Land capability for annual horticulture in the south west of Western Australia based on analysis and interpretation of the best available soil-landscape mapping dataset (DPIRD-027). Land capability refers to the ability of land to support a type of land use without causing damage. See DAFWA Resource Management Technical Report 298 for a description of the qualities assessed and the methodology involved. The assessment for annual horticulture covers the production of irrigated horticultural crops from plants with short-term life cycles (typically completed within the period of a year). Crops include annual fruits (strawberries, melons, etc.), vegetables (e.g. potatoes, lettuce, cabbages, tomatoes, pumpkins, etc.), commercial turf production and cut flowers. The assumptions for the land use as assessed include: • crops are grown for commercial production • crops are shallow-rooted with most roots using only the top 50 cm of soil • crops are irrigated using sprinkler or trickle systems • mechanised cultivation occurs at least annually • fertilisers and herbicides, fungicides and/or pesticides are broadcast at least annually • crop rotation is practised • considers physical requirements only and ignores socio-economic factors. Capability ratings do not take into account factors such as the availability and quality of water supplies for irrigation or climatic risks such as frost or heat stress. Such factors need to be considered as a separate layer of information.

Generalised land use regions based on their primary agricultural land use.

The Wheatbelt boundary of Western Australia defines the area of cropping for wheat in Western Australia. This dataset was created in August 2009 to accurately define the limit of cropping for wheat in Western Australia. The western/southern limit was defined using interpretation of the best available aerial photography. The Clearing Line October 2002 was used to define the eastern limit of cropping. The data set updated in June 2012 to incorporate 2011 recapture of the Clearing Line to define the eastern limit of cropping.

The Potential Agricultural Land Initial Analysis mapping layer was produced as part of the agricultural land mapping project commissioned by the Department of Justice, Planning Policy Unit on behalf of the Minister for Planning and Local Government to assist local government in applying the Agriculture Zone as part of the Local Provisions Schedules in the Tasmanian Planning Scheme. The agricultural land mapping project aims to provide support for the recalibrated rural zones in the State Planning Provisions, the Rural Zone and Agriculture Zone, specifically to provide guidance to local government in spatially applying the Agriculture Zone. This layer represents the land identified and mapped through the initial analysis of the project as outlined in the Agricultural Land Mapping Project - Background Report: http://planningreform.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/390874/Agricultural_Land_Mapping_Project_-Background_Report-_May_2017.pdf. This layer should be viewed in conjunction with the Land Potentially Suitable for the Agriculture Zone mapping layer. It is provided to assist with the interpretation of the Land Potentially Suitable for the Agriculture Zone mapping layer as an additional analysis tool for determining the suitability of the land for the Agriculture Zone. The mapping should also be used in conjunction with Guideline No. 1 - Local Provisions Schedule (LPS): zone and code application: http://www.planning.tas.gov.au/news/news_items/guidance_for_drafting_lps.

The Land Potentially Suitable for the Agriculture Zone mapping layer was produced as part of the agricultural land mapping project commissioned by the Department of Justice, Planning Policy Unit on behalf of the Minister for Planning and Local Government to assist local government in applying the Agriculture Zone as part of the Local Provisions Schedules in the Tasmanian Planning Scheme. The agricultural land mapping project aims to provide support for the recalibrated rural zones in the State Planning Provisions, the Rural Zone and Agriculture Zone, specifically to provide guidance to local government in spatially applying the Agriculture Zone. This layer represents the refined mapping of land that has been subject to a series of filters to determine potential constraints as outlined in the Agricultural Land Mapping Project â Background Report: http://planningreform.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/390874/Agricultural_Land_Mapping_Project_-Background_Report-_May_2017.pdf. The filters cover issues such as: suitability of the title to sustainably support agriculture, including potential access to irrigation water; consideration of existing forestry land; and potential constraints for agricultural use, including potential economic or physical barriers, and potential land use conflicts. The mapping has also been aligned to cadastre boundaries. This layer should be viewed in conjunction with the Potential Agricultural Land Initial Analysis mapping layer, which provides an additional analysis tool for determining the suitability of the land for the Agriculture Zone. The mapping should also be used in conjunction with Guideline No. 1 â Local Provisions Schedule (LPS): zone and code application: http://www.planning.tas.gov.au/news/news_items/guidance_for_drafting_lps.

Site information for soil profile information collected from field observations and sampling in both the agricultural and rangeland areas of Western Australia. Data has been entered from field site cards into a database.