DRO 4 Natural resources - dlgrma.qld.gov.au · DRO 4 Natural resources Regional natural resource...

South East Queensland State of the Region Technical Report 2008 163

DRO 4 Natural resources Regional natural resource and rural production areas are protected, enhanced and used sustainably.

Access to extractive resources

Rate of extractive resource production

Fisheries resources

Land condition

Area of grazing lands

Area of good quality agricultural land

Bare ground

Acid sulfate soils

Natural resources include natural assets such as land, fresh and marine waters, air, forests, minerals and extractive materials, native animals and plants. They underpin the region’s major economic activities, supporting a diverse range of industries that rely on the quality and accessibility of these resources. Natural resources also provide lifestyle and economic benefits to the region through outdoor recreation, ecotourism and related activities.

Contemporary thinking in natural resource management has evolved from regarding the natural environment as a set of discrete natural resources or assets to be exploited individually, to the more holistic concept of ecosystem services. Ecosystem services provide a framework that links access to both natural resources and services (such as clean air and water, food and recreational opportunities upon which the population depends), to protection and enhancement of the supporting ecosystems.

Population expansion in SEQ has created a demand for land for urban development (including associated infrastructure such as transport and service corridors) and ‘small lot’ rural-type living. Change in the balance of land between urban and agricultural uses is cause for concern because it threatens the viability of industries dependent on agricultural land. This change also reduces lifestyle quality and other benefits provided by agricultural land to the broader community.

Land that is most vulnerable and where the effect of this change is greatest is grazing land in small lots and good quality agricultural land. The Queensland Land Use Mapping Program found that in 1999, pasture lands occupied 803 330 ha of the region of which 34 290 ha were in lots of less than 5 ha. Good-quality agricultural land occupied 376 480 ha of the region of which 44 010 ha were in lots of less than 5 ha.

Long-term use of land at levels beyond its capability or for purposes for which it is unsuited leads to degradation. In SEQ, pressure for this is created by factors such as loss of agricultural land (as identified above), which increases demands on land remaining in production, decline in terms of trade for farming, loss of experienced land managers, and the recent extended drought.

Groundcover vegetation protects soil from erosion and the long-term trend in the proportion of ground covered is an accepted indicator of land condition. Satellite-based monitoring of groundcover in SEQ has found that 9430 ha of grazing land consistently have less than 40% cover, the level below which research has identified it is likely to suffer degradation.

The region’s coastal resources support a significant commercial and recreational fishing industry. Overall commercial and recreational fish catches are decreasing due to a decline in commercial fishing effort and lower participation rates in recreational fishing. The Fisheries Act 1994, Fisheries Regulation 2008 and Fisheries Management Plans manage fishing pressure in a particular fishery in accordance with the principles of ecologically sustainable development. Declared Fish Habitat Areas have been effective in protecting inshore and estuarine fish habitats that are important for sustaining local and regional fisheries.


Access to extractive resources Areal extent of extractive resource with statutory protection

Interpretation

Status assessment

Amber

Where do we want to be?

The objective is to protect and ensure future access to sufficient extractive resources to supply construction material to the SEQ region for the next 50 years.

What is happening?

Some extractive resources in SEQ, particularly those associated with existing quarry operations, have had some level of statutory protection under local government planning schemes. However, this protection has rarely addressed the issue of encroachment of incompatible land use, and consequently there has been a history of resource sterilization and in some cases forced closure of extractive operations even though valuable resources remain.

For resources without development approval, statutory protection has been rare and ephemeral with undeveloped resources subject to a range of competing planning and development pressures. The area of protected extractive resources prior to the advent of the SEQ Regional Plan has never been quantified and the validity of such a measurement would be questionable owing to wide variation in the ‘degree of protection’.

State Planning Policy 2/07: Protection of Extractive Resources (SPP2/07), which commenced in September 2007, provides both a ‘standard’ against which ‘statutory protection’ can be judged, and the spatial data on which this indicator can be based. In 2007, 49 km2 of hardrock and 43 km2 of sand and gravel resources was protected (Table 4.1). The 2007 data for this indicator therefore represents a baseline. Nevertheless, in qualitative terms, there is no doubt that the commencement of SPP2/07 represents a large increase in the value of this indicator.

Protection of further resources, if they exist, will depend on their inclusion in future iterations of SPP2/07 and on equivalent protection of additional resources in local government planning schemes. Thus, as long as the opportunity remains to identify and protect additional resources, the areal extent of protected resources can be expected to show a gradual decline over time due to resource extraction, interspersed with sporadic sharp rises linked to updating of statutory planning instruments.

Why is it happening?

Access to resources is becoming increasingly difficult as the location of viable resources is constrained firstly by geological factors, which means these resources are finite; secondly by existing environmental, social and planning constraints that further limit their availability; and thirdly by transport-related costs and externalities that impose the need for resources to be extracted close to their markets.

The establishment of a statutory protection mechanism via SPP2/07 is a deliberate government response to the recognised problem of resource sterilisation by encroachment of incompatible development. In periods of statutory inaction, decline in area of resources protected can be expected to continue due to ongoing resource extraction, and some resource sterilisation due to overriding land use demands.

Why is it important?

Extractive resources are the primary source of construction aggregates vital for the SEQ region’s continued development. Extractive resources include sand, gravel, quarry rock, soil and loam used for road bases, concrete, asphalt and a range of other products. They are essential to our way of life as they are the raw materials for building our homes, hospitals, schools and factories, as well as the supporting infrastructure, such as roads, railways, water supply and sewerage systems.

SEQ is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia and high population growth coupled with growing community expectations is creating pressure for the extractive industry to supply increasing volumes of construction aggregates for


housing and infrastructure projects. Based on a 5-year moving average, the annual production of construction aggregates in SEQ has grown from 21.4 Mt in 2002 to 26.0 Mt in 2007, a 22% increase.

Increasing protection of extractive resources is important because the region has a history of planning failure in terms of resource sterilisation, land use pressures are continuing to increase, and currently available resources are insufficient to meet the needs of the community in the medium to long term.

What does it mean for sustainability?

The identification and protection of resources facilitates the improved stewardship of the region’s extractive resource endowment. This contributes to sustainability in the following ways:

It ensures access to resources that underpin the economic development required to safeguard the welfare of future generations.

Enhanced individual and community wellbeing will also accrue from improved planning to reduce the social impacts of extractive resource development.

By reducing the wastage caused by resource sterilisation, it contributes to intergenerational equity.

By protecting resources close to markets it helps to reduce construction costs, thereby contributing to equity within generations.

Intra-generational equity is also served by the greater transparency in decision making associated with planning for resource protection.

By minimising transportation distances, transport-related environmental externalities such as greenhouse gas emissions are reduced, thus contributing to maintenance of biological diversity and essential ecological processes.

Although there is no previous quantitative measure of extractive resource protection, there is no doubt that the adoption of SPP2/07 represents a major increase, and thus a significant positive step in sustainability terms.

