Darling Downs soil map, 1952

Dalby, QLD
Australia
27° 10' 59.8296" S, 151° 15' 49.4928" E
1 January 1952
15 April 2011
15 April 2011

Location

Dalby, QLD
Australia
27° 10' 59.8296" S, 151° 15' 49.4928" E
Brisbane
Bureau of Investigation

Collection of the University of Queensland Library

Darling Downs soil map, 1952. Under the Land and Water Resources Development Acts, 1943 to 1946, the Bureau of Investigation presented its eighth annual report in October 1952. The report commented on the potential for further agricultural development of the Darling Downs and included a ‘tentative’ soil map based upon ground traverses and inspection of aerial photographs. According to the Bureau of Investigation, soldier settlement had contributed significantly to development, however, there were still large areas available for agricultural production on the western section of the Downs. Where Brigalow once stood between Warra and Jandowae, wheat growing was another option, while the open grassland between Dalby and Brookstead could be ‘brought under the plough’. Development of winter crops like linseed and wheat were expected west of the Condamine. According to the Bureau, these areas comprised of older alluvia than the fertile black soil plains and would require fertilizer. Similarly with the application of fertilizer the ‘sandier portions from Kurrawa towards Lake Broadwater’ had the potential for winter cropping. Maps such as this demonstrated the growing significance of soil science for the economic development and exploitation of the land. Queensland parliamentary papers, vol 2, 1952

Aerial survey map west of Tully, 1936

Kennedy, QLD
Australia
18° 12' 17.8812" S, 145° 57' 21.8772" E
1 January 1936
12 April 2011
12 April 2011

Location

Kennedy, QLD
Australia
18° 12' 17.8812" S, 145° 57' 21.8772" E
Department of Lands

Aerial survey map west of Tully, 1936. In the 1930s, the rugged jungle country west of Tully presented numerous challenges for ground survey and remained ‘practically terra incognita’ as far as the Survey Office was concerned. Developments in aerial survey provided opportunities to examine large tracts of land and determine their value for exploitation. In 1936, Adastra Airways Ltd was contracted for the aerial survey of about 650 square miles. The company established its headquarters in Cairns and despite bad weather, succeeded in surveying approximately 560 square miles. Examination of the feature maps prepared from the photography revealed extensive scrub in the Tully and Jarra Creek valleys which had the potential for settlement. In this aerial mosaic, topographic features were highlighted including the Kennedy-Kirrama road under construction which would provide access to the valuable timbers in the Kirrama State Forest. This road was partially financed through unemployment relief funds made available during the Depression. Queensland parliamentary papers, Vol 2, 1936-37

Every stage in the mapping of Queensland reflects both the changing perceptions of the country, and the state of contemporary technology.

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