Download Limestone Coast Region

Limestone Coast Region
DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL FOR AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY
AND PREMIUM FOOD AND WINE FROM OUR CLEAN ENVIRONMENT
November 2013
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Limestone Coast
Development potential for Agriculture, Forestry and
Premium Food and Wine from our Clean Environment
Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA)
GPO Box 1671 Adelaide, SA 5001
T +61 8 8226 0900
F +61 8 8226 0476
E [email protected]
www.pir.sa.gov.au
Research team
Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA)
Agribusiness and Regions:
John Fennell, Mark Bartetzko, Kym Walton
Spatial Information Services:
Jayne Robertson, Jo-Anne Ragless
Commonwealth Government Bureau of Meteorology
Darren Ray, Alex Evans
Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast
Mike Ryan
South East Resources Information Centre (SERIC)
Terry Strickland, Tony Hay
Acknowledgements
Celia Brissenden, Strategy and Engagement Division, PIRSA
Peta Crewe, Regional Manager Limestone Coast, Agribusiness and Regions Division, PIRSA
Kate Fell, Agribusiness and Regions Division, PIRSA
Jack Langberg, Agribusiness and Regions Division, PIRSA
Dr Peter Lauer, Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, PIRSA
Dr Sean Miller, Rural Solutions SA, PIRSA
Michael Moore, Agribusiness and Regions Division, PIRSA
Neil Sandercock, Spatial Information Services, PIRSA
Peter Willmott, Agribusiness and Regions Division, PIRSA
Contents
FOREWORD . ........................................................................................................... 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY . ............................................................................................ 2 1. INTRODUCTION TO THE LIMESTONE COAST . ........................................................... 4 2. LAND AND SOIL CAPABILITY OF THE LIMESTONE COAST ......................................... 14 MAPPING THE POTENTIAL FOR EXTENSIVE CROPPING, HORTICULTURE AND VITICULTURE ............................................ 14 BIOSECURITY .............................................................................................................................................. 59 PLANTATION FORESTRY ................................................................................................................................ 66 FARM FORESTRY (AGRO FORESTRY) ................................................................................................................ 69 AQUACULTURE ........................................................................................................................................... 71 RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ALTERNATIVE FUELS .................................................................................................. 74 3. WATER RESOURCES OF THE LIMESTONE COAST .................................................... 75 WATER OVERVIEW ...................................................................................................................................... 75 LOWER LIMESTONE COAST PRESCRIBED WELLS AREA ......................................................................................... 89 TINTINARA COONALPYN PRESCRIBED WELLS AREA ............................................................................................ 96 TATIARA PRESCRIBED WELLS AREA ............................................................................................................... 104 PADTHAWAY PRESCRIBED WELLS AREA ......................................................................................................... 111 MORAMBRO CREEK PRESCRIBED SURFACE WATER AREA .................................................................................. 117 SA WATER .............................................................................................................................................. 121 SUMMARY ............................................................................................................................................... 127 4. CLIMATE ........................................................................................................ 143 CLIMATE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................... 143 WIND ..................................................................................................................................................... 147 RAINFALL ................................................................................................................................................. 151 TEMPERATURE .......................................................................................................................................... 159 RELATIVE HUMIDITY ................................................................................................................................... 168 EVAPORATION AND SOLAR RADIATION ........................................................................................................... 169 REGIONAL CHILL UNITS ............................................................................................................................... 169 5. INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE LIMESTONE COAST . .................................................... 177 ELECTRICITY ............................................................................................................................................. 177 GAS ........................................................................................................................................................ 180 ROADS .................................................................................................................................................... 