A practical guide to assessing and understanding your land so that you can make informed long-term and day-to-day plans.
This practical, step-by-step handbook helps you as a landholder step back from day-to-day operations and clearly define your vision, goals and actions, while building a grounded knowledge of the unique capabilities of your property.
This book walks you through assessing every part of your property—from soils, water, and vegetation to infrastructure, climate, and enterprise options—so you can make informed, practical decisions.
With easy-to-use worksheets and templates, you’ll build a tailored property plan and map that reflects your unique land and goals. This process not only improves productivity and sustainability but also helps identify risks, opportunities, and priorities for smarter, more resilient farm management.
Now in its 5th edition since 1999, this guide supports better decision-making and long-term success. It brings together modern tools like digital mapping and agtech with proven land management principles, to help you farm efficiently while caring for your natural resources. By the end, you’ll have a clear, actionable plan that strengthens the value and viability of your property for the future.
WHAT THIS GUIDE COVERS
- Setting a vision, goals and direction for your property
- Assessing soils, land capability, water, vegetation and infrastructure
- Property mapping (hard copy and digital), SWOT analysis and planning
- Implementing, monitoring and reviewing a practical property plan
Includes worksheets, mapping guidance and downloadable planning templates.
WHO THIS GUIDE IS FOR
Farmers, rural landholders, advisors and students across NSW seeking a structured, practical approach to property planning. Suitable for both new and experienced property managers.
Resources for this book
Property plan template
You can download the following Microsoft Word template to edit and print or use digitally: Property Plan DOCX, 31.41 KB.
Property records template
Field observations and records are a vital part of developing and maintaining your property plan. To create digital records, you can download a Microsoft Word template to complete Worksheet 4 on your computer, or to download and edit it to suit your needs and print out: Natural Resource and Infrastructure Records DOCX, 38.07 KB.
There is also available the Excel spreadsheet XLSX, 19.77 KB version of the tables in Appendix 1 and 3 of the 4th edition.
Table of contents
- Introduction
- Part 1: Set your direction
- Part 2: Assess natural resources and infrastructure
- Part 3: Prepare a property map
- Part 4: Know your position (SWOT)
- Part 5: Plan your response
- Part 6: Prepare and implement property plan
- Part 7: Monitor and review
- Conclusion
- Worksheets
- Resources
Authors: David Brouwer (1st ed.), Judy O'Keefe, Charlie Bell, Deborah Law, Noeleen Clarke
ISBN: 9781742560137
Pages: 120 pages | A4 soft cover
Catalogue number: B167
Publisher: NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
First published: 1999, 5th ed. 2026