SOILS
IN THE SYDNEY REGION
The
soils in the Sydney region are largely immature soils derived from
shales and sandstones. That is, very poor soil for agricultural
purposes. Pockets of sandy soil on the outskirts have proved to be of
suitable texture and suitable for market gardens and orchards after
the application of fertilizer and compost. The best soils in the
Sydney region are the alluvial deposits along the Nepean and
Hawkesbury Rivers to the north and west. This was were the first farm
was established, "Experimental Farm" at Camden. These are
highly fertile soils built up over many years of flooding..
There
is very little soil derived from volcanic rock. The main volcanic
soils (basalts) are in the south at Exerter, Robertson and Moss Vale.
Some small pockets of volcanic soil at Newport to the north and
Wollongong to the south are subject to dangerous slippage and
therefore, unsuitable for building purposes.
DIAGRAM:
SOILS OF THE SYDNEY REGION.