Society’s response

The problems of resource sterilisation and social conflict associated with encroachment of incompatible development on existing quarries, established transport routes and undeveloped resources is well-recognised, along with the need for these problems to be addressed through statutory planning processes.

Some resource sites have been accorded a level of protection through the local government planning process. However, the quality, permanency and comprehensiveness of this protection has not been consistent across jurisdictions. The preferred solution to this was identified to be a State Planning Policy under the Integrated Planning Act 1997. Hence SPP2/07 was developed, taking effect in September 2007. Almost half of the regionally significant resources included in the policy are located within the SEQ region.

The outcome sought by SPP2/07 is ‘to identify those extractive resources of state or regional significance where extractive industry development is appropriate in principle, and protect those resources from developments that might prevent or severely constrain current or future extraction when the need for the resource arises’.

SPP2/07 is consistent with the SEQ Regional Plan, which aims to identify and protect extractive resources for potential future extraction, including protection of associated transport corridors. The SEQ Regional Plan relies on the SPP to provide the detailed basis for achieving this aim. The requirements of SPP2/07 will be progressively incorporated into local government planning schemes as they are made or amended.

Data

Table 4.1: Total resource area No. of protected resources

Resource type Resource area (km2)

27 hardrock 48.52

20 sand and gravel 43.45

Indicator author

Art Pagaduan, Department of Mines and Energy


Related indicators

Rate of extractive resource production

Source dataset

SPP 2/07 resource/processing area spatial map data (DME custodian)

References

Queensland Government, 2007. State Planning Policy 2/07: Protection of Extractive Resources. Queensland Government, Brisbane.


Rate of extractive resource production Annual per capita production of extractive materials

Interpretation

Status assessment

Amber


The objective is for an overall downward trend in the annual per capita consumption of extractive materials to a point where this indicator is at or below the national average. However, this indicator is not a direct measure of sustainability, and increased use of construction aggregates may be associated with more sustainable outcomes for other factors. For example, an increase in concrete construction may be associated with a denser urban form, and the use of concrete in place of steel and timber may be a net positive in sustainability terms.

What is happening?

Over the 16-year reporting period for this indicator, the per capita production rate has fluctuated between 8 t/yr and 11 t/yr but has maintained an overall neutral trend (Figure 4.1). Hence since 1991, the SEQ production per capita rate has averaged approximately 9.5 t/yr. In comparison, according to the Institute of Quarrying Australia, the national average for per capita consumption is around 7 t/yr.


The per capita production rate is considered to be linked to population growth, with associated new development generating higher demand for materials than maintenance and enhancement of existing development. The rate is also influenced by the level of local economic activity, and associated building and infrastructure investment. There are specific factors that may explain the fluctuation in per capita production for construction aggregates. Current high demand is attributed to the vigorous infrastructure development program associated with the SEQ Infrastructure Plan and Program 2007–2026. Some previous peaks can also be readily explained by major infrastructure projects, for example, high demand in 2000 relates to the major upgrade of the Pacific Motorway.

Upward pressure on this indicator also results from an increase in average size of dwellings, which generates greater demand for construction materials. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics (2005) new residential buildings, both houses and other dwellings (such as flats, units, semi-detached houses and townhouses) have increased in size over the past 18 years. In Queensland, the average floor area of new houses in 2002–03 was 233 m2 compared to 155 m2 in 1984–85. Although data specific to the SEQ region is not available, a similar trend is considered likely. Upward pressure can also be attributed to a decrease in the average household occupancy and this decrease is predicted to continue. The SEQ Regional Plan reports that, from an average of 2.6 in 2001, the number of people per household in SEQ is expected to decline to 2.45 by 2011 and 2.29 by 2026.

The neutral trend in per capita production over the last 16 years indicates that there are also downward pressures on this indicator. Such factors may include increasing urban density as a result of sustained population growth and constrained land supply, increasing importation of construction aggregates from areas outside of the SEQ region, and increasing use of development by-products such as sand from basement excavations in coastal areas and recycling of demolition waste. Neither of these products is captured in this indicator.


Extractive resources include sand, gravel, quarry rock, soil and loam used for road bases, concrete, asphalt and a range of other products. They are essential to our way of life as they are the raw materials for building our homes, hospitals, schools and factories, as well as community infrastructure, such as roads, railways, water supply and sewerage systems.

High per capita production will significantly shorten the life of available resources in the SEQ market area. Transport of construction aggregates from more distant sites will sharply increase costs and generate increased transport-related environmental and social impacts.


The impact on resources is amplified by the region’s strong population growth. According to the Office of Economic and Statistical Research (OESR) the population of SEQ in 2006 was 2.8 million. Population projection predicts a rise to about 3.8 million by 2026, and 6.3 million by 2055.


The relatively high per capita rate of production of extractive resources adversely impacts sustainability by more rapidly depleting finite resources. Social and environmental impacts also tend to accrue at a higher rate than would be the case if consumption was lowered. The neutral trend in this indicator, when considered in the context of a relatively high production level, suggests that there is scope for a stronger community response.

Provided the construction aggregates currently being produced are efficiently and effectively used, the current production of extractive resources contribute to sustainability by:

contributing to the economic development required to safeguard the welfare of future generations

prolonging resource life through minimising wastage, thereby contributing to intergenerational equity

prolonging production from resources close to markets, which helps to reduce construction costs, thereby contributing to equity within generations;

minimising the total amount of transportation reduces transport-related environmental externalities such as greenhouse gas emissions, thus contributing to maintenance of biological diversity and essential ecological processes.


The rate of production of extractive resources has not received significant recognition as an issue warranting a direct response. Downward pressures on this indicator are mostly related to society’s response to other more pressing needs.

Recycling of construction aggregates is increasing as more demolition and construction waste is recovered, primarily driven by the cost of dumping to landfill. However, recycling currently equates to only a very small proportion of total resource production and, as the supply of demolition waste is small, has limited potential to impact on this indicator.

Planning measures, such as the SEQ Regional Plan, that lead to increased development density are the most likely societal responses to produce an improvement in this indicator in the short to medium term. The efficiency of infrastructure use associated with a denser urban form leads to a reduced demand for construction aggregates.

Community pressure for higher quality of construction and reduced maintenance down-time for infrastructure tends to consume more extractive resources initially but may pay dividends in the medium to long term by deferring the need for replacement, thereby reducing demand on resources.

Data

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

1991

1993

1995

1997

1999

2001

2003

2005

2007

(p)

Per

cap

ita

pro

du

ctio

n (

t)

(p) Preliminary f igure Figure 4.1: Per capita production of all aggregates in SEQ, 1991–2007


Indicator author

Art Pagaduan, Department of Mines and Energy

Related indicators

Access to extractive resources

Source dataset

Extractive resource production data was sourced from the Department of Mines and Energy’s QROCK database. Production statistics are provided annually on a voluntary and confidential basis by extractive industry operators.

The Moreton and Brisbane Statistical Division population data from 1991 to 1995 was sourced from Planning Information and Forecasting Unit (2001).