182 AIR ......................................................................................................................................................... 184 RAIL ....................................................................................................................................................... 184 SHIPPING ................................................................................................................................................. 186 WASTE TRANSFER FACILITIES ....................................................................................................................... 187 6. INDUSTRY REQUIREMENTS . .............................................................................. 188 7. CARBON FARMING POTENTIAL IN THE LIMESTONE COAST . ................................... 1 91 CARBON FARMING INITIATIVE OPPORTUNITIES ................................................................................................. 191 SCOPE OF THE CARBON FARMING INITIATIVE ................................................................................................... 191 BIODIVERSITY FUND ................................................................................................................................... 191 DIRECT ACTION ......................................................................................................................................... 191 List of Figures
Figure 1 : Population trends in the Limestone Coast region (by Local Government Area) 2001-2011 .......... 5 Figure 2: The Limestone Coast region and Local Government boundaries ................................................... 7 Figure 3: Land use planning zones ................................................................................................................ 8 Figure 4: Land parcel size .............................................................................................................................. 9 Figure 5: Existing land use ........................................................................................................................... 10 Figure 6: Conservation areas ....................................................................................................................... 11 Figure 7: Limestone Coast Wine regions and vineyards .............................................................................. 23 Figure 8: Potential for potatoes in the Limestone Coast region.................................................................... 24 Figure 9: Potential for onions in the Limestone Coast region ....................................................................... 25 Figure 10: Potential for brassicas in the Limestone Coast region ............................................................... 26 Figure 11: Potential for carrots in the Limestone Coast region .................................................................. 27 Figure 12: Potential for apples in the Limestone Coast region .................................................................... 28 Figure 13: Potential for cherries in the Limestone Coast region................................................................... 29 Figure 14: Potential for citrus (lemons) in the Limestone Coast region ........................................................ 30 Figure 15: Potential for olives in the Limestone Coast region ...................................................................... 31 Figure 16: Potential for pears in the Limestone Coast region ...................................................................... 32 Figure 17: Potential for wheat in the Limestone Coast region ...................................................................... 33 Figure 18: Potential for barley in the Limestone Coast region...................................................................... 34 Figure 19: Potential for canola in the Limestone Coast region ..................................................................... 35 Figure 20: Potential for Faba beans in the Limestone Coast region ............................................................ 36 Figure 21: Potential for dryland lucerne in the Limestone Coast region ....................................................... 37 Figure 22: Potential for irrigated lucerne in the Limestone Coast region...................................................... 38 Figure 23: Crop Potential for irrigated white clover in the Limestone Coast region...................................... 39 Figure 24: Potential for grape vines in the Limestone Coast region ............................................................. 40 Figure 25a: Potential for intensive pork in the Limestone Coast region ....................................................... 48 Figure 25b: Limiting factors for intensive pork in the Limestone Coast region ............................................. 49 Figure 26a: Potential for dairy in the Limestone Coast region...................................................................... 50 Figure 26b: Limiting factors for dairy in the Limestone Coast region ........................................................... 51 Figure 27a: Potential for beef feedlot in the Limestone Coast region........................................................... 52 Figure 27b: Limiting factors for beef feedlot in the Limestone Coast region ................................................ 53 Figure 28a: Potential for sheep feedlot in the Limestone Coast region ........................................................ 54 Figure 28b: Limiting factors for sheep feedlot in the Limestone Coast region.............................................. 55 Figure 29: Plantation type and wood products ............................................................................................. 