Soil conservation plans

About soil conservation plans

Soil conservation plans show how runoff can be controlled and guided through a property to minimise erosion. The preparation of a soil conservation plan requires consideration of many issues including:

• soil types
• topography
• current and proposed land use and management
• remnant vegetation
• property infrastructure, and
• runoff co-ordination with neighbouring properties and road and rail drainage.

Soil conservation plans show:

• drainage and topography (e.g. natural watercourses, culverts, inverts, land slope)
• land use
• existing infrastructure (e.g. buildings, fences, dams) and
• applicable protection measures (e.g. waterways, diversion banks, contour banks, direction of flow, strip cropping).

These plans are created through consultation with the government. You can start the process of creating a soil conservation plan if you are a:

• landowner
• local government
• natural resource management (NRM) group
• interested/involved stakeholder.

Viewing plans on Queensland Globe

To see if a property is covered by a soil conservation plan, view the coverage of plans for Queensland using the Queensland Globe. After you have accessed the Globe:

1. On the left-hand side of the screen click on Layers.
2. Next, click on Add Layers and click on the dropdown arrow beside Farming.
3. Then, select Soil Conservation Plans.

To request a copy of a soil conservation plan, contact soil.enquiry@qld.gov.au and refer to the property description, Project Plan Name or Property Plan Number.

Read more about using Queensland Globe.

Types of plans

The Soil Conservation Act 1986 provides for the approval of soil conservation plans to co-ordinate runoff for erosion control. The plans can take 2 forms:

• property plans
• project plans.

Soil conservation plans are a legislative tool and are used to coordinate runoff flow between adjoining properties. All present and future owners are required to abide by these plans. Both approved property plans and project plans can be changed to accommodate circumstances that differ from those applying at the time of approval. Soil conservation plans may be amended or revoked through formal agreement by affected parties, and in consultation with the Chief Executive of the administering department.

For more information, contact soil.enquiry@qld.gov.au

Property plans

An approved property plan consists of a map and specifications for the soil conservation structures and practices necessary to control erosion. It can cover the whole of a property or just part of it. A property plan prepared for approval may have proposed soil conservation works that will have an effect on one or more neighbouring properties. Some of these neighbouring properties may be deemed to be ‘affected’ with requirements relating to runoff patterns, therefore the owner/s of the affected lands need to accept the plans.

As of August 2021, there are more than 2,500 approved property plans in Queensland cropping districts, mostly located on the eastern Darling Downs. Other areas include Bundaberg, South Burnett, Central Highlands and the Atherton Tablelands. Many of these approved property plans have affected neighbouring lands.

Project plans

Project plans apply to planning works that extend across a group of properties in a catchment. They are also used where key soil conservation works (referred to as community works) are the responsibility of a statutory authority. Project plans usually cover 10 to 20 properties. As of August 2021, there are 98 project plans across Queensland, with the vast majority prepared for areas in the eastern Darling Downs. Project plans also exist in the Bundaberg, Kingaroy and Mareeba regions.

There are specific steps to take to get a property plan or project plan approved, amended, or its approval revoked.

Non-statutory plans

Non-statutory plans are soil conservation plans that have not been approved under the Soil Conservation Act 1986. These plans were created and voluntarily implemented prior to the approval processes under relevant legislation, or where approval was not required. Many properties covered by these plans are identified by a label in the Queensland Globe. These plans may be referenced by a landholder, local government or other stakeholder to identify appropriately planned, and often implemented, soil conservation works.