Agricultural Development Assessment Service: Definition and Requirements
An Agricultural Development Assessment involves analyzing the potential impacts of development proposals and land use changes on agricultural resources, productivity and viability. These assessments are undertaken to meet requirements of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
The assessments are conducted by qualified specialists like agronomists, soil scientists and ecologists engaged by proponents. They provide recommendations to avoid, minimize or mitigate negative effects on agriculture from developments.
Agricultural assessments ultimately help build more sustainable land use by identifying agricultural constraints and opportunities early in the planning process. This informs decisions that balance development with protecting resources that support farming and food production.
Australia implements various policies and measures supporting economically and environmentally sustainable agriculture. Assessments reinforce this approach by enabling informed planning that maintains biodiversity, natural resources and rural livelihoods for the future.
Key legislation mandating assessments includes the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 which specifies thresholds and development types requiring detailed agricultural impact analysis. Councils may also request assessments for developments affecting farming lands.
What is the Agricultural Development Assessment?
An Agricultural Development Assessment provides an in-depth analysis of the potential impacts of development proposals and land use changes on agricultural resources, productivity and viability.
The main purpose is to identify constraints and opportunities to avoid and mitigate negative effects on agriculture from new developments. This prevents unnecessary loss of productive crop and pasture lands.
Assessments enable informed planning decisions that balance development needs while conserving the natural resources that underpin farming and food production.
Some key benefits in conducting assessments include:
- Protecting finite soil resources from degradation through excessive clearing or inappropriate land use.
- Maintaining reliable water access for agriculture through responsible catchment management.
- Minimising introduction of weeds, pests and diseases that can devastate farms.
- Avoiding fragmentation of agricultural infrastructure and supply chains.
- Preventing conflicts between incompatible land uses like rural residential encroachment.
- Conserving environmental conditions suitable for sustained food production.
Potential disasters prevented include pollution of waterways, uncontrolled clearing of high quality soils, and spreading of pathogens between properties. Assessments provide foresight to avoid these risks.
For example, an assessment may prevent uncontrolled clearing of rare fertile black soils ideal for crops. Or avoid a housing development severing connections between farms and agricultural processing facilities.
What laws apply to Agricultural Development Assessment?
In NSW, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 and Regulation 2000 mandate Agricultural Development Assessments for many development types. An assessment may also be required under some Local Environment Plans and State Environmental Planning Policies.
Other states like Queensland have similar legislation requiring agricultural impact analysis in development assessment processes.
Who needs an Agricultural Development Assessment in NSW?
In NSW, proponents of development applications for subdivisions, intensive livestock operations, mining, dams, tourism facilities and other non-agriculture developments on rural land generally need an Agricultural Development Assessment.
Local councils may also request assessments for any application potentially affecting agricultural resources under the "public interest" considerations in the EP&A Act.
What does an Agricultural Development Assessment include?
An Agricultural Development Assessment contains detailed technical analysis across a range of factors affecting agricultural productivity and sustainability. This may include:
- Assessment of soil quality, topography and land capability for agriculture. This determines suitability for various farming uses.
- Evaluation of water resources like groundwater, dams, rivers and irrigation infrastructure supporting agriculture in the area.
- Documentation of native vegetation, ecosystems and biodiversity on and near the site which underpin productivity.
- Climate analysis examining temperature, rainfall, crop requirements and potential changes under climate projections.
- Mapping of agricultural land units, infrastructure, resources, and separation areas.
- Agricultural economic impact assessment to model viability effects.
- Evaluation of land use conflicts, fragmentation and encroachment risks.
- Analysis of weeds, pests and biosecurity risks that could be introduced.
- Identification of downstream agricultural operations that could be impacted.
The assessment draws on inputs from various specialists like soil scientists, agronomists and ecologists. Their investigations inform recommendations for avoiding, minimising or mitigating negative impacts on agriculture.
1. Conducting analysis on Soil quality
An Agricultural Development Assessment involves detailed analysis of the soil quality on sites proposed for development. This includes testing key characteristics like soil structure, acidity, salinity, water holding capacity, organic carbon levels and presence of contaminants.
Assessing soil quality determines the agricultural suitability of the land, potential for erosion, and any remediation required. It identifies prime crop lands to be preserved and constraints requiring management.
2. Evaluating the availability of Water resources
The assessment examines the availability and source of water resources supporting agriculture on and surrounding the site. This encompasses groundwater sources, on-site dams, proximity to watercourses or irrigation channels, water entitlements and licensing, and reliability of supply for continued agricultural use.
3. Documenting and assessing the Biodiversity
Biodiversity assessments within Agricultural Development Assessments involve documenting native vegetation, fauna habitat and ecosystems on site that underpin agricultural productivity. Sensitive areas requiring protection like wetlands and remnant bushland are identified. Impacts on connectivity for agriculture are analysed.
4. Assessing the Climate conditions of area
The local climatic conditions are analysed including rainfall, temperatures, frost risk, and microclimates created by vegetation that affect suitability for crops. Climate change projections may be considered regarding long-term agricultural viability. On-site weather stations can provide data.
What are the methods used to perform an Agricultural Development Assessment?
Standard scientific methods applied in an Agricultural Development Assessment include:
- Desktop analysis of available agricultural data, mapping and production statistics.
