Land Settlement in Queensland: A Review

Abstract

T is gratifying to note that in the period reconstruction and redeployment following the Second World War Australia is not incautiously urging the settlement its empty spaces. The boosters are at it again, to be sure; but this time curbs on their exuberance are not limited to mere handful scientists crying in the wilderness. In the interval between wars Australia has become better informed about the limitations the outback, and this is true both officialdom and the lay public. The reasons? Bitter memories the I920'S and I930's, for one thing. Wider dissemination information about the unoccupied or loosely occupied parts the country, for another. And probably also growing awareness that there is no easy or one track road to national welfare and national security. Government documents, books, magazine articles, newspaper comments, and radio speeches all bear witness to the changing attitude. In illustration we shall here discuss some recent publications in the first category. They relate to Queensland, but in concept and method theyare applicable to other parts the continent. In 1944, Queensland created Bureau Investigation charged with continuously investigating and classifying the state's land and water resources, making recommendations for their development, and reporting on progress. A first technical report deals with the Channel Country the southwest comer the state,' comprising the anastomosed parts the flood plains the Mulligan, Georgina, Diamantina, and Bulloo Rivers and Cooper's Creek, a remarkable natural fattening paddock from which some the finest-quality meat in Australia has been produced. Its development has been handicapped by irregularity seasons and lack transport. Pasturage is dependent on the annual floods, and of the 57 years since 1892, 22 years have given floods so small as to be almost useless ... Five floods have completely inundated the whole flood plain . . . [and] during eight other years ... substantial portion the higher levels the flood plain. The map transportation in eastern Australia from the summary report2 (Fig. I is drawn from it) enables one to appreciate the second handicap. Cattle to be fattened come to the Channel Country from the Northern Territory and northern Queensland; they are sent to the southern states. The distances are great. The general economic setting the Channel Country is shown on the maps land use, actual and potential, accompanying the Fifth Annual Report the Bureau Investigation.3 The maps are in color, on the scale 60 miles to the inch, and they reveal with admirable clarity the essentially pastoral character the state-the narrow, interrupted belt cultivation along the east coast; the broad sheep area roughly between the 5and 20-inch rainfall lines; and the cattle country to the east, north, and south.