Soil governance in the agricultural landscapes of New South Wales, Australia
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Published:
Mar 29, 2015
Keywords:
Soil governance, agricultural landscapes, New South Wales, regulation, planning instruments, self-regulation, research and development
Main Article Content
Abstract
Soil is a valuable natural resource. In the state of New South Wales, Australia, the governance of soil has evolved since Federation in 1901. Following rapid agricultural development, and in the face of widespread soil degradation, the establishment of the Soil Conservation Service marked a turning point in the management of soil. Throughout the 20th century, advances in knowledge were translated into evolving governance frameworks that were largely reactionary but saw progressive reforms such as water pollution legislation and case studies of catchment-scale land and vegetation management. In the 21st century, significant reforms have embedded sustainable use of agricultural soils within catchment- and landscape-scale legislative and institutional frameworks. What is clear, however, is that a multitude of governance strategies and models are utilised in NSW. No single governance model is applicable to all situations because it is necessary to combine elements of several different mechanisms or instruments to achieve the most desired outcomes. Where an industry, such as the sugar industry, has taken ownership of an issue such as acid sulfate soil management, self-regulation has proven to be extremely effective. In the case of co-managing agricultural soils with other landuses, such as mining, petroleum exploration and urban development, regulation, compliance and enforcement mechanisms have been preferred. Institutional arrangements in the form of independent commissioners have also played a role. At the landscape or total catchment level, it is clear that a mix of mechanisms is required. Fundamental, however, to the successful evolution of soil governance is strategic investment in soil research and development that informs the ongoing productive use of agricultural landscapes while preventing land degradation or adverse environmental effects.
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References
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Crown Lands Consolidation Act 1913 (NSW)
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Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 (NSW)
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
Forestry Act 2012 (NSW)
Franks, Daniel M, Brereton, David and Moran, Chris J, ‘Managing the Cumulative Impacts of Coal Mining on Regional Communities and Environments in Australia’ (2010) 28 Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 299 DOI:10.3152/146155110X12838715793129
Gunningham, Neil, ‘Environmental Law, Regulation and Governance: Shifting Architectures’ (2009) 21 Journal of Environmental Law 179. DOI: 10.1093/jel/eqp011
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Hoxie, Neil J et al., ‘Cryptosporidiosis-Associated Mortality Following a Massive Waterborne Outbreak in Milwaukee, Wisconsin’ (1997) 87 American Journal of Public Health 2032 DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.87.12.2032
Hunter Valley Conservation Trust Act 1950 (NSW)
Landcare Australia Limited, Landcare Australia: Everyone, Everywhere, Landcare (2014)
Lismore Local Environmental Plan 2012 (NSW)
Liverpool Plains Local Environmental Plan 2011 (NSW)
Local Government Act 1993 (NSW)
Local Land Services Act 2013 (NSW)
Luke, Hanabeth et al., ‘Unconventional Gas Development: Why a Regional Community Said No’ (2014) 52 Geographical Research 263. DOI: 10.1111/1745-5871.12071
Mackenzie, William R et al., ‘A Massive Outbreak in Milwaukee of Cryptosporidium Infection Transmitted Through the Public Water Supply’ (2004) 33 The New England Journal of Medicine 161 DOI: 10.1056/NEJM199407213310304
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National Park Estate (Land Transfers) Act 1998 (NSW)
Native Vegetation Act 2003 (NSW)
Natural Resources Commission Act 2003 (NSW)
Ng, Josephine et al., ‘Identification of Zoonotic Cryptosporidium and Giardia Genotypes Infecting Animals in Sydney’s Water Catchments’ (2011) 128 Experimental Parasitology 138 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2011.02.013
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NSW Government, Total Catchment Policy (1987).
NSW Mining, NSW Mining Industry Economic Impact Assessment 2012/13 (October 2013).
NSW Planning and Infrastructure, BSAL Regions Map (2014).
