Restoring Soil Function for Landscape Performance

Operating under a regulated Salinity Offset Scheme (SOS) to manage net salt export from their operations this client required an updated understanding of how much salt was being exported from the site - either through surface runoff or deep aquifer drainage. This was essential to ensure continued compliance with their Environmental Protection Licence (EPL) and to refine the size and scope of their Salinity Offset. 

Pumped hydro energy storage is gaining momentum as a critical component of Australia’s renewable energy transition. While environmentally beneficial in operation, their development requires significant infrastructure—such as roads, pipelines, and reservoirs—that can impact soil health, increase erosion risk, and reduce land suitability for agriculture. This case study demonstrates how Verterra approaches risk assessment for these projects.

As wind energy projects increasingly seek locations that reduce public resistance to visual and noise impacts, forested areas have emerged as preferred sites for development. However, constructing access roads and transmission corridors through these landscapes introduces potential risks to land condition, erosion rates, and future land use, particularly for forestry and agriculture. This case study looks at how these risks can be assessed and managed effectively.

Verterra delivered a well informed and practical guideline that will provide irrigators guidance on how new irrigation developments can achieve net zero impact on the groundwater table and support sustainable growth in the Lower Burdekin Area.

As part of the Rookwood Weir water release tendering process, Verterra worked closely with 10 landholders to prepare Agriculture Development plans and Business plans to assist landholders evaluate their development options and enable them to bid for new water allocations.

Verterra engaged with 60 horticultural growers (macadamia, avocado, sweet potato) in the Burnett-Mary Horticultural region, providing growers with detailed farm mapping (EM), soil analysis and agronomic advice designed to promote best outcomes in nutrient management and soil health for increased farm productivity.

Synergies Economic Consulting was engaged by Sunwater to provide advice on the economics of crop options for the proposed new irrigation development at Rookwood Weir. Verterra was requested to support Synergies by providing agronomic advice on crop suitability for the range of soils within thin Rookwood Weir irrigation zone, the range in expected crop productivities, and projected crop water demand.

For over 20 years various cotton growing trials have been undertaken in the Far North and North West of Queensland. Multiple proponents have contemplated the development of a cotton gin to increase the production efficiency of cotton cropping in the region.