5.2.1. The Upper Catchment

Major agricultural practices include wool and beef production, as well as the breeding of sheep and cattle. Grazing occurs in forest and woodland, as well as grassland. Smaller contributions to the agriculture of the region include the raising of deer and ostriches, dryland cropping, irrigated vegetable production, and fruit-growing (including wine grapes). The region also contains extensive softwood and hardwood timber plantations.

In 1994-95, the upper catchment contained an estimated 1146 agricultural properties, covering 785,057 hectares – roughly half of the total land area of the Upper Catchment.

Additionally, large areas of the sub-catchment are given over to conservation reserves. Most notable are the three national parks, Kosciuszko (690,000 ha), Brindabella (18,494 ha), and Namadgi (106,095 ha). For a full list of areas of conservation significance, see section 2.8 of this document. Note that Kosciuszko is shared between the Upper and Mid Catchments.