Organic Administration Act 1897 (16 USC 475)
Plantations and Reafforestation Act 1999 (NSW)
Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW)
Reddoch, A. F, ‘River Control Work in the Non-Tidal Section of the Hunter River and its Tributaries’ (1957) 29 Journal of the Institute of Engineers, Australia 241
Richmond Valley Local Environmental Plan 2012 (NSW)
Rural Assistance Act 1989 (NSW)
Sammut, Jes et al. ‘Acidification of an Estuarine Tributary in Eastern Australia Due to Drainage of Acid Sulfate Soils’ (1996) 47 Marine and Freshwater Research 669. doi:10.1071/MF9960669
Sedell, James et al., ‘Water & The Forest Service’ (USDA Forest Service, FS-660, January 2000)
Shattock, W H, ‘A Review of River Improvement Works on Non-Tidal Streams in New South Wales’ (1966) 38 Journal of the Institute of Engineers, Australia 275
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State Environmental Planning Policy No 14 – Coastal Wetlands (NSW)
State Environmental Planning Policy (Rural Lands) 2008 (NSW)
State Environmental Planning Policy (Sydney Drinking Water Catchment) 2011 (NSW)
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Sunshine Sugar, The NSW Sugar Industry Best Practice Guidelines for Acid Sulfate Soils (March, 2005)
Sydney Catchment Authority, Prioritising Catchment Actions – The Catchment Decision Support System 2009-2010 (2009)
Sydney Catchment Authority, Healthy Catchments Strategy 2009-2012 (2009)
Sydney Catchment Authority, Healthy Catchments Program 2010-2011 (2011)
Sydney Catchment Authority, Developments in Sydney’s Drinking Water Catchment: Water Quality Information Requirements (2011)
Sydney Water Catchment Management Act 1998 (NSW)
Sydney Water Catchment Management Regulation 2008 (NSW)
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Tweed Local Environmental Plan 2014 (NSW)
Webb, Ashley A, ‘Can Timber and Water Resources Be Sustainably Co-Developed in South-Eastern New South Wales, Australia?’ (2012) 14 Environment, Development and Sustainability 233. DOI: 10.1007/s10668-011-9319-3
Webb, Ashley A, et al. ‘Temporary Increases in Suspended Sediment Yields Following Selective Eucalypt Forest Harvesting’ (2012) 283 Forest Ecology and Management 96. DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2012.07.017
Western Lands Act 1901 (NSW)
Beattie, R N et al. ‘Achieving Self-Regulation for Drain Maintenance in the NSW Sugar Industry’ (2001) 23 Proceedings Australian Society Sugar Cane Technology 51
Brown, Thomas C et al., ‘Laws and Programs for Controlling Nonpoint Source Pollution in Forest Areas’ (1993) 29 Water Resources Bulletin 1. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1993.tb01500.x
Ballina Local Environmental Plan 2012 (NSW)
Byron Local Environmental Plan 2014 (NSW)
Campbell, A, ‘Managing Australia’s Soils: A Policy Discussion Paper Prepared for the National Committee on Soil and Terrain’, (CSIRO, 2008)
Catchment Management Authorities Act 2003 (NSW)
Clarence Valley Local Environmental Plan 2011 (NSW)
Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, A Stocktake of Australia’s Current Investment in Soils Research, Development and Extension: A Snapshot for 2010-11 (2011)
Commonwealth of Australia, National Food Plan: Our food future (2013)
Commonwealth of Australia, The National Soil Research, Development and Extension Strategy, Securing Australia’s Soil, For Profitable Industries and Healthy Landscapes (2014)
Croke, Jacky and Hairsine, Peter, ‘Sediment Delivery in Managed Forests: A Review’ (2006) 14 Environmental Reviews 59. DOI: 10.1139/a05-016
Crown Lands Act 1989 (NSW)
Crown Lands Consolidation Act 1913 (NSW)
Department of Conservation and Land Management, ‘Annual Report for the Year Ended 1992’ (1992)