67 Figure 30: Forest estates and wood processing centres in the Green Triangle region ................................ 68 Figure 31: Aquaculture licences in the Limestone Coast ............................................................................. 71 Figure 32: Shallow Groundwater salinity within the Limestone Coast (Source: PIRSA 2012) ..................... 76 Figure 33: Geological cross-section within the Lower Limestone Coast PWA (Source: DFW 2011) ........... 78 Figure 34: Limestone Coast Prescribed Water Resources Area ................................................................. 80 Figure 35: Water use limit and actual regional use in the Limestone Coast ................................................ 82 Figure 36: Limestone Coast water limits and use by resource (refer to Table 17 for key to resource) ........ 82 Figure 37: Limestone Coast Prescribed Wells Areas and unconfined aquifer Management Area boundaries
..................................................................................................................................................................... 85 Figure 38: Limestone Coast Prescribed Wells Areas and confined aquifer Management Area boundaries 86 Figure 39: Water allocation and use in the unconfined aquifer Management Areas as a percentage of
allocation 2006-2011 .................................................................................................................................... 87 Figure 40: Average Licensed Use from confined aquifer Management Areas as percentage of allocation . 88 Figure 41: Groundwater flow and salinity distribution (winter 2010) for the unconfined aquifer in the Lower
Limestone Coast PWA (Source: DFW 2011) ............................................................................................... 91 Figure 42: Groundwater flow and salinity distribution (winter 2010) for the confined aquifer in the Lower
Limestone Coast PWA (Source: DFW 2011) ............................................................................................... 92 Figure 43: Lower Limestone Coast PWA groundwater use 2003- 2011 ...................................................... 93 Figure 44: Lower Limestone Coast PWA Groundwater use vs. extraction limits 2003-2011 (ML) .............. 94 Figure 45: Groundwater used per crop type for the Lower Limestone Coast PWA in 2008–09 .................. 95 Figure 46: TC PWA location and boundary (Source: DFW 2011) ................................................................ 96 Figure 47: Geological east-west cross-section of the Tintinara–Coonalpyn PWA (Source: DWR) .............. 97 Figure 48: TC PWA Groundwater movement and salinity – unconfined aquifer (Source: DFW 2011) ........ 98 Figure 49: TC PWA Groundwater movement and salinity – confined aquifer (Source: DFW 2011) ............ 99 Figure 50: TC PWA Licensed groundwater use 2001-2011 (Source: DFW 2011) ..................................... 100 Figure 51: TC PWA Licensed groundwater use vs. extraction limits 2001-2011 (Source: DFW 2011) ..... 101 Figure 52: Groundwater used per crop type for the TC PWA in 2010-11 .................................................. 102 Figure 53: Volume extraction Confined and unconfined aquifers .............................................................. 103 Figure 54: Tatiara PWA, location and boundary (Source: DFW 2011) ...................................................... 104 Figure 55: Geological east-west cross-section of the Tatiara PWA (Source: DFW) .................................. 105 Figure 56: Tatiara PWA Groundwater movement and salinity, unconfined aquifer (Source: DFW 2011) . 106 Figure 57: Tatiara PWA Groundwater movement and salinity, confined aquifer (Source: DFW 2011) ..... 107 Figure 58: Tatiara PWA Licensed groundwater use 2001-2011 (Source: DFW 2011) .............................. 108 Figure 59: Groundwater used per crop type for the Tatiara PWA in 2010-11 ............................................ 109 Figure 60: Padthaway PWA location and boundary (Source: DFW 2011) ................................................. 111 Figure 61: Geological east-west cross-section of the Padthaway PWA (Source: DFW) ........................... 112 Figure 62: Padthaway PWA Groundwater movement and salinity, unconfined aquifer ............................. 113 Figure 63: Tatiara PWA Licensed groundwater use 2001-2011 (Source: DFW 2011) .............................. 114 Figure 64: Groundwater use per crop type for the Padthaway PWA in 2010-11 ....................................... 116 Figure 65: Morambro Creek Prescribed Surface Water Area (Source: SE NRM Board) ........................... 117 Figure 66: Limestone Coast mean annual rainfall (Source: DFW) ............................................................. 129 Figure 67: Upper Limestone Coast drainage network (Source: DWLBC) .................................................. 132 Figure 68: Average mean sea level pressure for January .......................................................................... 145 Figure 69: Average mean sea level pressure pattern for April ................................................................... 146 Figure 70: Average mean sea level pressure pattern for July ................................................................... 146 Figure 71: Average mean sea level pressure pattern for October.............................................................. 146 Figure 72: Keith (Munkora) 9 am and 3 pm wind roses by season ............................................................ 148 Figure 73: Mount Gambier 9 am and 3 pm wind roses by season ............................................................. 148 Figure 74: AWAP annual average rainfall (1979 to 2010) .......................................................................... 