Toowoomba’s estimated resident population from 1991 to 1995 was sourced from Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006a).

SEQ region’s estimated resident population (including Toowoomba Local Government Area) from 1996 to 2006 was sourced from Australian Bureau of Statistics (2006b).

References

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2005. Year Book Australia 2005, Cat no.1301.0, viewed 10 March 2008, <www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/46d1bc47ac9d0c7bca256c470025ff87/1a79e7ae231704f8ca256f720082feb9!OpenDocument>

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006a. Historical Australian Population Statistics - Table 17. Population, major population centres, 30 June, 1911 onwards, Cat no. 3105.0.65.001, viewed 10 March 2008, <www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/0/86F1151B25E953BCCA2571760022C4C0/$File/3105065001_table17.xls>

Australian Bureau of Statistics 2006b. Regional Population Growth 1996 to 2006, Cat. no. 3218.0, viewed 10 March 2008, <www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/[email protected]/Lookup/3218.0Main+Features11996%20to%202006?OpenDocument>

Office of Urban Management 2005. South East Queensland Regional Plan 2005–2026, Queensland Government, Brisbane.

Planning Information and Forecasting Unit 2006. Queensland’s Future Population 2006 Edition Summary. Department of Local Government Sport & Recreation, viewed 19 March 2008, <www.localgovernment.qld.gov.au/?id=4035>

Planning Information and Forecasting Unit 2001. Population Trends and Prospects for Queensland. Queensland Department of Local Government & Planning, Brisbane.


Fisheries resources Mean annual estimates of fin fish, prawn, crab and bug, and cephalopod commercial, recreational and charter catch, effort and catch rates; and water quality in and classification of oyster growing areas

Interpretation

Status assessment

Green


Maintain harvest of inshore fish species at current (sustainable) levels

What is happening?

Types of fish resources

Subtropical inshore marine and estuarine fish resources are those that most people who live in SEQ would be familiar with. Finfish such as tailor, mullet and bream, prawns, crabs and squid are harvested by commercial, recreational and charter fishers in SEQ coastal waters. The Queensland Government ensures that these resources are accessible to the public through responsive management regimes that contribute to the sustainable development of these resources. The centre-piece of SEQ inshore fisheries is Moreton Bay—a highly diverse and productive marine ecosystem that dominates the coastline and the fisheries catch of the region.

Commercial catch and catch rate

The SEQ region produces a significant percentage of Queensland’s commercial landings of fish resources (Table 4.2). From 1997 to 2006, the total annual commercial harvest and combined species catch rate fluctuated around 5600 tonnes and 114 kg per boat day (Figure 4.2). A persistent drought during the 1990s is a likely cause of falling catch rates until 2000. Restricting trawl fishing access to Moreton Bay under the Fisheries (East Coast Trawl) Management Plan (the Trawl Plan) in 1999, and shifting effort to grounds south of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (GBRMP) are probable contributing factors to increasing harvest and catch rates of fishery resources in general and prawns in particular from 2000 to 2006 (Figure 4.2 and Figure 4.3). There was a notable increase in catch and catch rate of the total commercial harvest in 2001 (Figure 4.2).

Subsequent to 2001, there has been an increase in prawn catch rates while annual landings have been variable (Figure 4.3). At the same time, trawl effort has decreased, especially in Moreton Bay where trawl effort decreased by 13% between 2001 and 2006. This is probably associated with the restructure of the trawl fleet with fewer, more efficient trawlers operating in recent years. In addition, patterns in rainfall and stream flow and access to supporting habitats during critical periods in the life cycle of prawns are other significant factors that influence catch levels and the effort that fishers are prepared to invest to secure a financial return.

Commercial crab (blue swimmer, mud and spanner crabs) and bug (Moreton Bay and Balmain bugs) harvest and catch rates follow a similar trend to prawns from 1997 to 2002 before catches stabilised in 2003 and then declined in 2005–2006 (Figure 4.4). From 2003, the catch rate follows the same pattern as annual landings but with a one-year time delay, indicating that lower catches may have led to a reduction in effort and a subsequent declining catch rate. The composition of this catch category is dominated by blue swimmer crabs (50% of total crab and bug landings) and spanner crabs (36% of total crab and bug landings).

Trends in annual landings and the catch rate for the category are strongly influenced by landings and catch rates of these species. The introduction of a more restrictive in-possession limit for blue swimmer crabs taken as by-product by trawlers is likely to be a contributing factor to a decline in blue swimmer crab landings and catch rate. Since 2000, catch and effort has declined in the spanner crab fishery, but catch rate has increased slightly <www.dpi.qld.gov.au/extra/pdf/fishweb/ASR-SpannerCrab-2007LR.pdf>. This is partly related to fewer operators holding quota and increased efficiency of fishing operations.

From 1997 to 2006, landings of cephalopods (squid, octopus and cuttlefish) have been variable (Figure 4.5). The composition of this catch category is dominated by squid (80% of total cephalopod landings). Trends in annual landings and the catch rate for the category are strongly influenced by squid landings and catch rates. Squid are more susceptible to capture in trawls when they aggregate for spawning during the rainy season in northern and eastern Moreton Bay


(Dunning, 2002). The higher landings in 1997 were preceded by a relatively wet summer in 1996–97 compared to the prolonged drought conditions that prevailed from 1991 to 1995. A similar pattern also exists, albeit to a lesser extent for the high level of landings taken in 1998, when the long El Niño that had influenced much of eastern Australia from 1991 to 1998 finally weakened. The low levels of landings in 1999 are probably related to the persistent rainfall that fell through that year.

While squid spawning is cued to summer rainfall, they avoid highly turbid water discharged by coastal streams. An increase in the turbidity of Moreton Bay water may have been a factor in a change in aggregating behaviour leading to lower catches. From November 1999, the introduction of the Trawl Plan and logbook amendments required squid landings to be reported as a principal catch category. This has increased squid catch reporting as reflected in the increasing level of landings from 2000 to 2005 (Figure 4.5). In 2006, squid landings declined, again during an extended dry period from March 2002 until July 2007.

From 1997 to 2006, overall inshore finfish landings and catch rates have decreased (Figure 4.6). From 1997 to 1999, annual landings were steady at nearly 3000 tonnes with catch rate increasing. In 2000, landings and catch rate declined, but landings returned to the 3000 t level again in 2001 with catch rate also increasing markedly by 70% to 150 kg/day, before again declining in 2002. In subsequent years, landings and catch rates have stabilised at around 2200 t and 90 kg per day respectively.

The composition of this catch category is dominated by mullet species (about 60% of total landings). Other species taken in substantial quantities are whiting (about 15% of total landings) and bream and tailor (when combined make up about 10% of total landings) and an assortment of other species including trevally, baitfish, flathead and shark making up the remaining 15%. Trends in the annual inshore finfish landings and the catch rate for the category are strongly influenced by mullet landings and catch rates.

