This dataset is the primary data output from the north-east land resource assessment project undertaken in 2001-02. It contains soil and land information at a scale of 1:100 000 for all freehold land in north-east Victoria. It also includes generic soil erosion risk assessments and agricultural capability. At the map scale of this dataset soil-landform units are not homogeneous. For each defined soil-landform unit, dominant soil types were identified prior to assessing their capability to support various enterprises. Often a co-dominant and minor soil type have been described as part of this process. Importantly it should be noted that soil attributes (for example texture, sodicity, pH) are expected to vary between acquired soil sites. As the variability of soil attributes within a map unit is difficult to predict, it is important to note that representative soils should be used as a guide only. The study report describing the project methodology and dataset attributes is available from the Victorian Resources Online website (http://vro.depi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/neregn.nsf/pages/ne_soil_landform_survey) DOI 10.4226/92/58e71be578ac0

A polygonal dataset of Regional Map Units (RMUs) in the Victorian Mallee. The dataset was created from the disaggregation of land systems originally defined by Rowan and Downes (1963). RMUs delineate areas of repeating landform component patterns that occur within a similar landscape context. They were created to provide the Mallee CMA with areas for priority investment to monitor, assess and manage regional land management issues, such as wind erosion. The units also assist in distinguishing the morphological variation in landform components, for example the difference in size of hummocks between the Tempy and Culgoa land systems. The RMUs have been attributed for their relative wind erosion susceptibility and have been embedded into the Victorian Geomorphological Framework. Each RMU therefore has a local naming context (eg: Central Mallee 1) and a statewide Geomorphological reference, eg: 5.1.2. The landform component grid developed by the same project, a 10 metre grid Digital Elevation Model (DEM), expert opinion and the GMU were key inputs into the creation of the landform units. An alpha-numeric code has been applied as the naming convention for these new landform units. The letter indicates the primary parent land system to which the unit is a member whilst the number reflects the number of units the land system has been divided into. The dataset was an output of the project "Disaggregation of landform components within land systems of the Mallee" and "Wind erosion susceptibility mapping" projects conducted by DPI between 2008 and 2011. These projects were sponsored by the Mallee Catchment Management Authority with funding from the Federal government's Caring for our Country initiative. The final project reports and the Rowan and Downes (1963) report , "A study of the land of north-western Victoria", should be referred to when analysing or utilising this dataset.

A spatial map layer of soil type (Australian Soil Classification) for Victoria. The harmonised map consists of 3,300 land units (totaling about 225,000 polygons) derived from around 100 soil and land surveys carried out in Victoria over the past 70 years. The land units have been attributed according to the Australian Soil Classification (Order and Suborder levels of the classification scheme) based on their likely dominant soil type. Particular attention was given to harmonising land units across survey boundaries. A reliability index has been assigned to each land unit based on the quality and relevance of the originating survey, providing a qualitative reliability measure to support interpretation and data use. Soil site data contained in the Victorian Soil Information System (VSIS), and information on the Victorian Resources Online (VRO) website and original study reports have been combined with landscape knowledge to develop the new maps. Data from approximately 10,000 existing sites recorded, mostly recorded in the VSIS have been used. The soil type is based on land mapping conducted at different times, at variable scale, and for different purposes. Land units are therefore of variable scale and quality in relation to the soil they are representing. Many units will be comprised of multiple soil types and a range of soil properties, and local variability (e.g. at paddock scale level) can also sometimes be high. The mapping, therefore, is intended to represent the dominant, or most prevalent, broad soil type within the map unit. It is therefore adequate for regional or state-wide overviews but may not often be accurate enough for localised or within-farm assessments. For more detailed soil and land information, users are advised to refer to the original land study for any given map unit (e.g. via Victorian Resources Online website).

