South Coast NRM Subregions
Esperance Regional Forum
Esperance Sandplain
The Esperance Sandplain sub-region is a 40-50km wide coastal strip taking in the towns of Munglinup, Esperance and Condingup. West of Esperance, the second largest town of the South Coast region, is the Oldfield-Munglinup, Young, Lort and Dalyup River catchments. To the east are Coramup, Bandy and numerous other smaller creeks. Rainfall ranges from more than 600mm per annum in the south to 400mm per annum in the north.
Soil of the area is dominantly aeolian in nature with deep fine sandy deposits overlying yellow to grey siltstone and spongeolite Eocene sediments. The sandy nature of the soils poses problems of wind erosion and water repellence while a shallow clayey subsoil in many areas results in waterlogging. The relatively reliable rainfall means that the area has a high potential for perennial crops and trees.
The area was first settled for grazing in the mid to late 1800's, with the development of Esperance port facilities providing the impetus for significant growth of the town as a regional centre in the late 1800's.
Agricultural importance of the sub region declined in the early 1900's until a boom in grain production around the mid 1920's. This was followed by another boom in the 1960's with the introduction of super phosphate fertiliser. Agriculture production focussing on wheat and barley grown in rotation with lupins, canola and subterranean or medic pasture is still the dominant industry throughout the sub region.
Agricultural production for the area has the potential to significantly improve through the incorporation of soil or site specific alternative land uses such as perennial pastures for improved soil-water use with current agricultural land use practices. Other developing land use activities for niche areas include high value farm forestry, blue gum and Pinus pinaster plantations, olives, inland aquaculture and wildflowers. One successful vineyard has been developed adjacent the Dalyup River.
Esperance Mallee
The Esperance Mallee sub-region lies north of the Esperance Sandplain and takes in the towns of Scaddan and Salmon Gums. Rainfall is low, in the order of 400-300mm per annum.
The sub-region characteristically comprises a level to very gently inclined, internally drained landscape. Clusters of natural salt lake systems are common and it is possible that these sumps deliver some protection to surrounding areas from rising groundwater, which is very saline.
Much of the northern area of the Esperance Mallee sub-region (eg. Salmon Gums and Grass Patch localities) was investigated for its agricultural potential in the 1930's. The development of a harbour facility at the town of Esperance, together with the introduction of super phosphate and trace elements (Cu, Zn, Mo) in the 1960's, saw significant growth in the agricultural enterprises throughout the sub region.
Extensive cropping is highly profitable, with the main cereal crops of wheat and barley being grown in rotation with canola, lupins, field peas and subterranean or medic pasture. Livestock industries are also important. These include beef cattle, wool production and fat lambs.
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