The potential size of the mullet resource is influenced by availability of suitable inshore habitat during their juvenile development. Dam infrastructure and ongoing coastal development are impediments to mullet accessing upstream and natural estuarine habitats. This impacts the level of recruitment of fish to the fishery and their subsequent availability to harvest. A recent quantitative assessment of the mullet resource has raised concerns about recruitment in the mullet fishery in 2001 and 2002 and its flow on effects in subsequent years (Bell et al. 2005). A revised assessment to determine whether an impact on the mullet resource has been realised is proposed for 2008–09.

Commercial fishing effort

From 1997 to 2006, the average annual number of commercial fishing days where catch was reported was about 49 000 days. This was made up of 45% trawl days, 35% pot/trap days, 15% net days and 5% line days. Overall effort has declined during this period and in 2006 was about 80% of the 1997 level. The strongest influence on this declining trend has been from the trawl fishery, while effort in the net and pot/trap fisheries have been variable and line effort has steadily increased since 2001.

Recreational catch

The recreational catch of all fish species combined in SEQ remained steady from 1997 to 2005. While total catch estimates varied by up to 20% between years (Figure 4.7), they are within expectations for the magnitude of the experimental error associated with the method used to collect the data. This is also the case for the annual catch estimates for the individual species that make up the combined species estimates. The ratio of number of fish harvested to the number captured and released has also varied little between years, with no trend evident.

Recreational fishing participation

Recreational fishing participation surveys reveal a decrease in the number of anglers who had fished in SEQ in the previous 12 months from 518,300 in 1996 to 432,000 in 2004. This trend is consistent with declining participation in recreational fishing throughout Queensland (Table 4.3). The decline appears to be related to growth in Queensland’s population, meaning that the actual numbers of anglers have not changed dramatically. The percentage of population participating in recreational fishing in SEQ is slightly lower than the whole of Queensland because SEQ has a higher rate of population increase than the rest of the state.

Charter catch

Annual total catch in SEQ charter fishing operations steadily increased from 1997 to 2002. Total catch increased sharply by 50% in 2003, and has varied between 80 and 100 tonnes since (Figure 4.8). From 1997 to 2002, the percentage of catch released was relatively stable at around one-third of the total catch. Since 2002, the percentage of catch released has been decreasing (Figure 4.8).


Charter effort

The number of charter boats operating in SEQ waters increased from 1997 to 2003 and has since declined (Figure 4.9). Since 2000, fishing effort has followed the same general pattern.

Water quality in oyster growing areas

In Queensland, oysters grow in a range of marine and estuarine environments and are commercially harvested from licensed aquaculture areas. The water quality of these oyster growing areas varies in accordance with the level and type of pollution sources in that area. Queensland Shellfish Water Assurance Monitoring Program (QSWAMP) monitors bacteriological, phytoplankton and heavy metal concentrations in both seawater and oyster meat samples collected from key sites within the Pumicestone Passage, Pimpama River, Moreton Island and North Stradbroke Island oyster harvest areas. The current sampling program, previously undertaken by DPI&F, is now successfully executed by industry with DPI&F administrative management. Each shellfish harvesting area must be given only one of the following classifications, which are reviewed annually:

approved

conditional approved

restricted

conditional restricted

prohibited.

The overall classification for the four oyster growing areas had not changed between 2007 and the previous reporting period (Table 4.4).


Similar to other coastal regions, fishing in SEQ targets species inhabiting both estuarine and marine environments. Harvesting of fish, crabs, prawns, squid, scallops and bugs throughout Queensland is undertaken mainly by the commercial or recreational sectors. Many other factors also place pressure on fish resource populations. These include climatic effects, changes in habitat quality and availability, and pollution. Population increases in coastal areas and subsequent coastal development can also lead to habitat degradation and loss. These pressures place direct and indirect effects on fish resources that may be obvious at a local scale but are difficult to quantify in terms of impact on fish resource populations.

Commercial fishing

The decline in trawl effort has been attributed to a number of causes including high fuel prices, low product value due to the high exchange rate of the Australian dollar and competition with cheaper imported products, labour shortages, drought conditions and regulation changes at the state and Commonwealth levels. Effort in the net and crab fisheries has historically been variable and is often dependent on natural fluctuations in inshore fin fish and crab abundances, which are closely linked to environmental cues such as rainfall.

Recreational fishing

Data from the 2004 recreational fisher telephone survey indicated a declining trend in recreational fishing participation. DPI&F conducted a follow up survey of fishers who, exiting the recreational fisher diary program, revealed multiple causes contributing to lower participation in recreational fishing (Figure 4.10). Since November 2007, the Recreational Fishing Catch Reporting Program has comprised two elements—a south Queensland (including Moreton Bay) boat ramp survey, and a statewide diary component. It is hoped that information obtained from these sources will provide insight into the significance of these reductions in recreational fishing participation, including the reasons behind it.

Charter fishing

Charter fishers operating in waters greater than two metres deep are required to hold a charter fishing licence and provide logbook records of catch and effort to DPI&F. As part of the transition to a new licensing system in 2006, a small number of charter operators who operate in freshwater, or in shallow inshore areas that are less than two metres, are no longer required to hold a licence or report catch and effort. This may have had a minor impact on the level of catch and effort reported in the charter fishery.



Fish resources in inshore marine and estuarine waters of SEQ appear to be sustainable at the current level of harvesting. However, this does not mean that individual species are not vulnerable to overfishing or that there are no risks to their sustainability status or that these will not emerge in the future. While the Queensland Government’s ecosystem-based fishery management strategies and habitat protection policies provide a solid framework for long-term sustainability of marine and estuarine fish resources, regular assessment and monitoring of the status of these resources will ensure that the government is alert to possible threats to sustainability as they arise. This is important because timely management is critical to minimising the risk that an identified threat will have unsustainable impacts upon these resources.

The performance of a fishery or fish resources can be one of a range of indicators of the status and health of an inshore (marine and estuarine) ecosystem. Other indicators such as water quality and habitat quality, habitat extent and availability are also key aspects of marine and estuarine ecosystem health upon which fish resources depend for food, shelter, and normal growth and reproduction. The status of water quality and habitat can exert a powerful influence on the size and structure of populations of fish resources. In addition the capacity of the ecosystem to sustain fish resource populations and to regenerate following natural disturbances such as floods, storms or pollution events is likely to be adversely affected where sub-optimal environmental conditions exist.

Commercial fishing

The harvest from SEQ contributes significantly to the economic value of the commercial fishing industry. In 2006, the Queensland commercial fishing industry contributed approximately $185 million in Gross Value of Product across Queensland. An estimated $85 million of this came from fisheries in SEQ. Commercial fisheries in SEQ also provide local affordable seafood to community and the tourism and restaurant trade.

Recreational fishing

Currently DPI&F is conducting a recreational fishing survey at a regional level in SEQ to provide catch, effort and participation information that can be used to assess the status of SEQ fish resources and the contribution that recreational fishers are making to their sustainable use. The proposed Moreton Bay Marine Park rezoning is expected to have an impact on recreational (and commercial) fishing at some locations and may become a factor in assessing the status of SEQ fish resources and their future management. DPI&F understand that EPA have proposed that DPI&F work collaboratively with CSIRO to undertake an extensive recreational survey of Moreton Bay and the effects of rezoning on recreational fisheries.