This dataset is the primary data output from the Glenelg Hopkins land resource assessment project undertaken in 1999-2001. It contains soil and land information at a scale of 1:100 000 for all land in the south western corner of Victoria. The study also includes generic soil erosion risk assessments and agricultural capability, although these are mapped in separate datasets. At the map scale of this dataset soil-landform units are not homogeneous. For each defined soil-landform unit, the number and proportion of landforms and soil types will vary. A dominant soil type has been identified within each unit and soil property attributes provided by 'representative' sites. Importantly it should be noted that soil attributes (for example texture, sodicity, pH) are expected to vary between acquired soil sites. As the variability of soil attributes within a map unit is difficult to predict, it is important to note that representative soils should be used as a guide only. The study report describing the project methodology and dataset attributes is available from the Victorian Resources Online website (http://vro.depi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/glenregn.nsf/pages/glenelg_soil_map). DOI 10.4226/92/58e717be5073e

A polygonal map of wind erosion susceptibility in the Victorian Mallee. The dataset was created by assigning relative susceptibility classes to landform component data mapped during the disaggregation of land systems project (refer to separate metadata entry). The classifications represent the inherent susceptibility of the component to wind erosion based on its exposure to erosive winds and its 'likely' soil texture grade. In some instances a landform component has been split into facets in order to assign varying classes of susceptibility across the component. The project was sponsored by the Mallee Catchment Management Authority with funding from the Federal government's Caring for our Country initiative. The final project report, "Mallee wind erosion susceptibility mapping" together with the "Disaggregation of landform components within land systems of the Mallee", and the Rowan and Downes (1963) report , "A study of the land of north-western Victoria", should be referred to when analysing or utilising this dataset. Regional Map Units (RMUs) in the Mallee developed during the land system disaggregation project and refined in this project have been ranked for their overall wind erosion susceptibility. These units and the finer-scale grid data can be used to make spatially strategic decisions for investment in research, monitoring, protection and management relating to wind erosion in the region.

This dataset is the primary data output from the Goulburn Broken Dryland Regional Development Project conducted from 1998 to 2000. It contains soil and land information at a scale of 1:100 000 for all land in the region. At the map scale of this dataset soil-landform units are not homogeneous. For each defined soil-landform unit, the number and proportion of landforms and soil types will vary. A group or groups of soils have been associated with each unit. Representative sites and their associated profile properties are recorded in the study report. Importantly it should be noted that soil attributes (for example texture, sodicity, pH) are expected to vary between acquired soil sites. As the variability of soil attributes within a map unit is difficult to predict, it is important to note that representative soils should be used as a guide only.

The land systems of Victoria, as described and delineated by Rowan in 1989, provide a statewide coverage of land type that are applicable to a wide range of land resource management and planning programs. This dataset consolidates a broad range of land resource information drawn from an uneven base to provide a consistent, if limited, coverage of the lands of Victoria. The explicit links with the original sources of data have been retained. The data set was developed from a range of studies of varying methologies and intensities over some forty years. The reliability of the information varies across regions accordingly.

The Victorian Land Use Information System (VLUIS) 2016/17 dataset has been created by the Spatial Information Sciences Group of the Agriculture Victoria Research in the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport, and Resources. It covers the entire landmass of Victoria and separately describes the land tenure, land use and land cover across the state at the cadastral parcel level. The methodology for creating the VLUIS is described in Morse-McNabb et al. (2015) with the following notable changes: 1. Land use data provided by the Office of the Valuer-General of Victoria for the 2014 year has been used as a base input. Readily available sources of land use information from government and industry have been used to provide updates to the land tenure and land use components of the 2016/17 dataset. The source dataset and source date are recorded for each parcel. The land cover mapping method remains unchanged to previous versions of the VLUIS. 2. The Australian Land Use and Management (ALUM) Classification, version 8, has been added to the attribute table. The VLUIS land use code fields have been translated across to the ALUM classification. Version 8 has been used you can find the ALUM Classification on the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources ABARES ALUM page: http://www.agriculture.gov.au/abares/aclump/land-use/alum-classification. 3. Land parcels within urban areas, mapped in previous versions, have been masked out and have been renamed as Built Up Areas vastly reducing the size of the 2016/17 dataset. Land cover for Built Up Areas (LC_CODE = BUILT) is listed as null. 4. Road reserves and road parcels have been merged together and renamed Voids. Land cover for Voids (LC_CODE = VOID) is listed as null. 5. Parcels <12.5 hectares: land cover has not been attributed as the resolution of MODIS cannot support classifications of polygons smaller than 12.5 hectares. The data is in the form of an ESRI feature class. To use the VLUIS data correctly it is important to understand the difference between the three components of VLUIS. The Guidelines for land use mapping in Australia: principles, procedures and definitions, Edition 3 published in 2006 by the Commonwealth of Australia, defines them as follows: Land tenure is the form of an interest in land. Some forms of tenure (such as pastoral leases or nature conservation reserves) relate directly to land use and land management practice. Land use means the purpose to which the land cover is committed. Some land uses, such as agriculture, have a characteristic land cover pattern. These usually appear in land cover classifications. Other land uses, such as nature conservation, are not readily discriminated by a characteristic land cover pattern. For example, where the land cover is woodland, land use may be timber production or nature conservation. Land cover refers to the physical surface of the earth, including various combinations of vegetation types, soils, exposed rocks and water bodies as well as anthropogenic elements, such as agriculture and built environments. Land cover classes can usually be discriminated by characteristic patterns using remote sensing. A metadata statement, for the VLUIS product, and ESRI symbology files for the data can be freely downloaded from the VLUIS project page on the Victorian Resources Online website: http://vro.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/vluis DOI 10.26279/5b96043f7bd02