- Review of legislation, regulations, zoning, and policy relevant to agriculture.
- Stakeholder and landowner consultation to understand issues and values.
- Site inspection and field surveys to collect primary data on soils, water, climate, ecosystems.
- Laboratory testing of soil samples for fertility, structure and contaminants.
- Mapping of agricultural land suitability classes, infrastructure, resources, and constraints.
- Agricultural economic impact modelling tools to estimate effects on viability.
- Hydrological assessment of on-site and neighbouring water resources.
- Climate analysis of rainfall, temperature, crop requirements and hazards.
- Assessment of land use conflict, fragmentation and encroachment risks.
- Evaluation of mitigation and management measures using best practice guidelines.
- Technical reporting bringing together all research, findings, analysis and recommendations.
These established assessment techniques provide a rigorous framework for evaluating agricultural resources and systems. They allow collection of comprehensive evidence-based data to inform planning decisions and minimise potential impacts.
How do Agricultural Development Assessments help environmental impacts?
Assessments identify constraints allowing avoidance of land degradation from excessive clearing or irrigation. They minimise biodiversity loss, preserve waterways, and stop agricultural runoff. Assessments support sustainable land management.
Who is responsible for conducting an Agricultural Development Assessment?
Accredited environmental consultants and agricultural specialists normally undertake Agricultural Development Assessments. This work is typically led by ecologists or agronomists with expertise in agricultural systems and natural resources.
Ecologists have suitable qualifications and knowledge for conducting the assessments. They possess:
- Tertiary qualifications in environmental science, ecology or related disciplines.
- In-depth understanding of the interplay between agricultural productivity and ecosystems.
- Experience assessing biodiversity, soils, climate, water resources and sustainability factors integral to agriculture.
- Skills in undertaking field work, spatial analysis, impact assessment and technical reporting.
- Familiarity with relevant environment and planning regulations.
Agronomists also have credentials in agricultural science, crop production, soil science, and plant biology to assess agricultural suitability. Other specialists like hydrologists may provide input.
This collective expertise from properly qualified professionals ensures Agricultural Assessments are comprehensive. Their skills in evaluating agricultural resources and recommending appropriate management measures are vital for sustainable land use planning.
What does Australia do for agriculture?
Agriculture is a vital industry for Australia, contributing around 2% of national GDP. Australian agriculture aims to be innovative, sustainable and internationally competitive.
Key initiatives and investments by the Australian government to support agriculture include:
- The Agricultural Innovation Agenda provides over $650 million for initiatives like research grants, data analysis tools, and accelerating technology adoption. This aims to lift productivity and resilience.
- Water management programs like the $13 billion Murray-Darling Basin Plan maintain river health while sustaining farming.
- Schemes such as Farm Management Deposits and tax incentives for primary producers to help manage unpredictability and cash flow.
- Investing over $824 million in improved biosecurity systems to exclude pests and diseases threatening agriculture.
- Providing drought relief packages, concessional loans and climate analysis to help farmers manage climate risks.
- Negotiating free trade agreements like the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to improve export market access.
- Implementing agriculture visa programs to fill worker shortages in the sector.
Sustainability is also a focus, with measures like vegetation protection laws, investments in soil mapping, and incentives for carbon farming. Agriculture needs to maintain both productivity and its natural resource base for the future. Assessments assist this.
What is the agriculture industry action plan NSW?
The NSW Agriculture Industry Action Plan is a strategy adopted by the NSW Department of Primary Industries in 2015 to boost productivity, resilience and prosperity across the state's agriculture sector.
The plan targets priority industries including beef, sheep, grains, dairy, pork, poultry, eggs, rice, honey, viticulture, cotton, forestry and fishing.
The Action Plan aims to position NSW as an innovative, globally competitive food and fibre producer by focusing on:
- Building skills and capacity
- Enhancing access to water resources
- Developing infrastructure like transport and processing facilities
- Reducing regulation and costs
- Improving market access
- Adopting new technology and practices
- Increasing resilience to risks like drought and climate change
The plan provides a blueprint for agriculture to continue as a major economic contributor for regional NSW while adapting to future challenges through coordinated initiatives.
What is the future of agriculture in Australia?
Some potential scenarios for the future of agriculture in Australia include:
- Increased efficiency and yields - According to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics, innovation and technology adoption will drive higher productivity in established agriculture industries like beef, sheep farming and horticulture. Precision agriculture can boost efficiency.
- Growth in intensive and protected cropping - Greenhouse and vertical farming techniques may expand, especially for high value horticulture near cities, as reported by the CSIRO. Hydroponics, aeroponics and aquaponics maximise crop yields on smaller land areas.
- Changing crop varieties - The CSIRO anticipates growth in alternative cereals, pulses, oils, pastures and forages that are better suited to warmer and drier conditions under climate change.
- Rise of carbon farming - ABC News suggests the agriculture sector will increasingly adopt carbon farming methods like avoiding deforestation, regenerative agriculture and revegetation to reduce emissions and generate carbon credits.
However, challenges like climate change, water security issues and global competition present risks for Australian agriculture. Appropriate planning and impact assessment through tools like Agricultural Development Assessments will be vital for enabling sustainable and productive farming systems into the future.
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