Charter fishing

The increasing percentages of retained catch and decreasing released catch in charter fishery operations since 2002 (Figure 4.8), may in part be due to recuperating part of the cost associated with charter fishing experience or alternatively an increasing tendency to retain legal catch that has been injured during capture and unlikely to survive.


Commercial fisheries in SEQ and Queensland in general are being managed in a sustainable manner. Some concern exists about the sustainability of snapper harvesting in the southern Queensland Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery (Queensland SoER, 2007). While there is some inshore harvesting of juvenile snapper (squire), the mainstay of the adult snapper stock occurs around offshore reefs where most of the fishing occurs. An increased minimum size limit and reduction in the recreational bag limit were introduced in 2003 to reduce threats on snapper from overfishing. DPI&F is assessing further legislative and policy approaches to ensure snapper and other rocky reef fish resources are managed for sustainable outcomes. Further information is available in the Rocky Reef Fin Fish Fishery 2007 Annual Status Report <www.dpi.qld.gov.au/extra/pdf/fishweb/AnnualStatusReport2007-RockyReefFinFish-20Mar08.pdf>.

Fishery assessments (including quantitative stock assessments) are regularly undertaken for key commercial target species on a regular basis. Recommendations from these assessments help inform management arrangements. For example, the stock assessment for tailor found that the stock is heavily exploited and recommended that the size limit be increased to provide additional protection to one year old fish. An increase in the minimum size limit for tailor has been proposed through a Regulatory Impact Statement for the East Coast Inshore Fin Fish Fishery.

Limited information is available about the status of populations of non-commercial marine and estuarine species, but this knowledge gap is being filled through a research partnership between Queensland and Commonwealth government scientists and SEQ and Northern NSW natural resource management (NRM) bodies collaborating to better understand the diversity and abundance of marine biological resources inhabiting the seabed in the Tweed–Moreton bioregion. The


status of Indigenous fish catches is uncertain for SEQ, but considered to be minimal. This paper focuses on those fishery resources that are accessed by commercial, recreational and charter fishers in SEQ.

The optimum sustainable harvest level of many of Queensland’s fisheries or fish stocks is difficult to determine because of the natural variability of fish stocks as well as the environmental effects of human population pressures on the adjacent coast and the flow-on effects from them, which are hard to quantify. Data needed to undertake modelling of a fish resource include information about climate, fishery habitat, fisher behaviour, fish behaviour and fish biology.

DPI&F is in the process of developing Performance Measurement Systems for each of its fisheries that will allow for key performance indicators to be monitored over time and trigger a review of the current management arrangements. This will help ensure that the sustainability of key stocks in SEQ is closely monitored.


Ecosystem Based Fisheries Management (EBFM) is ensconced in Australian fisheries. This means that as in other Australian State and territories, the Queensland Government is dealing with the aggregate management of all fisheries related activities within ecosystems or bioregions over which it has jurisdiction. This recognises that any fisheries agency can directly manage only ‘fisheries-related’ activities (that is, what is covered by their Act/Legislation) (<www.fisheries-esd.com>).

EBFM requires the integrated management of all fishing activities within a region, to ensure that the cumulative impacts and allocation among sectors are adequately managed to assist in achieving ecologically sustainable development (ESD) for the region (<www.fisheries-esd.com>). Recent assessments of resource status for major species have taken into account catches from recreational and commercial fishers and catches from other states where stocks are shared with other jurisdictions (for example, tailor and sea mullet). Impacts of fishing on the ecosystem are also receiving greater attention, and recently developed performance measurement systems for fisheries include indicators and reference points relating to impacts on bycatch and the seabed.

DPI&F is responsible for managing the state’s fish, mollusc and crustacean species. Monitoring of trends in the status of fisheries resources is used to assess the effectiveness of fisheries management strategies and contributes to ensuring that fisheries remain ecologically sustainable.

Daily commercial fishery catch and effort data are provided by fishers and incorporated into the DPI&F CFISH database: <www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb/2984.html>.

Recreational catch and participation information is collected regularly through the DPI&F RFISH program: <www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb/16303.html>.

DPI&F regulates commercial fishing effort through a licensing system. In addition, the government has placed controls through management plans on certain fisheries in the form of regularly reviewed catch quotas or effort units (the number of ‘fishing days’ allocated per year to each east coast trawl fisher).

Recreational fishing is managed through size and bag limits on major species and fishing gear restrictions. Extensive spatial and seasonal closures to fishing take place in Queensland coastal waters, either through fisheries legislation or through marine parks zoning.

The Queensland Government is increasing its capacity to obtain relevant information about fish stocks and the fisheries they support to enhance their sustainability. Data are regularly collected from fishery-dependent and fishery- independent sources, including:

daily logbook returns from all commercial fishing boats, documenting target and by-product species and species of conservation interest

regular recreational fisher surveys

a statewide observer program that monitors the composition and quantity of the catch and bycatch

a long-term monitoring program collecting fishery independent data for scientific assessment of key species.

DPI&F initiated the Statewide Long-Term Monitoring Program (LTMP) in 1999, in response to a need to collect additional data for the assessment of Queensland’s fisheries resources. For more information, refer to: <www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fisheriesmonitoringprogram>.


Fish resources inhabiting inshore marine and estuarine waters of SEQ currently monitored in the LTMP include mud crabs, spanner crabs, stout whiting, mullet and tailor spotted mackerel. The LTMP data provide biological parameters for the resource assessments that cannot be obtained from commercial catch-effort logbook data or angler diaries.

Stock assessment models have been developed for a number of SEQ fish resources: stout whiting, snapper, mullet, tailor, eastern king prawns, banana prawns and spotted mackerel. Risk assessments have been undertaken for various shark species. In some cases, management strategy evaluations have also been carried out. For further information, visit: <www.dpi.qld.gov.au/far/>.

DPI&F is developing performance measurement systems (PMSs) for many of its fisheries. A PMS is a key component of enhanced management arrangements by providing a set of transparent and verifiable measures against which DPI&F can assess and report on the performance of the fishery and demonstrate its sustainability. Through the continuing process of collecting and analysing monitoring data, incorporating these data into regular assessments and developing management responses to resource concerns, DPI&F is demonstrating that Queensland’s fisheries resources are being managed on a sustainable basis.

A concerted effort by planners, developers, infrastructure providers, commercial and recreational fishers and the public is required over the long term to minimise sustainability risks to the integrity of fish resources, fish habitats and their supporting ecosystems. This will ensure that there is a plentiful supply of locally sourced fish and other seafood for the community to enjoy into the future.