152 Figure 75: AWAP gridded annual rainfall averaged across the Limestone Coast ...................................... 153 Figure 76: Average monthly rainfall for six weather recording stations in the Limestone Coast ................ 154 Figure 77: Area-averaged mean autumn rainfall (mm) 1979-2010 ............................................................ 155 Figure 78: Area-averaged time series and trends in total autumn rainfall (mm/yr)..................................... 156 Figure 79: Area-averaged mean winter rainfall (mm) 1979-2010 ............................................................... 156 Figure 80: Area-averaged time series and trends in total winter rainfall (mm) ........................................... 157 Figure 81: Area-averaged mean spring rainfall (mm) 1979-2010............................................................... 157 Figure 82: Area-averaged time series and trends in total spring rainfall (mm) ........................................... 158 Figure 83: Area-averaged mean summer rainfall (mm) 1979-2010 ........................................................... 158 Figure 84: Area-averaged time series and trends in total summer rainfall (mm ......................................... 159 Figure 85: Area-averaged Limestone Coast annual maximum temperature .............................................. 159 Figure 86: Area-averaged Limestone Coast annual minimum temperature ............................................... 160 Figure 87: Mean and extreme maximum and minimum temperatures for Keith......................................... 161 Figure 88: Mean and extreme maximum and minimum temperatures for Naracoorte ............................... 161 Figure 89: Mean and extreme maximum and minimum temperatures for Robe ........................................ 162 Figure 90: Mean and extreme maximum and minimum temperatures for Mt Gambier .............................. 162 Figure 91: Limestone Coast January maximum and minimum temperature .............................................. 163 Figure 92: Limestone Coast April maximum and minimum temperature.................................................... 163 Figure 93: Limestone Coast July maximum and minimum temperature .................................................... 164 Figure 94: Limestone Coast October maximum and minimum temperature .............................................. 164 Figure 95: (left) Mean January Temperature and (right) Continentality index (July - January mean
temperatures) ............................................................................................................................................. 165 Figure 96: Numbers of days with maximum temperatures > 35oC and overnight minimum temperatures <
2oC at Naracoorte, Keith, Robe and Mt Gambier ....................................................................................... 166 Figure 97: Numbers of hot days (days over 35 oC) at Keith and Mt Gambier ............................................ 167 Figure 98: Average monthly relative humidity at 9am and 3pm at Keith, Robe and Mt Gambier ............... 168 Figure 99: Average monthly Class A pan evaporation and solar radiation at Padthaway, Coonawarra and
Mt Gambier ................................................................................................................................................. 169 Figure 100: Monthly observed chill units using the < 7.22 oC model .......................................................... 171 Figure 101: Monthly observed chill units using the Utah model. ................................................................ 172 Figure 102: Accumulated May to October chill units from the < 7.2 oC model ........................................... 172 Figure 103: Accumulated May to October chill units from the Utah model ................................................ 173 Figure 104: Wind Roses for Cape Jaffa ..................................................................................................... 174 Figure 105: Wind Roses for Naracoorte ..................................................................................................... 174 Figure 106: Limestone Coast electricity distribution infrastructure ............................................................. 178 Figure 107: Gas distribution infrastructure in the Limestone Coast ........................................................... 181 Figure 108:Limestone Coast road network ................................................................................................ 183 Figure 109: Limestone Coast rail network .................................................................................................. 185 Figure 110: Estimated carbon sequestration rates in the Limestone Coast ............................................... 192 List of Tables
Table 1: Population demographics of the Limestone Coast (by Local Government Area) 2011 .................... 5 Table 2: Land and soil attributes .................................................................................................................. 14 Table 3: Land classes................................................................................................................................... 15 Table 4: Crop potential categories................................................................................................................ 16 Table 5: Land area estimates (ha) with more than 60% with moderate to high potential for a range of crops
