QNRME04098 LandLLandLaanndd RResourcesRResourceseessoouurrcceess BulletinBBulletinBuulllleettiinn LandLand ResourcesResources ofof thethe MiriamMiriam ValeVale andand KolanKolan ShiresShires T E Donnollan, T R Wetherall and S C Griffiths 276 Land Resources of the Miriam Vale and Kolan Shires TE Donnollan, TR Wetherall and SC Griffiths Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy Queensland 2004 ii QNRME04098 ISSN 1327-5863 This publication is for general distribution. The information in this report is derived from 1:250 000 scale land resource mapping which is an adequate scale for regional planning purposes. In assessing individual applications for subdivision a detailed assessment of land resources is usually necessary. Explicit evaluation of economic factors such as the size of production units or crop viability have not been included in the land capability assessment as they are not considered relevant to the quality of the land resource (State Planning Policy 1/92). This report is intended to provide information only on the subject under review. There are limitations inherent in land resource studies, such as accuracy in relation to map scale and assumptions regarding socio-economic factors for land evaluation. Readers are advised against relying solely on the information contained therein. Before acting on the information conveyed in this report, readers should be satisfied they have received adequate information and advice subject to their enquiry. While all care has been taken in the preparation of this report neither the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy nor its officers or staff accepts any responsibility for any loss or damage that may result in any inaccuracy or omission in the information contained herein. This publication was prepared by officers of the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy. It may be distributed to other interested individuals and organisations. National Heritage Trust provided funding for this project and this support is gratefully acknowledged. © State of Queensland, Department of Natural Resources, Mines & Energy 2004 Department of Natural Resources, Mines & Energy Locked Bag 40 Coorparoo DC Qld 4151 iii TABLE OF CONTENTS List of figures iv List of tables iv List of photographs v Summary vi 1. Introduction 1 2. Survey methods 3 Land system nomenclature 4 Land Units 4 3. Physical resources 5 Climate 5 Geology 8 Land systems 9 Vegetation 16 Landform and drainage 17 Soils 20 4. Land capability 31 Introduction 31 Limitations 31 Land capability classes 36 5. Land uses 38 Current land uses 38 Production 39 6. Land degradation 43 Erosion 43 Salinity 43 Tree and scrub regrowth 44 Pasture degradation 44 Waterlogging 44 Acid sulfate soils 45 References 46 Acknowledgements 48 iv Appendices I Land unit descriptions 49 II Common names of the major native plant species of the area 147 III Summary of fertility attributes for the bulk surface samples 148 IV Summary of the soil chemical attributes of the analysed subsoils 151 V Dominant and subdominant land capability classes of the mapping units for the Miriam Vale and Kolan shires 154 VI Correlation between soil classifications 157 VII List of adjoining surveys to Land Resources of the Miriam Vale and Kolan Shires 159 List of figures Figure 1. Location of study area 2 Figure 2. Mean monthly rainfall for stations in the Miriam Vale and Kolan Shires: Miriam Vale, Gin Gin, Rosedale and Bororen 6 Figure 3. Mean monthly maximum and minimum temperatures for stations in and adjacent to the Miriam Vale and Kolan shires: Kalpowar, Bustard Head, Bulburin Forestry and Town of 1770 7 Figure 4. Major rivers and creeks of the Miriam Vale and Kolan area 19 List of tables Table 1. Average daily pan evaporation (mm/day) for stations Kalpowar, Bustard Head and Bulburin Forestry 8 Table 2. A brief description of the soil orders of the Australian Soil Classification 20 Table 3. Major and minor soils of the seven subdivisions of the land systems 21 Table 4. A description of the eight land capability classes used in classifying land in the Miriam Vale–Kolan Shires 32 Table 5. A brief description of the diagnostic attributes used to determine the Limitation subclasses 33 Table 6. Areas of the dominant and subdominant land capability classes for the Miriam Vale- Kolan Shires 36 Table 7. Area (ha) and numbers of lots (where appropriate) of the current land uses (1999–2000) of the Miriam Vale and Kolan Shires 38 Table 8. Production for the major enterprises and livestock numbers for the Kolan and Miriam Vale Shires between 1987–1997 40 v List of photos Photo 1. Some of the soils in the area have high levels of exchangeable sodium and magnesium with resultant very low permeabilities 13 Photo 2. Soil erosion has occurred on the lower slopes and drainage lines of some areas especially on sodic duplex soils 13 Photo 3. The cleared undulating low hills to rolling low hills of land system Miriam Vale 