Land
Land condition varies considerably across Queensland, and is influenced by geological, climatic, land use and biotic factors. Key issues include the clearance of deep-rooted vegetation, salinity, acidification, soil erosion, soil compaction and fertility decline, and the impacts of invasive species. In particular:
- In 2002, Queensland had 1 137 600 km² of leasehold land (a 1.4% fall since 1997); 340 700 km² of freehold land (an 18.8% increase); 108 560 km² of freeholding leases (a 33.5% fall); 71 130 km² in the protected area estate (a 2.7% increase); 42 390 km² of state forests and timber reserves (a 0.4% fall); and 26 620 km² of other state land (a 127.3% increase).
- The area of land under crop ranged between 26 840 km² in 1997.98 and 31 300 km² in 2000.01, in response to climate and market factors.
- Queensland has 46 million ha of forested land: 61% is leasehold land; 20% is privately owned; 8% is public forests; 7% is conservation reserves; and 4% is other public lands.
- Between 1995 and 2002, 6986 ha of good quality agricultural land in south-east Queensland was converted to other uses.
- Land clearing peaked at 757 800 ha in 1999-2000; 94.5% of the land cleared in that year was converted to pasture.
- Total livestock numbers were in the range of 11.12 million adult beef equivalents in the period 1999.2002.
- Mining and petroleum tenements cover 41.7 million hectares. Approximately 87 400 ha of land has been disturbed by mining and petroleum activities (13 190 ha since 1999), with 29 800 ha of that land rehabilitated (6750 ha since 1999).
- In 2002, 107 000 ha of land was identified as saline; another 3 100 000 ha has the potential to be saline by 2050.
- Salinity in 2050 may affect 2 600 000 ha of agricultural land, 92 000 ha of remnant vegetation, and 26 000 ha of Ramsar-listed and other important wetlands. It may also affect 1800 km of waterways, 12 000 km of roads and 15 000 km of railways.
- Watertable levels rose rapidly in a number of irrigation areas between 1990 and 2000.
- Water erosion is a widespread problem in areas with high-intensity rainfall.
- Wind erosion levels fell during the higher-rainfall period of 1998.2001, but increased with the onset of drought in 2001.
- Acidification is a significant soil management problem in many agricultural regions.
- Soil nutrient (carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus) levels are falling in most of Queensland's cropping lands.
- Since 1998, permits have been granted for the disposal of 408 500 m³ of contaminated soil to landfills.
- Pasture condition in many regions is under pressure from drought, vegetation thickening, grazing pressure and noxious weeds.
- Large areas are affected by pest plants and animals. Some pest-control activities are proving effective.
Last updated: 19 May 2004