damage to new pasture growth • Control weeds resulting from imported fodder or stock • Watch out for poisonous plants • Spell paddocks used for intensive feeding • Rehabilitate eroded or otherwise damaged lands • Keep an eye out for germinating woody weed seedlings such as sifton bush. 33

3.14 Property Planning Issues

The application of catchment management strategies to the unique circumstances of individual properties and landholders requires the development of individual property management plans. These will facilitate paddock design and land use based on land capability, and should include designs for necessary erosion control measures, adequate water supply systems, provision for convenient and efficient access and stock movement, tree and shrub establishment for recharge control and shelter for animals, crops and working areas, areas for permanent pasture establishment, adequate fire protection, etc.

There are a number of ways to approach property planning. These include group workshops which efficiently utilise specialist assistance and facilitate the interchange of ideas between neighbours. The most appropriate group where dryland· salinity is a prime issue would include the landholders within an affected catchment. Property management plans can also be produced by specialist planners working in close consultation with individual landholders.

The District Soil Conservationist can advise on the most appropriate assistance for property planning.

3.15 Crown Lands

A general policy of Crown Land management is to retain and reserve those lands that are required or likely to be required, in the public interest. Major issues which generally comprise the public interest include:- community and public purpose, state development, infrastructure and development support, public recreation and tourism, natural and cultural resource protection, and continuous road networks for access and related purposes.

Of particular interest to landholders within this study area are Crown Lands that could be used for natural resource protection. In many areas the only remaining examples of remnant vegetation exist on Crown Lands. The protection of these remaining areas is important.

The total area of Crown Land in the Uranquinty catchment is 357 ha. The remainder is privately owned except for the Livingstone State Forest, the Kapooka Army Base, and the strips of land along the road corridors held by the Roads and Traffic Authority and Wagga Wagga City Council.

Crown Land is this area is as follows:

Crown roads reserves, 50.75 km (101.5 ha); Travelling Stock Reserves, 202.75 ha; Recreation Reserves, 21.25 ha; Trig Reserves, 5 ha; Cemetery reserve for planting trees, 6.5 ha; Reserves for Quarries, 9.5 ha. 34

The Landcare Group may wish to have a Crown Land assessment done by the Department of Conservation and Land Management to help determine possible future use and management of these areas and their importance in helping to control or treat land degradation, or in creating natural wildlife corridors through the area.

Areas within the catchment study area which may have some interest to a local landcare group are:­

• Quarry Reserve 49459 Parish of Yarragundry of approximately 4 hectares held under permissive Occupancy 1973/11 Wagga Wagga for grazing; • Portion 139 Parish of Yarragundry. Reserve 47905 from sale for Public Recreation notified 26 June 1912. Area may have been used for tree planting by school children some years ago; • Portion 160 Parish of Yarragundry Reserve 93846 for Future Public Requirements notified 17 October 1980 held under Special Lease 1957/51 Wagga Wagga for grazing to expire on 31 December 1998. • Crown road west of portion 153 and the road north of portion 130.

A more appropriate reservation for some of these lands could be reservations for Environmental Purposes (subject to the "Land Assessment Process").

Other areas of Crown Land within the study area may now be subject to changing demands for use, such as tree planting or revegetation as the preferred use. Assessment of these areas should be carried out to investigate the most suitable use and subsequent reservation.

Technical Advice: Department of Conservation and Land Management (Crown Lands Assessment staff)

3.16 Shire Roads

With the exception of the Sturt Highway and the Olympic Way, road corridors are held by Wagga W agga City Council. The trees and other vegetation along shire roads can serve as wildlife corridors for birds and native animals.

In addition, some stretches of road are being damaged by rising water tables, gully erosion and from sediment being deposited from eroding areas. Moreover, the roads can aggravate salinity problems by creating an impermeable barrier to the movement of shallow groundwaters. The groundwaters are impounded upslope of the road and can eventually rise to the surface. Salts are concentrated at the surface by evaporation.

Wagga Wagga City Council, the Roads and Traffic Authority and adjoining landholders should ensure that the management of these strips of land are consistent with the principles of groundwater management being adopted by the Landcare Group. 35

Recommendations:

• invite Wagga Wagga City Council and the Roads and Traffic Authority to participate in land management programs where land degradation problems have an effect upon the condition of the roads; • road verges should not be graded but left under native vegetation; • encourage tree and shrub regeneration along road verges by:

- preventing heavy grazing by travelling stock; - not spraying road verges except to control noxious weeds; - rehabilitating areas stripped for road maintenance purposes; - not burning more than one year in three to avoid killing young plants.

Technical Advice: District Soil Conservationist, Wagga Wagga 36

SECTION 4 REFERENCES AND ASSOCIATED INVESTIGATIONS

Soil Conservation Service NSW Land Capability Series 1:100,000 Wagga Wagga SCS 15683 (1982)

Soil Conservation Service NSW Soil Erosion Survev, 1:100,000 Wagga Wagga Sheet.

Central Mapping Authority ,NSW 1:25,000 Topograuhic Series Collingullie, Wagga Wagga, Uranquinty, Lake Albert, The Rock and Big Springs Sheets.

Dept. of Mines, Sydney 1:250,000 Geological Series Sheet S1 55-15 Wagga Wagga (1966)

Land Information Centre, NSW Aerial Photography, Film No NSW3757, Wagga Wagga (1990)

Soil Conservation Service NSW Detecting Drvland Salinity in the Riverina and South -Western Sloues of New South Wales. (1990)

Dept of Conservation and Land Managing for Drought ( 1992) Management

Soil Conservation Service NSW Detecting Soil Structure Decline (1991)

National Soil Conservation Benefits from Identifying and Treating Acid Soils Programme in the Crop Lands of Eastern Riverina and N.E. Victoria