Kingoonya Soil Conservation Board District Plan
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KINGOONYA SOIL CONSERVATION BOARD DISTRICT PLAN KINGOONYA SOIL CONSERVATION BOARD NOVEMBER 2002 Produced with the assistance of the National Landcare Program and Primary Industries and Resources SA ii FOREWORD In her foreword to our first District Plan in 1996, then Chairperson Kate Gibson wrote: “Through our District Plan the Kingoonya Soil Conservation Board (SCB) is providing a reference document to all interested people. This document, it is hoped, will provide all land users with information important for the continuance of viable and sustainable industries while maintaining and improving the natural vegetation and soils. The Board wishes to stress that the District Plan provides guidelines for sustainable land use and is not a document which imposes regulations. This District Plan will be reviewed every three years and will take into account changing and improved land management practices. As land users in this District, we have an interest in taking charge of our own destiny. It behoves us therefore, to inform, help and educate all land users to manage the land in a sustainable way and to appreciate the country of which we are the current custodians. We take this opportunity to remind land users that the duty of care for the land rests with them, and that it is crucial the land be used within its capability so that its productivity is maintained for use by future generations.” Our first edition will stand as a tribute to Kate, who contributed greatly to this District in many spheres. This first review should reflect and contribute to the increasing knowledge and understanding of the area. To this end, the land system descriptions, naming and mapping have been reviewed to provide a more accurate information base and to integrate with neighbouring Soil Board systems. Other information has of course been updated where necessary. Our Board has changed membership considerably over the years, but has always and still reflects a commitment to improving and growing our expertise in the prudent management of the District. I sincerely thank all who contributed to the first District Plan and to this document, especially Frank Badman who has done a huge amount of work while on the Board and since leaving the District, as a consultant. Keith Greenfield Chairman Kingoonya Soil Conservation Board. 2002 iii iv CONTENTS Foreword ...................................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgments..........................................................................................................................x Summary........................................................................................................................................1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................................3 The Kingoonya Soil Conservation Board....................................................................................3 Duty Of Care ...............................................................................................................................4 Legislation...............................................................................................................................4 The Role Of The Board................................................................................................................6 Aims Of The Board......................................................................................................................6 Aims Of The District Plan ...........................................................................................................7 Community Consultation.............................................................................................................7 Review .........................................................................................................................................7 Description of the District.............................................................................................................8 Introduction.................................................................................................................................8 Climate ......................................................................................................................................10 Climatic Controls ..................................................................................................................10 Winds ....................................................................................................................................11 Rainfall..................................................................................................................................11 Drought Years .......................................................................................................................12 Evaporation ...........................................................................................................................12 Growing Season ....................................................................................................................12 Temperature ..........................................................................................................................15 Frosts .....................................................................................................................................15 Sunshine Hours .....................................................................................................................15 Geology .....................................................................................................................................16 Land Systems.............................................................................................................................18 Water Resources........................................................................................................................21 Groundwater..........................................................................................................................21 Surface water.........................................................................................................................22 Natural Wetlands...................................................................................................................22 Water Supply Systems ..........................................................................................................22 Land Use ...................................................................................................................................24 Pastoral..................................................................................................................................24 Mining ...................................................................................................................................24 Government Installations ......................................................................................................24 Tourism .................................................................................................................................25 Native Title............................................................................................................................25 Value of Primary Production.................................................................................................25 v History Of The Kingoonya District ...........................................................................................25 Infrastructure And Services.......................................................................................................29 Transport ...............................................................................................................................29 Communications....................................................................................................................29 Medical Services ...................................................................................................................30 Power Generation..................................................................................................................31 Land Management ......................................................................................................................32 Rangeland Condition.................................................................................................................32 Land management and rehabilitation ....................................................................................34 Land Systems - Production Indicators And Constraints ...........................................................38 Rabbits.......................................................................................................................................49 Control...................................................................................................................................49 The Kingoonya Rabbit Control Group Exclosures ...............................................................50 Other Feral Animals..................................................................................................................52 Management and control.......................................................................................................52 Kangaroos .................................................................................................................................52