procedures found within the various soil conservation laws and can be directed at
land degradation processes associated with agriculture, urbanisation, and industrial
land uses.
13
For over 80 years, Australia has used a variety of technical, institutional, legislative, and strategic tools to achieve soil conservation. During the first 50 years, the
soil conservation effort remained relatively unchanged.
14 In the past 30 years,
however, the political, policy and legislative aspects of the soil conservation discipline have changed significantly. By the mid-1900s most states had introduced soil
conservation legislation and established some form of soil conservation institution,
or authority.
15 Some of these institutions developed highly integrated approaches to
soil conservation and became world-renowned, e.g. the Soil Conservation Service of
New South Wales.
16 Traditionally, soil conservation legislative responsibilities
focused on the control and mitigation of water and wind erosion in agricultural
and pastoral areas, in some cases from a catchment or river basin perspective.
17
Close interaction and cooperation with farmers and pastoralists were a hallmark of
these institutions. The Australian federal government maintained a coordinating role
with the states and the Australian Standing Committee on Soil Conservation, formed
in the 1950s had representatives from all states and the federal government. However, implementation remained, primarily, a state responsibility. A significant turning point for soil conservation in Australia was in the late 1970s when the federal
government coordinated a national evaluation of land degradation and soil conservation strategies and policies—“A Basis for Soil Conservation Policy in Australia”
(hereafter the “Collaborative Study”).
18
Conservation and Land Utilization Act 1980 “soil conservation treatment” means structural or
agronomic work for the purpose of the conservation of soil or reclamation of land.
13 New South Wales Soil Conservation Act 1938 Section 3, reference to “works” as (a) works
necessary for the conservation of soil or the mitigation of erosion and any operations incidental
thereto, or (b) works necessary for the conservation of water resources or the provision or
improvement of the water supply to farming lands for domestic or stock purposes”; under
Section 6 of the Queensland Soil Conservation Act 1986, “soil conservation measures” means
works, land management practices, undertakings, acts, proposals, prohibitions and things designed,
carried out, enforced or proposed to be carried out or enforced pursuant to this Act for the purpose of
soil conservation or controlling or directing run-off water flow.
14 Downes (1970) and Bradsen (1988).
15 Bradsen (1988).
16 Breckwoldt (1988).
17 Hannam (2003), pp. 112–115.
18 Australia (1978a) Report 1; Report 14.
Soil Legislation in Australia
185
land degradation processes associated with agriculture, urbanisation, and industrial
land uses.
13
For over 80 years, Australia has used a variety of technical, institutional, legislative, and strategic tools to achieve soil conservation. During the first 50 years, the
soil conservation effort remained relatively unchanged.
14 In the past 30 years,
however, the political, policy and legislative aspects of the soil conservation discipline have changed significantly. By the mid-1900s most states had introduced soil
conservation legislation and established some form of soil conservation institution,
or authority.
15 Some of these institutions developed highly integrated approaches to
soil conservation and became world-renowned, e.g. the Soil Conservation Service of
New South Wales.
16 Traditionally, soil conservation legislative responsibilities
focused on the control and mitigation of water and wind erosion in agricultural
and pastoral areas, in some cases from a catchment or river basin perspective.
17
Close interaction and cooperation with farmers and pastoralists were a hallmark of
these institutions. The Australian federal government maintained a coordinating role
with the states and the Australian Standing Committee on Soil Conservation, formed
in the 1950s had representatives from all states and the federal government. However, implementation remained, primarily, a state responsibility. A significant turning point for soil conservation in Australia was in the late 1970s when the federal
government coordinated a national evaluation of land degradation and soil conservation strategies and policies—“A Basis for Soil Conservation Policy in Australia”
(hereafter the “Collaborative Study”).
18
Conservation and Land Utilization Act 1980 “soil conservation treatment” means structural or
agronomic work for the purpose of the conservation of soil or reclamation of land.
13 New South Wales Soil Conservation Act 1938 Section 3, reference to “works” as (a) works
necessary for the conservation of soil or the mitigation of erosion and any operations incidental
thereto, or (b) works necessary for the conservation of water resources or the provision or
improvement of the water supply to farming lands for domestic or stock purposes”; under
Section 6 of the Queensland Soil Conservation Act 1986, “soil conservation measures” means
works, land management practices, undertakings, acts, proposals, prohibitions and things designed,
carried out, enforced or proposed to be carried out or enforced pursuant to this Act for the purpose of
soil conservation or controlling or directing run-off water flow.
14 Downes (1970) and Bradsen (1988).
15 Bradsen (1988).
16 Breckwoldt (1988).
17 Hannam (2003), pp. 112–115.
18 Australia (1978a) Report 1; Report 14.
Soil Legislation in Australia
185