Darling Downs

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