Data

Table 4.2: Estimated contribution of SEQ to whole of Queensland commercial landings of each resource type in 2006 Fisheries resource Percentage of Queensland

landings

Prawns 30

Crabs and bugs 10

Squid, cuttlefish and octopus 70

Inshore fin fish 25

Table 4.3: Residents participating in recreational fishing both in QUEENSLAND and SEQ Year Percentage (and numbers) of Queensland residents

participating in recreational fishing Percentage (and numbers) of SEQ residents

participating in recreational fishing

1996 28.1% (882,000) 25.9% (518,300)

1998 26.1% (848,100) 24.2% (510,300)

2001 24.6% (851,000) 21.1% (471,100)

2004 20.6% (733,400) 18.4% (432,000)


Table 4.4: Classification of oyster growing areas in SEQ Region for the 2007 reporting year Oyster growing

area Classification Justification

Moreton Island Approved There has been little or no change to the physical characteristics to this catchment since the previous annual report in 2007. The results support the continuance of the ‘Approved’ classification. Bacteriological, heavy metal and phytoplankton analyses are all within the guidelines as outlined in the ASQAP Operations Manual. Growing area impacts from contaminants are minimal and this is not expected to change in the near future.

Pumicestone Passage

Conditionally Approved (Pumicestone Passage) and Conditionally Restricted (Ningi and Elimbah Creeks)

There has been little or no change to the physical characteristics to this catchment since the comprehensive sanitary survey in December 2002. Bacteriological, heavy metal and biotoxin analyses are all within the guidelines as outlined in the ASQAP Operations Manual. Growing area impacts from contaminants are minimal and this is not expected to change in the near future.

Pimpama River Conditionally Approved There has been little or no change to the physical characteristics to this catchment since the comprehensive sanitary survey in December 2002. Bacteriological, heavy metal and biotoxin analyses are all within the guidelines as outlined in the ASQAP Operations Manual. Amendments to the sewage provisions of the Transport Operations (Marine Pollution) Act 1995 have not had a significant influence on bacterial loadings as this growing area. The surrounding waters are widely used by recreational and commercial fishers and recreational boaters.

North Stradbroke Island

Approved There has been little or no change to the physical characteristics of the growing areas since the previous annual report in 2007 for the 2006/07 harvest periods. Bacteriological, heavy metal and biotoxin analyses are all within the guidelines as outlined in the ASQAP Operations Manual. Results clearly substantiate impacts to growing areas from sanitary contaminants are minimal and this is not expected to change in the near future. Studies clearly show that effluent from the major Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) for the Brisbane region have minimal impacts on the eastern bay. Areas adjacent to the North Stradbroke Island have minimal levels of nitrogen derived from sewage impact.

Figure 4.2: Total commercial harvest, 1997 to 2006


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Figure 4.3: Commercial prawn harvest

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Figure 4.4: Commercial crab and bug harvest

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Figure 4.5: Commercial cephalopod harvest


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Figure 4.6: Commercial fin fish harvest

12.7 13.69.1

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Figure 4.7: Recreational fish harvest and releases

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Figure 4.8: Charter fish harvest and releases


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Figure 4.9: Charter fishing effort

Lack of time 27%

Loss of interest 15%

Poor fishing quality 14%

Lack of access 12%

Lack of companions 7%

No equipment 5%

Physical inability 4%

Cost 4%

Weather 4%

Lack of knowledge or skill 3%

Other 3%

Why did you stop fishing?

Figure 4.10: Results of the DPI&F recreational fishing exit survey, 2004

Indicator author

Brad Zeller, Assessment and Monitoring Unit, Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries

With assistance from: Michelle Winning, Lew Williams, Kate Yeomans, Terry Healy, Kara Dew, Claire Andersen, Fiona Hill, and John Kung, DPI&F.

Related indicators

Population growth, Freshwater, estuarine and marine water quality, Climate change trends, Emissions to water

Other data and links

<www.dpi.qld.gov.au/extra/pdf/fishweb/statusreport_eastcoasttrawlfishery_summary.pdf>


<www.dpi.qld.gov.au/extra/pdf/fishweb/AnnualStatusReport-EastCoast-InshoreFinFishFishery-2007-31Mar08.pdf>

<www.dpi.qld.gov.au/extra/pdf/fishweb/ASR-SpannerCrab-2007LR.pdf>

<www.dpi.qld.gov.au/fishweb/18767.html>

<www.dpi.qld.gov.au/extra/pdf/fishweb/AnnualStatusReport-QldMudCrabFishery-2007.pdf>

<www.dpi.qld.gov.au/extra/pdf/fishweb/StatusReport-BlueSwimmerCrabFishery-2007-FullReport.pdf>

<AnnualStatusReport2007-RockyReefFinFish-20Mar08.pdf>

<www.fisheries-esd.com/c/what/what0400.cfm>

SoER Qld 2007

Source dataset

DPI&F is the agency responsible for collection, management, analysis and dissemination of data from the following sources:

Commercial fisher logbooks

Recreational fisher surveys and diaries

Charter fisher logbooks

Fishing licences.

Information on water quality in oyster growing areas was obtained from the Queensland Shellfish Water Assurance Monitoring Program Annual Reports 2008 for the following locations: Moreton Island, Pumicestone Passage, Pimpama River, and North Stradbroke Island Oyster Growing Areas

References

Bell, P.A.; O’Neill, M.F.; Leigh, G.M.; Courtney A.J. & Peel, S.A. 2005. Stock assessment of the Queensland–New South Wales sea Mullet Fishery (Mugil cephalus). Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries, Brisbane.

Dunning, M. C. 2002. Squid. In: L.E. Williams (ed). Queensland’s Fisheries Resources. Current condition and recent trends 1988–2000. Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.

Queensland Government 2006. SEQ State of the Region Sustainability Indicators Baseline Review 2005–2006. Queensland Government, Brisbane.

EPA 2008. State of the Environment Queensland 2007. Queensland Government, Brisbane.


Land condition Land is used within its capability

Interpretation

Status assessment

Amber


Our goal is that rural production in SEQ remains viable and is not degrading our resources.

What is happening?

Rural production is occasionally conducted on unsuitable lands, resulting in uneconomic crop yields, and excessive damage to machinery or loss of productive lands through degradation of our natural resources. Assessment of the suitability of land for particular production uses assists in identifying the best locations for particular activities and appropriate management regimes that minimise negative impacts on land condition.

Land suitability data are only available for restricted areas in SEQ. A ‘whole of region’ assessment is not available to assess if current land uses are conducted on lands according to its capability.


The economic return from grazing and cropping enterprises is decreasing due to increased production costs, placing pressure on producers to obtain as much production from the land as possible. Also, population expansion in SEQ has artificially increased land valuations further hindering economic rural production. These economic pressures can lead to unsustainable management systems.


Cropping and grazing lands in SEQ supports the whole community for food, employment, scenic amenity and ecosystem services. Degradation of our natural resources and uneconomic rural land uses potentially threatens these services.


A healthy, happy and capable community is an essential component in a sustainable society. The ability of the SEQ region to continue to produce food locally will become increasingly important as transport and food prices rise.