4 are valuable grazing lands 14 Photo 4. Deep, red, coarse textured uniform soils occur on land system Wreckrock 14 Photo 5. Citrus production has increased in the Kolan Shire as younger orchards come into production 41 Photo 6. Beef cattle production on native and improved pastures is an important industry of the area 41 Photo 7. Irrigated pastures are an important source of fodder for the dairy industry 42 Photo 8. Over 8 000 ha of eucalypt plantations have been established in the area recently 42 Accompanying maps in back pocket of report Land systems of the Miriam Vale and Kolan Shires NRM&E Ref. No. 2004-MVK-B-A0-5508 Land Capability Classes of the Miriam Vale and Kolan Shires NRM&E Ref. No. 2004-MVK-B-A1-5509 available on request or on CD with report Land Use of the Kolan Shire NRM&E Ref. No. 2004-MVK-B-A0-5323 Land Use of the Miriam Vale Shire NRM&E Ref. No. 2004-MVK-B-A0-5324 vi Summary Land resource assessment involving the description and mapping of land systems over 615 307 ha has been completed in the Kolan and Miriam Vale shires. Land systems or areas throughout which there is a recurring pattern of topography, soils and vegetation were mapped at 1:250 000. Within each land system component land units were described in terms of soils, landform attributes and vegetation. Land capability classes ranging from class III to VIII as well as the limitations which affect the use of the land are also given for each land unit. Fifty land systems were identified and 255 mapping units are shown on the land system map which accompanies this report. A land capability map showing the dominant and subdominant land classes was produced for the 255 mapping units. A land use map was produced for each shire to capture the distribution of the major land uses at 1999–2000. This information will assist in strategic and regional planning, resource management, environmental impact assessment, development control, infrastructure planning and nature conservation for all levels of government, industry and catchment management groups. It will assist landcare groups in developing suitable management strategies to avoid or reduce degradation, which includes salinity and erosion. This land resource information is available in electronic format (Geographical Information System, GIS), printed maps and this report. A database which includes information on each mapping unit is attached to the GIS. Information for the 364 land units is also available. These databases allow for rapid data manipulation and provide flexibility in the presentation of information such as maps, tables and specific enquiries for a wide range of uses and clients. The digital data as well as hard copies of other maps are available from the Department of Natural Resources, Mines & Energy in Bundaberg. The area was divided into seven broad geological groups including: (1) alluvial landscapes; (2) deeply weathered basic volcanic rocks; (3) basic and intermediate intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks; (4) acid to intermediate volcanic rocks; (5) acid to intermediate intrusive rocks; (6) sedimentary rocks; and (7) metamorphic rocks. Most land systems support a eucalypt community. Vine forest covers one land system and smaller proportions of three other land systems. The major landform patterns of the area varies from plains in the east to hills and mountains in the west. Modal slopes vary from level (<1%) on the alluvial plains to steep slopes (32–56%) on the hills and mountains. Soils vary considerably throughout the area due mainly to the wide range of rock types, age of the landscapes and landforms. Uniform coarse textured soils are prominent on the alluvial landscapes along the coast and the upper landscape positions of the acid igneous rocks. Non cracking clays and gradational soils are common on the basic and intermediate extrusive and intrusive igneous rocks, on some alluvial land systems and some land systems on acid to intermediate volcanic rocks. Sodic duplex soils are the dominant soils of the sedimentary rocks and metamorphic rocks while smaller proportions of these soils occur on the alluvial landscapes, the acid to intermediate igneous rocks and the acid to intermediate volcanic rocks. Cracking clays, although not extensive, occur on two of the alluvial landscapes and the basic and intermediate intrusive and extrusive igneous rocks. Shallow soils are common on the crests and upper slopes of land systems with mountains and steep hills. Acid sulfate soils occur on the coastal wetlands along the northern coastline and the creek and river estuaries. The two shires have 6524 residential and rural blocks that are <20 ha. National Parks and Reserves occupy 25 049 ha while State Forestry reserves occupy 75 460 ha. The sugar industry is an important industry in south east of the Kolan Shire. Substantial areas of eucalypt and paulownia plantations are established in the two shires and their area is increasing.