Land use mapping? There’s an app for that

Marije ten Napel

The Department of Primary Industry and Resources (DPIR) recently hosted a seminar at Berrimah Farm, to hear a presentation from Craig Shephard (Queensland Department of Science, IT and Innovation {DSITI}), about his work on mapping horticulture tree crops in Australia.

The Queensland Government is developing a national program to map the location and extent of avocado, mango and macadamia orchards in Australia. The interactive mango, macadamia and avocado map, which can be found at http://arcg.is/2cEJt50, is the first spatial representation of orchards in Australia.

Collaboration is the key in this project as the map could not have been created, or validated, without participation from industry and other stakeholders. The project has partnered with universities and industry groups such as the Australian Macadamia Society, the Australian Mango Industry Association, Avocados Australia and Horticulture Innovation Australia, and is funded through the Federal governments 'Rural R&D for profit' scheme. The NT Plant Industries Development researchers provided the draft data for mango orchards in the NT.

As part of the project an Industry Engagement Web Map has been created allowing viewers to review the maps ‘footprints’  identifying parcels of land with avocado, macadamia and mango orchards across all states and territories in Australia. You can help make sure the map is accurate, the team have created an app to help enable reviews. You can provide comments and feedback in the ‘live’ map—from your computer or from the easy to use Land Use by QLUMP App.  Search your app store for ‘land use’ and start capturing observations to improve land use mapping!

Of particular interest are missing orchards, orchards shown incorrectly or where the wrong commodity/crop is shown. Your input to the mapping is extremely valuable. Any questions or issues please contact:

Joel McKechnie, joel.mckechnie@dsiti.qld.gov.au (07) 3170 5668; or Craig Shephard, craig.shephard@dsiti.qld.gov.au (07) 3170 5664.

Industry engagement web map industry engagement app

Figure 6 (above) the industry engagement web map and app


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