GENERAL INFORMATION

Features: The close proximity of agriculture to inland freshwater wetlands, and the hypersaline, internationally recognised Coorong, is the particular feature of the Upper South East catchment. Most of the agricultural land has been cleared and developed over the past 30-40 years on the low hills and flats running parallel to the coast. Rising water tables have resulted in very serious salinisation of valley floors and degradation of productive lands and remnant vegetation. The challenge is to identify sustainable land management options which do not impact adversely on the Coorong and other wetlands. A major environmental study has proposed a complex drainage scheme to reduce waterlogging, control groundwater levels, and facilitate the re-establishment of agricultural land use systems.

Area: 700,000ha

Climate: Rainfall ~ 450-550mm. Evaporation ~ 1100 mm/yr.

Main Landuse: 434 farmed enterprises. Grazing - cattle, sheep for wool and meat. Limited areas of cropping.