BDTNRM is working with North Queensland Soil
Assessment to develop a comprehensive database and GIS maps of the
soils of the Giru area.Soil scientist, Jim McClurg is
collecting and examining 400 soil cores from cane farms and
grazing properties throughout the 7 , 000
Ha Giru area.Giru is the only remaining area in the
Lower Burdekin that has not been mapped for soil type and
agricultural land suitability.
The Giru soils database and mapping
information will be used by local councils planning for future use
of the region and will help with management decisions. It is also a
valuable asset for landowners when making managment decisions and
completing Land and Water Managment Plans.
Project Update
In June 2006 Jim McClurg said “We
examine the soil cores from a trailer mounted hydraulic soil coring
machine. We have taken around 150 soil cores so far.
The landholders have been very helpful, which is greatly
appreciated”. He went on to say that,
"The wet season slowed us down but now the paddocks are
drying out we can take the equipment back onto people's
properties".
Work so far indicates that the Haughton River levee soils
are quite narrow. Relatively large areas of
lower lying Barratta clays (or 2Ug soils) are found between the
Haughton River and Healey's lagoon. As expected, the levee
soils associated with Healy's Lagoon indicate that it may have been
an older Haughton River channel. Acid sulfate soils are common
northeast of Woodstock road and the Bruce Highway.