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

5. Land Evaluation Schemes
It is not the intention of this study to test and analyse the soil of Noosa Shire. This has been done
by both local and state government in the past and is not likely to have changed considerably over
time albeit that scientific research and modelling tools may have advanced, and there are still gaps
in data.


5.1        Early 1990s
In 1990 when the State first released Planning Guidelines for the Identification of Good Quality
Agricultural Land, it relied on a system of classification whereby:

       Class A = Crop land - Land that is suitable for current and potential crops with limitations to
       production which range from none to moderate levels.

       Class B = Limited crop land - Land that is marginal for current and potential crops due to
       severe limitations; and suitable for pastures. Engineering and/or agronomic improvements
       may be required before the land is considered suitable for cropping.

       Class C = Pasture land - Land that is suitable only for improved or native pastures due to
       limitations which preclude continuous cultivation for crop production; but some areas may
       tolerate a short period of ground disturbance for pasture establishment.

       Class D = Non-agricultural land - Land not suitable for agricultural uses due to extreme
       limitations. This may be undisturbed land with significant habitat, conservation and/or
       catchment values or land that may be unsuitable because of very steep slopes, shallow
       soils, rock outcrop or poor drainage.

Class A land was always considered good quality agricultural land but Classes B and C lands
might also be considered good quality agricultural land dependent on the local circumstances and
prevailing agricultural industries.


5.2        Previous Noosa Planning Studies
Prior to 1995 there was little soils data available for Noosa Shire at a suitable scale for strategic
agricultural assessment to be undertaken. Two Noosa Council planning studies were carried out to
correct this. The Geology & Soils of Noosa Shire contained an assessment of agricultural suitability
(specifically for horticulture). Having consideration to soil type including rockiness, soil depth and
wetness it judged land as falling within one of the following categories:

           Suitable for all horticultural uses

           Suitable for orchard crops, but may be marginal for annual crops

           May be marginal to unsuitable for horticultural use, but further testing required

           Unlikely to be suitable for horticultural use

The map of this analysis is reproduced as Figure 1. It suggests the most suitable land is
concentrated around Pomona, Ringtail Creek, Cooroy and Cooroy Mountain, as well as in the
valleys to the north and west of the Shire.




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