in each Local Government area ................................................................................................................... 17 Table 6: Limestone Coast GI - wine grape production area and number of growers - 2012 ........................ 19 Table 7: Limestone Coast GI - number of wine grape growers and property size - 2012 ............................ 20 Table 8: Limestone Coast GI - total wine grape crush (tonnes) by production area - 2007 to 2012 ............ 21 Table 9: Limestone Coast GI - wine grape intake (tonnes and $ values) summary for 2012 vintage .......... 22 Table 10: Chicken meat industry criteria ...................................................................................................... 42 Table 11: Pork meat industry criteria ............................................................................................................ 42 Table 12: Dairy industry criteria .................................................................................................................... 43 Table 13: Beef feedlot industry criteria ......................................................................................................... 45 Table 14: Sheep feedlot industry criteria ...................................................................................................... 46 Table 15: Regional meat processing facilities ............................................................................................. 47 Table 16: South East Natural Resources Management Board priority species and management control
actions .......................................................................................................................................................... 63 Table 17: Limestone Coast regional water limits and use ............................................................................ 81 Table 18: Prescribed Wells Areas and water limit and use (GL/yr) .............................................................. 83 Table 19: All Confined Aquifer water usage 2006-2011 (GL) ....................................................................... 84 Table 20: Lower Limestone Coast PWA – Combined unconfined and confined aquifer water usage (GL)
2006 – 2011 ................................................................................................................................................. 93 Table 21: Lower Limestone Coast PWA – Unconfined aquifer water usage 2006 – 2011 (GL)................... 94 Table 22: Lower Limestone Coast PWA water use by purpose 2007-2011 (Source: DFW) ........................ 95 Table 23: TC PWA – Combined unconfined and confined aquifer water usage 2006 – 2011 (GL) ........... 101 Table 24: TC PWA – unconfined aquifer water usage 2006 – 2011 (GL) .................................................. 101 Table 25: TC PWA Groundwater use by purpose 2007-2011 (Source: DFW) ........................................... 102 Table 26: Tatiara PWA – Combined unconfined and confined aquifer water usage 2006 – 2011 (GL) ..... 108 Table 27: Tatiara PWA unconfined aquifer water usage 2006 – 2011 (GL) ............................................... 109 Table 28: Tatiara PWA Groundwater use by purpose 2007-2011 (Source: DFW)..................................... 110 Table 29: Padthaway PWA – Combined Unconfined/Confined aquifer water usage 2006 – 2011 (GL) .... 114 Table 30: Padthaway PWA water usage 2006 – 2011 (GL) ....................................................................... 115 Table 31: Padthaway PWA Groundwater use by purpose 2007-2011 (Source: DFW) .............................. 115 Table 32: SA Water WWTP capacity within the Limestone Coast ............................................................. 122 Table 33: SA Water Limestone Coast regional groundwater allocations for public water supply (as at Nov
2012) .......................................................................................................................................................... 123 Table 34: Salinity tolerance levels for crops ............................................................................................... 125 Table 35: Salinity tolerance levels for livestock .......................................................................................... 127 Table 36: Limestone Coast mean annual rainfall ....................................................................................... 127 Table 37: Limestone Coast indicative crop net irrigation water requirements (NIR) - (ML/ha) .................. 130 Table 38: Limestone Coast - LLC Water availability from the SE Unconfined aquifer – Lower Limestone
Coast PWA ................................................................................................................................................. 133 Table 39: Limestone Coast – Padthaway PWA unconfined aquifer Management Areas - allocation vs. use
2006-2011 (Source: DWLBC / DFW) ......................................................................................................... 138 Table 40: Limestone Coast – Tintinara PWA unconfined aquifer Management Areas - allocation vs. use
2006-2011 (Source: DWLBC / DFW) ......................................................................................................... 138 Table 41: Limestone Coast – Tatiara PWA unconfined aquifer Management Areas - allocation vs. use
2006-2011 (Source: DWLBC / DFW) ......................................................................................................... 139 Table 42: Limestone Coast - All confined aquifer Management Areas - allocation vs. use 2006-2011
(Source: DWLBC / DFW) ........................................................................................................................... 140 Table 43: Keith wind frequency analysis using all available data (2001-2012) .......................................... 149 Table 44: Mount Gambier wind frequency analysis using data from 1991 to 2012 ................................... 150 Table 45: Maximum wind gust by month for all Limestone Coast wind observations (length of observation