Retention of viable and sustainable production systems in close vicinity to population centres are to the benefit of the whole community. Rural producers are becoming more aware of best management practices that incorporate sustainable management systems.

Data

Land suitability data are only available for restricted areas in SEQ. A ‘whole of region’ assessment is not available to assess if current land uses are conducted on lands according to its capability.

Indicator author

Peter Wilson, Department of Natural Resources and Water

Related indicators

Bare ground, Acid sulfate soils, Rural economy



Queensland land uses mapping program (QLUMP) <www.nrw.qld.gov.au/science/lump/>

<www.nrw.qld.gov.au/science/lump/classification.html>

Source dataset

Queensland land use mapping (QLUMP) and land suitability data from specific surveys.


Area of grazing lands Area of grazing lands on lots greater than 5 ha

Interpretation

Status assessment

Amber


Our goal is that rural production (grazing) in SEQ remains viable and is not alienated or fragmented. Lots less than 5 ha are readily available for alienation. Therefore, the areas under grazing (that is not good quality agricultural land) and lot size are used as indicators.

What is happening?

Rural lands are under pressure from alternative land uses, particularly non-rural, resulting in loss of productive grazing lands. Pasture lands that are not Good Quality Agricultural Land (GQAL) usually do not change to other rural land uses because they are often unsuitable or marginal for other rural land uses such as cropping or horticulture. Change to other land uses is usually associated with alienation through conversion to non-rural uses such as rural residential living.

As the area of grazing on GQAL can change due to many reasons including diversification to other rural uses, the area of pasture lands on GQAL is considered in the GQAL indicator. Land use mapping (QLUMP data) indicates that in 1999, pasture lands (not GQAL) occupied 803,330 ha on 49,240 lots, of which 34,290 ha was on 30,735 lots less than 5 ha (Figure 4.11).

Small lots (less than 5 ha) cover only 4.3% of the grazing lands (not including GQAL) but represent 62% of all grazing lots. The remaining area (lots greater than 5 ha) has an average lot size of 42 ha, indicating that a significant proportion of grazing lands in SEQ can be alienated from productive grazing production and be used for small lot rural living.

The main areas of pasture lands on small lots occur in the near peri-urban areas of the Sunshine Coast, west of Ipswich, Caboolture area and north east/east of Beaudesert. The next census can identify the change in area alienated from productive grazing lands.


While urban development is confined to the urban footprint, population expansion in SEQ has created a demand for urban development and small lot rural type living, resulting in the loss of cropping lands to non-productive rural land uses and conflict between rural land users and incompatible uses. Fragmentation of rural areas decreases economic returns and increases production costs, further placing pressure on producers to sell land for alternative land uses. Development in rural areas has also artificially increased land valuations further hindering economic rural production.


Grazing lands in SEQ supports the whole community for food, employment, scenic amenity and ecosystem services. Loss of these lands to non-productive land uses potentially threatens these services and increases conflict between incompatible uses.




The SEQ Regional Plan limits urban development to the Urban Footprint. However, rural lands that are not GQAL are under pressure for development or small rural lot subdivision for rural residential living. Single dwellings are permitted to be built on land designated as Rural Living or Regional Landscape and Rural Production. Smaller scale grazing enterprises resulting from a loss of land to development or fragmentation is decreasing economic returns and increased production costs, further placing pressure on grazing producers to sell lands for alternative land uses.


Data

Figure 4.11: Area of pasture lands (not GQAL) with lots greater than 5 ha


Indicator author


Related indicators

Area of good quality agricultural land (GQAL), Rural economy



Australian land use and management (ALUM) classification <www.nrw.qld.gov.au/science/lump/classification.html>

Source dataset

Queensland land uses mapping program (QLUMP 1999) and DCDB


Area of good quality agricultural land Area of good quality agricultural land (GQAL) with lots greater than 5 ha

Interpretation

Status assessment

Amber


Our goal is that rural production in SEQ remains viable and is not alienated or fragmented. Lots less than 5 ha are readily available for alienation. Therefore, the areas of GQAL and lot size are used as indicators.

What is happening?

Cropping lands are under pressure from alternative land uses, particularly non-rural, resulting in loss of productive cropping lands.

The map indicates that GQAL occupies 376,480 ha on 51,880 lots of which 44,010 ha is on 34,050 lots less than 5 ha (Figure 4.12).

Small lots (less than 5 ha) cover 11.7% of the GQAL but represent 66% of all lots. The remaining area (lots greater than 5 ha) has an average lot size of 19 ha, indicating that a significant proportion of GQAL in SEQ can be alienated from productive crop production and be used for small lot rural living.

The main areas of GQAL on small lots occur in the near peri-urban areas of the Sunshine Coast, Rocky Point and north east of Beaudesert. The areas quoted for GQAL can support a wide range of rural land uses. For example, some of these lands are pasture lands of which some lots are less than 5 ha. The next census can identify the change in area alienated from GQAL.


While urban development is confined to the urban footprint, population expansion in SEQ has created a demand for urban development and small lot rural type living, resulting in the loss of cropping lands to non-productive rural land uses and conflict between rural land users and incompatible uses. Fragmentation of rural areas decreases economic returns and increases production costs, further placing pressure on producers to sell land for alternative land uses. Development in rural areas has also artificially increased land valuations further hindering economic rural production.


Cropping lands in SEQ supports the whole community for food, employment, scenic amenity and ecosystem services. Loss of these lands to non-productive land uses potentially threatens these services and increases conflict between incompatible uses.




Retention of viable productive cropping lands in close vicinity to population centres are to the benefit of the whole community. The SEQ Regional Plan recognises the need to retain GQAL, and that productive cropping land should not be developed unless there is an over riding benefit to the community.

While urban development is confined to the Urban Footprint, cropping lands are under pressure for development while small rural lots are readily available for rural type living. Smaller scale cropping enterprises resulting from a loss of land to development or fragmentation is decreasing economic returns and increased production costs, further placing pressure on producers to sell lands for alternative land uses.


Data

Figure 4.12: Area of good quality agricultural lands on lots greater than 5 ha


Indicator author


Related indicators

Area of grazing lands, Rural economy


Good quality agricultural land <www.nrw.qld.gov.au/land/planning/agricultural.html>

Source dataset

GQAL mapping and Digital Cadastral Database


Bare ground A measure of the level of ground cover (bare ground) in SEQ pasture lands as an indicator of sustainable land management and soil health

Interpretation

Status assessment

Green: 1.6% of pasture lands have an undesirable ground cover level of less than 40%


Our goal is that grazing lands in SEQ remain productive and soils remain healthy.

What is happening?

Over grazing results in loss of ground cover that directly affects productivity of grazing systems, and indirectly affects soil health through the loss of organic matter, reduced nutrient recycling and increased soil physical disorders. This in turn affects erosion processes that deliver sediment and nutrients to water ways.

Ground cover can not be monitored when foliage cover from trees is greater than 20%. The areas of remnant tree vegetation or vegetated pasture lands (partially cleared/thinned vegetation) with foliage cover greater than 20% is 460,230 ha.

