2016-06-07 - P&E Agenda - Item 5, Attachment 1 - Agriculture and Agricultural Land Study

       Seasonal shift with rainfall increasing in winter but decreasing in other seasons;
       More intense rainfall events with increased potential for flooding
       An increase in the number of severe storm events
       An increased risk of large hail storms
       More frequent and longer lasting droughts
       Increased risk of bushfire

While this poses obvious threats to sustainable agriculture it may also present opportunities. For
instance it might improve the local prospects for production of tropical fruits that have traditionally
been grown further to the north.


3.7.2    Land Management
While agricultural activities have some level of impact on the natural resources relied upon for their
production, contemporary farming practices generally seek to minimise these impacts and advance
sustainability of the resource base. This means that where appropriate native vegetation is
retained, water resources are well managed, soils are protected from degradation and loss, and
the use of fertilisers, pesticides and other chemicals are minimised wherever possible.

Agriculture that relies on agricultural soils requires that the soil has suitable fertility, structure, water
holding capacity, drainage capacity, and sufficient depth. Some areas such as steep slopes may
be too erosion prone to sustain horticulture and are better left vegetated.

Horticulture production is generally limited to land where soil depth, structure and fertility are
suitable for cultivation of horticultural crops and the reliable source of irrigation water is available.
Annual crops such as vegetables and many cut flowers require soils suitable for regular cultivation.
Orchard developments (e.g. fruit or nut trees or olives) are suitable for a wider range of sites and
soil types including slopes.

Vegetation management is a critical component of sustainable agriculture, particularly in its
contribution to biodiversity, protection of soils and management of water tables. Ideally farmers will
locate farming production on the most suitable parts of their property while retaining native
vegetation on parts best suited for conservation.

There are numerous examples within the Shire where commercial agriculture occurs on a site also
registered as Land for Wildlife or with a Voluntary Conservation Agreement over parts of the site
with fencing separating cattle from bushland or wetlands.

Local assistance is available on optimum land management practices. As mentioned earlier,
Noosa & District Landcare works with landowners in areas of horticulture, vegetation management
and ecosystem restoration.


3.7.3    Land Area
The historical fragmentation of the rural areas has created a large number of smaller properties
which effectively rule out some uses but facilitate others. Various produce such as ginger,
strawberries, hydroponic vegetables and cut flowers can be grown quite profitably on small lots.

Traditional Queensland cattle grazing relies on very large land areas however case studies have
shown successful models of rearing smaller numbers of pasture fed beef cattle. This “boutique”
beef is increasingly popular with consumers and the local restaurant industry would potentially be
an ideal market.




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