Preventing salinity
Four components of salinity risk
When dealing with salinity it is important to keep in mind that many assets (natural or built) have varying levels of tolerance to increases in salinity. Therefore salinity must be considered in the context of the particular asset at risk and the value of that asset.
Salinity hazard—the inherent characteristics of the landscape that predispose it to land and water salinity.
Salinity risk—the probability that land or water salinity may develop if certain management practices or land-use changes occur.
The department’s Salinity Risk Assessment Framework (Grundy et al 2007) is the preferred method for assessing salinity risk in Queensland. The risk assessment is based upon multiple lines of evidence to assess the likelihood that salinity will occur, and the impact on an asset. The four components of the risk assessment are:
- biophysical hazards—these are the inherent features of a landscape that may contribute to salinity processes
- management influences—the level of risk due to the land management
- salinity stage—the risk relating to the progression of salinity processes in the landscape and the amount of time before salinity may impact on an asset
- assets—the value of the asset under threat.
Salinity risk assessments have been undertaken in four catchments across Queensland including the Condamine, Fitzroy Basin, Queensland Murray-Darling region and the Burdekin.
Methods of prevention
In areas identified as having a high level of hazard:
- monitor groundwater levels and the amount of salt in the land and water
- encourage preventative actions to stop salt moving towards the surface
- stop further loss of deep-rooted native vegetation both in high-hazard areas and in those areas that contribute groundwater to them.
There are specific methods of salinity prevention including:
- retaining and regenerating native vegetation
- avoiding building dams at sites where the watertable is high
- locating roads along ridges where disruption to water tables will be minimal
- siting houses (and septic systems) away from areas with high watertables
- maintaining good pasture cover through conservative stocking rates
- adopting high water efficiency cropping practices which minimise deep drainage.
Further information
- Refer to the salinity hazard mapping information sheet series and the relevant salinity hazard map
- Strategic Salinity Risk Assessment in the Condamine Catchment
- Salinity Risk Assessment for the Fitzroy Basin
- Salinity Risk Assessment for the Queensland Murray-Darling Basin Region
Last reviewed 10 April 2012
Last updated 13 October 2010