The area under pastures (QLUMP 1999) is 1,030,180 ha, of which 460,230 ha has a foliage cover greater than 20%, leaving 570,550 ha of pasture lands with a ground cover greater than 40%. A total of 9430 ha or 1.6% of all pasture lands (not including vegetated pasture lands) has an undesirable ground cover of less than 40% (Figure 4.13).

Pasture systems aim to have a 30% utilisation of the previous year’s growth to maintain long-term productivity. This is based on a critical ground cover of greater than 40% in grazing lands to limit erosion to low levels (McIvor et al. 1995, and Ciesiolka 1987). Adequate cover is essential to protect the surface from rain drop impact that detaches soil particles, increase water retention by reducing flow rates, and maintains biological processes and surface infiltration and therefore maintaining pasture productivity.


The economic return from grazing enterprises is decreasing due to increased production costs, placing pressure on producers to obtain as much production from the land as possible. Also, recent drought conditions limits pasture growth. These economic and environmental pressures can lead to unsustainable management systems such as over grazing.


Grazing lands in SEQ supports the whole community for food, employment, scenic amenity and ecosystem services. Degradation of our natural resources and uneconomic rural land uses potentially threatens these services.




Retention of viable and sustainable productive grazing lands in close vicinity to population centres is to the benefit of the whole community. Rural producers are becoming more aware of best management practices, which incorporate sustainable management systems.


Data

Figure 4.13: Pasture lands with ground cover less than 40%


Indicator author


Related indicators

Land condition, Acid sulfate soils, Rural economy, Area of grazing lands




Remnant vegetation <www.nrw.qld.gov.au/land/ass/index.html>

Australian land cover mapping <nlwra.gov.au/library/scripts/objectifyMedia.aspx?file=pdf/100/91.pdf&siteID=9&str_title=LandcoverProceedings%20-%20secure.pdf>

Source dataset

Queensland land use mapping (QLUMP), remnant vegetation (regional ecosystems) and ground cover

References

Ciesiolka C. 1987. Catchment Management in the Nogoa Watershed. Queensland Department of Primary Industries Publication, AWRC Research project 80/128

Mclvor, J.G.; Williams, J. & Gardener, C.J. 1995. Pasture management influences run-off and soil movement in the semi-arid Tropics. Aust. J. Exp. Agric. 35:55–65.


Acid sulfate soils A measure of the area of ASS/PASS that is disturbed and supporting unsuitable agricultural land uses

Interpretation

Status assessment

Amber


Our goal is that ASS/PASS is used to its capability and development does not cause environmental harm.

What is happening?

Acid sulfate soils (ASS) or potential acid sulfate soils (PASS) is the common name given to soils and sediments containing iron sulfides, the most common being pyrite. When exposed to air due to drainage or disturbance, these soils produce sulfuric acid, often releasing toxic quantities of iron, aluminium and heavy metals. Areas containing ASS/PASS may therefore be considered unsuitable for development, or may require careful management to prevent the release of contaminants during disturbance of the soil. ASS/PASS are commonly found in land less than five metres above sea level. Acid sulfate soils are used extensively for coastal development, due mainly to their location close to the coast. Some areas of ASS/PASS are used for cropping or other agricultural uses. ASS/PASS requires good management to avoid the release of sulfuric acid and other harmful contaminants

Acid sulfate soils are used extensively for coastal development, due mainly to their close proximity to the coast and associated coastal lifestyle. Occasionally they are used for cropping or other agricultural uses. ASS/PASS requires good management to avoid the release of sulfuric acid and other soil/water contaminants that harm the natural environment.

ASS mapping attribute data (depth to pyretic material and depth to pH <4) and the land suitability framework developed for SEQ have been used to identify areas unsuitable or marginal for agricultural land uses.

ASS mapping at various scales is available for most of SEQ, but is not available for the sand islands, including Bribie Island. However, detailed ASS/PASS mapping is available for only part of SEQ, including Maroochy–Caloundra and Gold Coast–Rocky Point. These detailed mapping areas are the only areas that allow suitability analysis for rural land uses.

The data indicates that the total area of ASS/PASS in SEQ is 78,025 ha of which 8870 ha (11.3%) is under native vegetation (undeveloped). In the developed ASS/PASS area, 303 ha is under forestry; 3690 ha under pastures; 12,345 ha under cropping and 32,715 ha (42%) under urban related activities. A total of 20,105 ha are miscellaneous land uses including wetlands and conservation areas. In the detailed mapping areas of Maroochy–Caloundra and Gold Coast–Rocky Point, 3980 ha (32%) are unsuitable for cropping (Figure 4.15) due to severe ASS/PASS limitations and 1190 ha (32%) are unsuitable for pastures (Figure 4.16).


ASS/PASS wet coastal soils usually have limited agricultural potential due to waterlogging; drainage infrastructure is necessary to overcome this. Lower rural productivity can also result from the release of acid and associated contaminants.

Urban development of coastal areas often requires the drainage and disturbance of ASS/PASS, resulting in environmental degradation if not managed appropriately. Development needs to be planned in accordance to level of risk.


When exposed to air as a result of drainage or disturbance, acid sulfate soils (ASS) produce sulfuric acid, and often release toxic quantities of iron, aluminium and heavy metals. This can have major environmental, health, engineering, and economic effects.

In most cases involving ASS, high intensity rainfall after long dry periods triggers localised mobilisation of acid. In aquatic environments (especially estuarine) this can:

kill fish, crustaceans, annelid worms, shellfish and oysters

cause fish diseases


change aquatic plant communities.

In ASS areas, developments such as large scale drainage and flood mitigation schemes can lead to widespread acidification of land, lakes and streams and subsequent economic losses to other industries.

In some cases, large coastal developments have been stalled or abandoned; millions of dollars worth of oysters, prawns and fish have been destroyed; fish-breeding areas have been decimated, and infrastructure has had to be replaced due to acid attack.


The environmental, health and infrastructure impacts from the inappropriate development or management of ASS/PASS result in unnecessary costs and environmental degradation.


The best way to manage ASS/PASS is to leave it undisturbed. Where development of coastal land is considered necessary, appropriate management to reduce acid run-off is required. Technical advice and guidelines available for this purpose include:

maps of acid sulfate soils

education programs

environmental codes of practice for industry

technical guidelines on sampling, laboratory analysis and managing ASS.


Data

Figure 4.14: Area of Acid Sulfate Soils with native vegetation


Figure 4.15: Areas of unsuitable cropping lands due to severe ASS/PASS limitation


Figure 4.16: Areas of unsuitable pasture lands due to severe ASS/PASS limitation


Indicator author


Related indicators

Land condition




Acid sulfate soils <www.nrw.qld.gov.au/land/ass/index.html>

Remnant vegetation <www.nrw.qld.gov.au/land/ass/index.html>

Source dataset

Acid sulfate soils mapping in SEQ, Queensland land use mapping (QLUMP) and land suitability data from specific surveys

Acid Sulfate Soils

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