Avon - Natural Resource Management region
Regional summary
Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management Inc is the regional body for the Avon natural resource management region which covers an area of about 117 700 sq km. Almost 63 per cent of the region has been released for agriculture and associated land uses. Principal land uses include annual dryland crops and grazing. Native vegetation in the region is recognised internationally for its species richness and the fact that much of it occurs only within the region. More than 6 per cent of the region is reserved for nature conservation purposes and there are over 50 000 remnants of native vegetation on private land, mostly less than 20 ha in size. Main towns include Northam, Merredin and York and the region has a population of over 41 000. Avon Catchment Council is the regional body.
Extensive clearing of natural vegetation for agriculture has caused broad degradation problems. However, the region continues to maintain profitable farm enterprises and contributes 34 per cent ($1467 million) of the state's gross value of agricultural production, particularly through wheat exports.
Most surface and groundwater is unsuitable for domestic or farm use due to high salinity levels.
Biodiversity summary
Biodiversity summaries and species lists for the Avon region have been produced by the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts using the Australian Heritage Assessment Tool.
For information visit: Biodiversity summaries and species lists for natural resource management regions
Contact
Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management Inc (formerly Avon Catchment Council) manages this region.
For more information visit: www.avonnrm.org.au
Region summaries
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