Land
Page 306
The SA Coast Protection Board has prepared a policy to guide the assessment
of soils in coastal areas that are potentially prone to acidification. This guideline
assists Councils and developers to assess the potential presence of acid
sulphate soils at a coastal site, and ensure that appropriate management
measures are put in place during excavation or construction to prevent any
damaging effects. The management and transport of acid sulphate soils is
regulated by Commonwealth standards.
Condition indicators:
Distribution of known potential and actual acid sulphate
soils in the Gillman-Barker Inlet area, by hectare
A study in 2003 by the CSIRO and Council resulted in limited mapping of areas
of potential acid sulphate soils (Thomas et al. 2003). The study has identified
the Port River and the coastal area north to the Gawler River as ‘active’ or
‘passive’ areas of acid sulphate soils. (Refer to map 17).
Soil Characteristics
The City of Port Adelaide Enfield has a diverse soil characteristic profile, with a
broad range of soil types from sand to clay throughout the area.
The Lefevre Peninsula area in the west is dominated by sandy soils, which are
stable foundations for the construction of roads, buildings and footpaths. Roads
constructed on sandy soils can last over 80 years. Silts around estarine type
soils are also fairly stable.
Constraints exist on the Peninsula due to the high groundwater table in some
areas. Developments in this area may require de-watering to lower the water
table to allow for the provision of additional footings to support construction.
From the Port Adelaide River eastward to Kilburn/Blair Athol are red brown clay
or sandy clay soils which are fairly stable. From Kilburn to Clearview soils grade
into light brown sandy to clay, with abundant lime and calcrete. These soils are
slightly reactive, subject to moisture content.
East of Hampstead Road are black earths, dark grey soils which are coarse
clay. Clay soils are highly reactive to moisture content. Infrastructure
maintenance pressures exist in these North Eastern areas due to the clay soil.
Roads last only about 25-35 years and buildings and paved areas are subject to
damage from moving soils. In these areas careful consideration is given by
Council to the street tree species planted. It is essential to plant trees which do
not take a great deal of moisture from the soil.
Map 18 (page 313) shows the distribution of soil associations.