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, A stocktake of Australia’s Current Investment in Soils Research, Development and Extension: A Snapshot for 2010-11 (2011)
Dovers, Stephen, ‘A Framework for Scaling and Framing Policy Problems in Sustainability’ (1995) 12 Ecological Economics 93, 104. DOI: 10.1016/0921-8009(94)00042-T
Drabsch, Talina, Economic Indicators NSW: Statistical Indicators 1/13 (NSW Parliamentary Library, January 2013)
Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (NSW) s 37
Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 (NSW)
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth)
Forestry Act 2012 (NSW)
Franks, Daniel M, Brereton, David and Moran, Chris J, ‘Managing the Cumulative Impacts of Coal Mining on Regional Communities and Environments in Australia’ (2010) 28 Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal 299 DOI:10.3152/146155110X12838715793129
Gunningham, Neil, ‘Environmental Law, Regulation and Governance: Shifting Architectures’ (2009) 21 Journal of Environmental Law 179. DOI: 10.1093/jel/eqp011
K C Hall et al. ‘Distribution of Inland Wetlands with Sulfidic Sediments in the Murray-Darling Basin, Australia’ (2006) 370 Science of the Total Environment 235
Hallsworth, EG, et al. (1954) ‘the Nutrient Status and Cultivation Practices of the Soils of the North-West Wheat Belt of NSW’ 5(3) Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 5(3) 422. DOI:10.1071/AR9540422
Hoxie, Neil J et al., ‘Cryptosporidiosis-Associated Mortality Following a Massive Waterborne Outbreak in Milwaukee, Wisconsin’ (1997) 87 American Journal of Public Health 2032 DOI: 10.2105/AJPH.87.12.2032
Hunter Valley Conservation Trust Act 1950 (NSW)
Landcare Australia Limited, Landcare Australia: Everyone, Everywhere, Landcare (2014)
Lismore Local Environmental Plan 2012 (NSW)
Liverpool Plains Local Environmental Plan 2011 (NSW)
Local Government Act 1993 (NSW)
Local Land Services Act 2013 (NSW)
Luke, Hanabeth et al., ‘Unconventional Gas Development: Why a Regional Community Said No’ (2014) 52 Geographical Research 263. DOI: 10.1111/1745-5871.12071
Mackenzie, William R et al., ‘A Massive Outbreak in Milwaukee of Cryptosporidium Infection Transmitted Through the Public Water Supply’ (2004) 33 The New England Journal of Medicine 161 DOI: 10.1056/NEJM199407213310304
McClellan, Peter, ‘Sydney Water Inquiry Final Report’ (NSW Premier’s Department, December 1998)
McManus, Phil and Connor, Linda H, ‘What’s Mine is Mine(D): Contests Over Marginalisation of Rural Life in the Upper Hunter, NSW’ (2013) 22 Rural Society 166. DOI:10.5172/rsj.2013.22.2.166
National Park Estate (Land Transfers) Act 1998 (NSW)
Native Vegetation Act 2003 (NSW)
Natural Resources Commission Act 2003 (NSW)
Ng, Josephine et al., ‘Identification of Zoonotic Cryptosporidium and Giardia Genotypes Infecting Animals in Sydney’s Water Catchments’ (2011) 128 Experimental Parasitology 138 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2011.02.013
NSW Agriculture, Policy for Sustainable Agriculture in New South Wales (1998)
NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change, NSW Diffuse Source Water Pollution Strategy (June 2009)
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Position Statement on Soils (2013)
NSW Government ‘Land and Water Commissioner Fact Sheet’ (2013)
NSW Government, Mining & Petroleum Gateway Panel (2014)
NSW Government, NSW 2012: A Plan to Make NSW Number One (September 2011)
NSW Government, State Records Authority, Soil Conservation Service (2014). http://search.records.nsw.gov.au/agencies/1155;jsessionid=1082E6FA668FBB2CD4666139A99DD9F2
NSW Government, State Soils Policy (1987)
NSW Government, Strategic Regional Land Use Policy (September 2012).