period varies) ............................................................................................................................................. 151 Table 46: Average monthly and annual rainfall from station data in the Limestone Coast (period 1935 to
2011) .......................................................................................................................................................... 154 Table 47: Utah Model (Richardson Chill Units) .......................................................................................... 170 Table 48: Observed May to October accumulated chilling units from the < 7.2 oC model at Mt Gambier,
Naracoorte, Keith and Robe ....................................................................................................................... 170 Table 49: Observed May to October accumulated chilling units from the Utah model at Mt Gambier,
Naracoorte, Keith and Robe ....................................................................................................................... 173 Table 50: Cape Jaffa wind frequency analysis using all available data (1991 to 2012). ............................ 175 Table 51: Naracoorte wind frequency analysis using all available data (1998 to 2012) ............................ 176 Table 52: Limestone Coast Substations locations and capacity ................................................................ 179 Table 53: Distances and estimated travel times by road from selected Limestone Coast towns to Adelaide
and Melbourne ........................................................................................................................................... 182 Table 54: Waste transfer stations in the Limestone Coast ......................................................................... 187 Table 55: Resource requirements for horticulture, viticulture and intensive animal industries .................. 188 Abbreviations
AEMO
Australian Energy Market Operator
BJD
Bovine Johne’s Disease
CFI
Carbon Framing Initiative
CWMS
Community Wastewater Management System
DAC
Development Assessment Commission
DAFF
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
DCDB
Digital Cadastral Database
DEWNR
Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources
DFW
Department for Water
DHA
Department of Health and Ageing
DWLBC
Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation
EHB
European House Borer
EPA
Environment Protection Authority
ESCOSA
Essential Services Commission of South Australia
GI
Geographic Indication
GL
Gigalitres
IE
Irrigation Equivalent
L/s
Litres per second
LLC
Lower Limestone Coast
LPG
Liquefied Petroleum Gas
LSE
Lower South East
MCPSWA
Morambro Creek Prescribed Surface Water Area
MFF
Mediterranean Fruit Fly
MJT
Mean January Temperature
ML
Megalitres
NEM
National Electricity Market
NRM
Natural Resources Management
NSHS
National Sheep Health Statement
NVHSC
National Vine Health Steering Committee
OJD
Ovine Johne’s Disease
PAV
Permissible Annual Volume
PCN
Potato Cyst Nematodes
PQS
Plant Quarantine Standards
PWA
Prescribed Wells Area
RADLC
Regional Development Australia Limestone Coast
QFF
Queensland Fruit Fly
SARDI
South Australia Research and Development Institute
SEA
South East Australia
SELGA
South East Local Government Association
SENRMB
South East Natural Resources Management Board
SESA
South East South Australia
SEWCD
South Eastern Water Conservation and Drainage
SIS
Spatial Information Services
STEDS
Septic Tank Effluent Disposal System
USE
Upper South East
WAP
Water Allocation Plan
WWTP
Wastewater Treatment Plant
Foreword
South Australia’s regions drive the state’s economy, with regional communities playing a critical role to the
economic success of a region. The State Government is committed to supporting these communities to fulfill their
potential as sustainable and competitive in the local, national, and global marketplace.
The Limestone Coast region offers its residents, visitors, consumers of its premium products, existing businesses
and investors alike a rich diversity of opportunities.
Investors need sound reliable advice on which to base their decisions. The aim of this report is to provide
baseline information for investors by identifying land suitability for a range of cropping, horticulture, forestry, and
intensive livestock development along with the available infrastructure and services to support them.
While the Limestone Coast is already a well-established region, the community and its leaders know that there is
still an immense amount of opportunity, and that the region is ‘investor ready’ – for new industries, or for existing
businesses to expand, innovate and collaborate together. Investment provides capital, expertise, competitiveness
and diversity , while creating employment and flow-on economic benefits.
The Government of South Australia has supported the Limestone Coast to realise these opportunities through
our facilitation, with local leaders and the community, of the Limestone Coast Economic Diversification Forum.
From this process the Government, industry and the community have gained clarity and focus on where the
Limestone Coast wants effort directed.
The Government is further supporting the diversification of the region’s economy through an agriculture, food and
wine business Innovation Cluster Program, the South East Forestry Partnership Program, and a commitment to
increase exports of South Australia’s premium food and wine into China.
Importantly, we recognise the need for a locally led and coordinated approach by local government,
Commonwealth and State agencies, regional organisations, including our project partner Regional Development
Australia Limestone Coast, industry and community groups to see this through.
