Aubigny Catchment Landcare Group.

 

Following a public meeting held at Biddeston on 31st August 1998, a committee was appointed to look at the formation of a landcare group. The public meeting was called to ascertain community commitment to addressing the land resource issues of the catchment. The Aubigny Catchment Group was formed in September 1998, with John Williams elected Chairman and Marilyne Schefe Secretary/Treasurer

The group obtained maps of the catchment and a list of all landholders from Jondaryan Shire Council. All the landholders were posted surveys in order for the group to gather information as to the range and extent of land resource management issues and priorities for the catchment. The priority issues identified were –

•Soil erosion on cultivated land and gully erosion on sloping country

•Woody and environmental weed control and management

•Pasture and vegetation decline and management

•Community education, communication and awareness as to land management issues

 

The Aubigny catchment is located approximately 20 kms west of Toowoomba on the Cecil Plains Road, and extends to the edge of the Condamine floodplain about 15 kms further west. Although there are no recognised creeks or streams arising in the catchment, the area is an important watershed, releasing large volumes of run off water onto the floodplains in times of heavy rainfall. This run off water has and does cause severe problems, both in erosion in the uplands and overland flow after dispersal onto the plains.

Soil conservation project plans were developed for the entire catchment in the late 1970’s, and although much of this planning has been implemented, there is still large areas of country not protected. 

Land types vary from steep timbered country to the east to deep alluvial black soil plains country to the west. Soils on the slopes vary from red-brown earths on stony ridges, to darker brown and black earths on the lower slopes which are predominately cultivated. Deep gully erosion on the slopes reveals deep sedimentary layers in some areas and gravel sub-soil, layers in other areas. With contour banks on the slopes and strip farming on the plains, cultivation is generally productive and sustainable.

There is also about 2200 hectares of scrub and timbered country remaining on the north, south and eastern boundaries, as well as ridges through the catchment centre.

 

 

 

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