The Werribee Salinity Province is a moderate sized province located on the western edge of the Melbourne metropolitan area. It covers about 10 km either side of the Princes Highway/Freeway from the suburb of Sunshine, to an area about 10 km west of the Werribee urban centre. About 20 % of the province is urbanised (mostly in the province’s east and centre), the remainder being a mix of small dryland agricultural enterprises (mostly grazing on improved pastures) and ‘Hobby Farms’. The small Werribee Irrigation Area is also located within the province, southwest of the Werribee urban area; landuse in this area involves intensive agriculture including flowers and vegetables. Being designated growth areas, major residential developments in the east and centre of the province are likely to have significant effects on its catchment hydrology and associated soil & water salinity. |
Catchment Management Region: | PORT PHILLIP & WESTERNPORT |
Priority Status: | High |
Province Area: | 42670 ha |
Recorded Soil Salinity Area 1: | 389 ha |
Dominant Surface Geology Type: | Sedimentary |
Influence of Geological Structure on Salinity Occurrence/s: | None |
Relevant Geomorphological Mapping Units (GMUs): | 6.1.3, 6.2.5 |
Predominant Groundwater Flow Systems (GFSs): | Regional, Local/Intermediate & Intermediate/Regional |
Relevant Irrigation Areas: | Werribee |