This dataset is the primary data output from the Wimmera land resource assessment project undertaken in 2004-06. It contains soil and land information at a scale of 1:100 000 for all freehold land in the Wimmera region of Victoria. The dataset was developed by the project "A Land Resource Assessment of the Wimmera Region" conducted by Robinson et al. (2006). This project was undertaken by DPI's PIRVic Division for the Wimmera Catchment Management Authority to provide consistent land resource information across the region. It utilised data from existing soil surveys at varying scales and intensity conducted over the previous 60 years, remote sensing information and additional field work to develop updated 1:100 000 scale soil/landform mapping across the region. The nominal scale of the dataset is appropriate for broadscale assessment of land capability and regional planning. At the map scale of this dataset soil-landform units are not homogeneous. For each defined soil-landform unit, soil types were identified and an assessment of their risk of degradation (compaction, erosion, sodicity and acidity) was made. Importantly it should be noted that soil attributes (for example texture, sodicity, pH) are expected to vary between acquired soil sites. As the variability of soil attributes within a map unit is difficult to predict, it is important to note that representative soils should be used as a guide only. The study report describing the project methodology and dataset attributes is available from the Victorian Resources Online website. DOI 10.4226/92/58e729e8aea3e

The Victorian Land Use Information System (VLUIS) 2016 dataset has been created by the Spatial Sciences Group of the Agriculture Victoria Research Division in the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport, and Resources. It covers the entire landmass of Victoria and separately describes the land tenure, land use and land cover across the state at the cadastral parcel level. The methodology for creating the VLUIS is described in Morse-McNabb et al. (2015) with the following notable changes: 1. Land use data provided by the Office of the Valuer-General of Victoria for the 2014 year has been used as a base input. Readily available sources of land use information from government and industry have been used to provide updates to the land tenure and land use components of the 2016 dataset. This update process has not been exhaustive and will continue as new data sources become available. Parcels that have been updated and the source of their updates have been recorded in the attribute table of the dataset. The land cover mapping method remains unchanged to previous versions of the VLUIS. 2. Land parcels within urban areas, mapped in previous versions, have been masked out vastly reducing the size of the 2016 dataset. The data is in the form of an ESRI feature class. To use the VLUIS data correctly it is important to understand the difference between the three components of VLUIS. The Guidelines for land use mapping in Australia: principles, procedures and definitions, Edition 3 published in 2006 by the Commonwealth of Australia, defines them as follows: Land tenure is the form of an interest in land. Some forms of tenure (such as pastoral leases or nature conservation reserves) relate directly to land use and land management practice. Land use means the purpose to which the land cover is committed. Some land uses, such as agriculture, have a characteristic land cover pattern. These usually appear in land cover classifications. Other land uses, such as nature conservation, are not readily discriminated by a characteristic land cover pattern. For example, where the land cover is woodland, land use may be timber production or nature conservation. Land cover refers to the physical surface of the earth, including various combinations of vegetation types, soils, exposed rocks and water bodies as well as anthropogenic elements, such as agriculture and built environments. Land cover classes can usually be discriminated by characteristic patterns using remote sensing. A metadata statement, for the VLUIS product, and ESRI symbology files for the data can be freely downloaded from the VLUIS project page on the Victorian Resources Online website: http://vro.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/vluis DOI 10.4226/92/590abbe6ea3f1