Detailed Land Characterisation for irrigated plantation and pasture development - Water Management

Specifications

• Client: Confidential Client
• Scope:

  Detailed land characterisation of a 5,000 ha property for CSG irrigation development including:

  • Detailed desktop analysis of spatial attributes (landform, topography, native vegetation, agricultural land classification, geology, soils, water resources, infrastructure and exclusion zones)
  • Identification of broad areas targeted field reconnaissance and investigation
  • Detailed soil pit characterisation, soil sampling
  • Soil chemical and Threshold electrolyte conductivity analysis
  • Electro-Magnetic (EM) surveying
  • Soil type mapping
  • Soil functional characteristic mapping (PAWC etc.)
  • Captured and presentation of GPS and field survey data
  • Land capability mapping for irrigation development (including irrigation rates and crop suitability)
• Challenge:

  The client required a detailed characterisation of a target property to understand options for irrigation development on marginal soils in a region previously undeveloped for intensive agriculture.

• Solution:

  Verterra brought a multidisciplinary approach to understanding soils, erosion, crop capabilities, crop economics, plant water use, hydrology, hydrogeology and regulatory requirements. In association with the University of Southern Queensland, Verterra developed new approaches to understanding of soil permeability changes in response to intensive irrigation.

• Benefit to Client:

  This project provided the client with a critical evaluation of land capability for irrigation development, and underpinned the client's multi-million dollar land purchase decision.

• Market Sector: Oil and Gas
• Capabilities:
  • Irrigated forest & fodder crops for beneficial use of waste water
  • Soil surveying and land capability assessment
  • General land, water and vegetation technical services
• Location: Queensland
• Year: 2011