SOLVING THE ACID SULFATE SOIL PROBLEM—A CASE STUDY IN CO-OPERATION

ACID sulfate soils are a major issue for the NSW sugar industry. This is particularly true in the Tweed Valley where over 80% of cane land is underlain by acid sulfate soils. Acid discharge caused a major fish kill in the Tweed River in 1987, which resulted in hostility from the fishing industry, the community and some government officers. Fallout from this incident had the potential to close down parts of the NSW sugar industry. This event, however, proved to be a watershed for the industry when two local farmers took a risk and agreed to make their farms available as study sites for acid sulfate soils. Over the next 13 years, scientists from several universities and research organisations worked with these farmers to better understand how acidity is generated and discharged from the landscape. As a result of this work, new management practices were developed. Many of these practices are now regarded as best practice for managing acid sulfate soils. Acid discharges have been greatly reduced on the case study farm and across the industry. This case study describes how industry, researchers and government have worked together to devise and implement solutions to an industry-wide problem. Annual, external audits of compliance with acid sulfate best management practice guidelines are now completed in each NSW mill area. Recent audit results show high levels of compliance among NSW cane farmers. Implications from this work for the wider industry are also discussed.