I congratulate and thank all involved in producing such a comprehensive document that will aid the sustainable
growth and vibrancy of the Limestone Coast.
Gail Gago
Minister for Regional Development
Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries
1 Executive Summary
The Limestone Coast region is located in the south-east of South Australia, midway between Melbourne and
Adelaide. The region extends from Bordertown and Keith in the north to the coastal fishing ports of Port
Macdonnell and Carpenter Rocks in the south. It is bounded by the South Australian and Victorian state borders
in the east, and by the Coorong and the sea to the west.
Although this report only details the potential of the land within South Australia; it is recognised that the economy
of the region is closely linked with adjacent areas of Victoria. In particular, the plantation forestry industry
operates within what is known as the Green Triangle, embracing production in both states. The Limestone Coast
is strategically located between Melbourne and Adelaide which provides considerable, and still underexploited,
opportunities.
The region has a land area of 21 376 square kilometres (2.1 million hectares), much of it with fertile soils, has
access to reliable sources of underground water and a range of climates contributing to the establishment of a
significant primary industry based land use. In general, rainfall is higher and temperatures more moderate in the
southern parts of the region due to coastal influences. In contrast the temperatures are higher and rainfall is
considerably lower in the north east of the region.
The major regional population centre is Mt Gambier, but there are other important commercial and service
centres, including Naracoorte, Millicent, Kingston, Bordertown and Keith.
The existing major primary industry activities are viticulture (including the recognised wine regions of Padthaway,
Wrattonbully, Mount Benson, Robe, Coonawarra and Mount Gambier), forestry, dairy, livestock (beef, sheep
meat and wool), grains and pasture and vegetable seeds, potatoes and wild-harvested lobster and abalone. The
region already supports a large number of primary production enterprises and opportunities exist for collaboration
and further growth.
In 2006-07 the region contributed $2.7 billion to the state economy of which $2.2 billion was exported.
Agriculture, forestry and fishing provided $521 million of these earnings and employed 21% of the workforce.
Increasing economies of scale and mechanisation in various sectors has resulted in a decline in workforce
requirements over the past decade.
This report presents the results of crop and livestock potential mapping based upon land, water and infrastructure
capability. The region has what is considered as the most reliable water sources in South Australia that can be
sustainably managed for increased economic development.
On a broad scale, the mapping highlights areas with future potential that investors may consider. The mapping
provides a good indication of land capability but cannot solely be relied upon for investment without appropriate
due diligence at specific property level. The mapping work indicates that considerable potential exists for future
economic growth in the region with agriculture and food production, forestry and wood processing as key drivers
that will need enhanced investment in value adding processes, business support services and innovative
technologies.
There is ample water in the region that can provide extensive opportunities for increased water use. The quantity
of water available is however only one factor in determining whether potential for development should be
converted to actual development.
Allocations endorsed on water licenses within the Limestone Coast have consistently remained in excess of
actual demand for water. Of the 1 119 GL of indicative allocations available as at 2010-11 for use each year,
actual average demand between 2006 and 2011 was approximately 384 GL or 34%. The main opportunity will
come from utilisation of these unused allocations and the change to volumetric conversion will provide
opportunities for operation of a water transfer market. Consideration of changes to the way that allocations are
determined within, or transferred between, small scale Management Areas would offer greater flexibility if based
upon good science of groundwater movement and management.
2 The climate of the region is strongly influenced by the proximity to the coast and has fewer extremes than other
parts of South Australia. Climate change impacts in other regions may influence the relocation of agriculture
production to the Limestone Coast in future years.
In addition the region has potential for the generation of renewable energy with wind, solar and wave capabilities,
as well as the production of biomass fuels.
Aims of the project
•
•
•
To collect data and information that will assist future investors to make decisions regarding establishing
new enterprises in the Limestone Coast.
To utilise mapping resources to create a picture of where potential may exist for future economic
development and for maximising collaborative opportunities in the utilisation of resources that the area
has.
To identify constraints, so that key stakeholders such as the Regional Development Australia Limestone
Coast, Local Governments and State Government can address them and therefore support future
investment in the area.
3