A national-first action plan to improve Australia's poor soil health will involve a country-wide monitoring program but won't include the reinstatement of a specialist advocate.
Agriculture Minister Murray Watt on Tuesday launched the five-year plan that sets out to improve Australia's poor and declining soil health.
While rich in biodiversity, Australian soil is considered among the oldest and most nutrient poor in the world.
Senator Watt said the plan identified four key priorities to respond to challenges such as climate change.
"Soil is central to Australia's agricultural industry and central to our government's climate ambitions," he said.
"The action plan is supported by $20 million announced in the 2023-24 Budget for bilateral partnership agreements with the states and territories to deliver locally appropriate activities."
The plan is the first under the 20-year National Soil Strategy released in 2021.
It includes a national framework to monitor and map Australia's soil health and a holistic policy where the resource is protected for the environment and food production.
But it does not include the re-establishment of the national soils advocate role, which was discontinued in August.
"We were disappointed that the role of the national soils advocate was not continued," Eli Court from the not for profit group Soils for Life said.
Mr Court said Australia's soils needed urgent attention.
"I think it's a good step and we look forward to more being done, and I certainly do feel a sense of urgency," he said.
Soils for Life works supporting hundreds of Australian farmers to improve the health of their soil.
"The government has put a stake in the ground and said 'we have a plan' and now is the point where we look at how that plan is rolling out and whether it's being effective," Mr Court said.
