Natural Resources

Victoria is well endowed with natural resources which underpin its agricultural, forestry, fisheries and tourism industries. The focus here is on presenting broadscale Victoria wide natural resource information. Over the course of the project more detailed regional-based information ('Regional Profile') will be presented.

	Victoria has a moderate climate which is generally favourable to plant growth. General climatic information for Victoria and links to Victorian climate maps (Bureau of Meteorology) are provided here.	Climate Rainfall Temperature Drought Management
	Victoria has a diversity of landforms. Broadscale information on physiographic regions and an elevation model of the state are provided here.	Landform Landform Description Elevation Geomorphology
	Approximately 57% of Victoria is agricultural freehold land, while around 34% of the state is public land. Generalised land use and land tenure maps of Victoria that show the distribution of these land uses are available here.	Land Use Land Use and Land Tenure Land Use in 1944 Satellite Image of Victoria
	Victoria has a wide variety of soil types, many of which are very productive under good management practices. Generalised maps and information on Victoria's soils can be found here. A Directory to soil and land surveys carried out in Victoria is also accessible here.	Soil Soil and Land Survey Directory Surface Soil pH Soil Management Victorian State Soil
	Victoria has significant water resources. Large reserves of high quality surface water exist in the eastern highlands and groundwater reserves are available in most regions. There is significant potential for reallocation of water in northern Victoria and additional groundwater resources are available for development in a number of areas.	Water Victoria's Water Resources Water Resources Management Access to Water Water Authorities Status of Water Resources & Supplies
	Presents information on Victoria's vegetation types, including remnant vegetation; their threats; and management programs.	Vegetation Victoria's Vegetation Resources Vegetation Management
	Presents information on catchment-wide management programs; catchment condition reporting; and detailed information on land degradation processes and management.	Land and Water Management Catchment Management Catchment Condition Land Degradation Invasive Plants
	Presents information and maps on the development of new water infrastructure; private forestry potential; and links to other DPI agribusiness pages.	Investing in Land and Water Investing in Victoria Private Forestry

The Minerals and Petroleum Division (M&P) of the Department of Primary Industries is responsible for the promotion and regulation of the extractive, oil and gas and minerals exploration and mining industries and pipelines in Victoria. Industry specific facilitation and development marketing services are provided, along with the maintenance of the State's historical geological database and the development of the additional state-of-the-art regional geological data. To find out information about minerals and petroleum in Victoria visit the Minerals and Petroleum section of the DPI website. This site has information on: current licences/permits, prospecting guide, mining and exploration, oil and gas, pipelines, as well as 'Explore Victoria Online'.

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