NSW Government, Total Catchment Policy (1987).
NSW Mining, NSW Mining Industry Economic Impact Assessment 2012/13 (October 2013).
NSW Planning and Infrastructure, BSAL Regions Map (2014).
Organic Administration Act 1897 (16 USC 475)
Plantations and Reafforestation Act 1999 (NSW)
Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (NSW)
Reddoch, A. F, ‘River Control Work in the Non-Tidal Section of the Hunter River and its Tributaries’ (1957) 29 Journal of the Institute of Engineers, Australia 241
Richmond Valley Local Environmental Plan 2012 (NSW)
Rural Assistance Act 1989 (NSW)
Sammut, Jes et al. ‘Acidification of an Estuarine Tributary in Eastern Australia Due to Drainage of Acid Sulfate Soils’ (1996) 47 Marine and Freshwater Research 669. doi:10.1071/MF9960669
Sedell, James et al., ‘Water & The Forest Service’ (USDA Forest Service, FS-660, January 2000)
Shattock, W H, ‘A Review of River Improvement Works on Non-Tidal Streams in New South Wales’ (1966) 38 Journal of the Institute of Engineers, Australia 275
Soil Conservation Act 1938 (NSW)
Soil Conservation (Amendment) Act 1947 (NSW)
Soil Conservation Service, ‘Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service of New South Wales for the year ended 30 June 1949’ (Joint Volumes of Papers Presented to the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly, vol 1, 1948-49-50)
Soil Conservation Service, ‘Annual Report of the Soil Conservation Service of New South Wales for the year ended 30 June 1971’ (Joint Volumes of Papers Presented to the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly, vol 1, 1971-72
State Environmental Planning Policy (Mining, Petroleum Production and Extractive Industries) 2007 (NSW)
State Environmental Planning Policy No 14 – Coastal Wetlands (NSW)
State Environmental Planning Policy (Rural Lands) 2008 (NSW)
State Environmental Planning Policy (Sydney Drinking Water Catchment) 2011 (NSW)
State Extension Leaders Network, University of Tasmania, Enabling Change in Rural and Regional Australia: The Role of Extension in Achieving Sustainable and Productive Futures (2006)
State of NSW and Environment Protection Authority, New South Wales State of the Environment 2012 (2012)
Stein, P L, ‘The Great Sydney Water Crisis of 1998’ (2000) 123 Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 419 DOI:10.1023/A:1005255202854
Stoneham, G, et al., ‘The Application of Sustainability Concepts to Australian Agriculture: An Overview’ (2003) 43 Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture 195. doi.org/10.1071/EA00173
Sunshine Sugar, The NSW Sugar Industry Best Practice Guidelines for Acid Sulfate Soils (March, 2005)
Sydney Catchment Authority, Prioritising Catchment Actions – The Catchment Decision Support System 2009-2010 (2009)
Sydney Catchment Authority, Healthy Catchments Strategy 2009-2012 (2009)
Sydney Catchment Authority, Healthy Catchments Program 2010-2011 (2011)
Sydney Catchment Authority, Developments in Sydney’s Drinking Water Catchment: Water Quality Information Requirements (2011)
Sydney Water Catchment Management Act 1998 (NSW)
Sydney Water Catchment Management Regulation 2008 (NSW)
The Wentworth Group, Blueprint for a Living Continent, (1 November 2002)
Tweed Local Environmental Plan 2014 (NSW)
Webb, Ashley A, ‘Can Timber and Water Resources Be Sustainably Co-Developed in South-Eastern New South Wales, Australia?’ (2012) 14 Environment, Development and Sustainability 233. DOI: 10.1007/s10668-011-9319-3
Webb, Ashley A, et al. ‘Temporary Increases in Suspended Sediment Yields Following Selective Eucalypt Forest Harvesting’ (2012) 283 Forest Ecology and Management 96. DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2012.07.017
Western Lands Act 1901 (NSW)