The demolition yorke peninsula is a region of extraordinary beauty and interest. It is a place where people can experience nature at its most raw and unspoiled. The area is rich in natural and cultural history. In addition, its geography makes it an ideal location for the reintroduction of indigenous species. Surrounded by sea on three sides it provides an isolated environment with large areas of high quality native vegetation. These will provide habitat for small, native predatory species such as the western quoll and brush-tailed bettong. Their return will also benefit agriculture by providing a natural control of rabbits and house mice which have major economic impacts. These positive effects will flow-on to both the agricultural industry and the local economy. The Yorke Peninsula’s unique landscape is the backdrop for the Marna Banggara (Great Southern Ark) project which aims to restore native species to this spectacular and diverse region.
When white people first arrived in South Australia the area was used exclusively for sheep grazing. Vast tracts of land were leased by pastoralists from the government. These were often divided into hundreds of hectares and were sold at cash and prepayment. Small farmers found it impossible to grow crops and support a family on the standard 80 acre [32 hectare] blocks which were too small to rest the soil by crop rotation.
As the farming industry became more established, a new emphasis began to be placed on land management. This included the development of soil conservation boards that evolved into NRM and landscape boards. There was also a strong push to encourage property owners to re-vegetate their land with trees and shrubs.
Today the region is a leading grain growing area, with a focus on wheat, barley (much of it malting quality) and pulse crops. The scope of Department of Agriculture services reflects this changing land use with the appointment of a district Agricultural Adviser covering all aspects of crop and pasture production on the Yorke Peninsula, north to Celements Gap and east to Brinkworth, Bowillia and Port Wakefield.
A specialist Crop Protection Adviser has also been appointed to address pests, diseases and weeds in crops.
A wide variety of property sales, both clearing and private stock and livestock, were effected during the past year. Auctioneers handled 21 clearing sales and a similar number of stock market, private and livestock sales. The lower part of the peninsula contains very good grazing country of several classes and is well suited to cattle, horses and sheep. The soil is sandy, and the climate is very agreeable. The beaches are a paradise for conchologists, and shells of many varieties may be collected in profusion.