Konrad Frenzel · 1952
The article examines the origins, planning rationale, institutional framework, contents, and cartographic design of the Atlas of Australian Resources. In the aftermath of the Second World War, Australia faced rapid population growth through natural increase and immigration, expanding industrialization, closer integration into the world economy, new defence obligations, and declining food production. These pressures were compounded by the extreme concentration of population and economic activity in the southeastern cities, especially Sydney, and by immigrants’ continuing preference for metropolitan settlement. Consequently, “development” and “decentralisation” became the two central themes of Australian planning. A comprehensive inventory of natural resources, environmental conditions, and economic and social capacities was regarded as the indispensable starting point for future policy. A 1945 conference of the six state premiers initiated a nationwide resources survey, but Australia’s federal structure meant that the Commonwealth could not simply impose such a programme. Implementation remained primarily a state responsibility, while the federal government provided coordination, advice, standardisation, and mechanisms for exchanging information. The states subsequently delineated ninety-eight regions for development and decentralisation. Earlier regional atlases and surveys produced in Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales, Western Australia, and the Murray Valley supplied both source material and practical experience for the national project. The proposed atlas comprises approximately fifty thematic maps covering relief, climate, hydrography, soils, vegetation, agriculture, forestry, minerals, population, settlement, industry, energy, transport, communications, urban services, housing, education, health, historical development, administrative and planning boundaries, current major projects, and future development possibilities. Its sheets use a uniform scale of 1:6,000,000, are printed in five to ten colours by offset lithography, and measure about 72 by 75 centimetres. Each map is accompanied by an eight- to sixteen-page commentary containing explanations, statistical tables, regional enlargements, and analyses of specific issues. Compilation is unusually difficult because of Australia’s continental scale, uneven settlement, sparse information for the interior, and the different systems of observation, terminology, classification, and registration historically employed by the formerly separate colonies and states. A single national scale must also reconcile the densely settled and well-documented eastern and southeastern coastal belt with the largely uninhabited interior and west. The author concludes that the atlas is more than a technical aid for planners. It is a foundational instrument for a new phase of coordinated national development, a cartographic and textual reference work for audiences within and beyond Australia, and an account of the continent’s exploration, research, settlement, and economic transformation. By assembling reliable knowledge in a standardised form, it reveals both Australia’s existing resources and its substantial future potential.
K. Frenzel · 1952
Konrad Frenzel describes the preparation of the Atlas of Australian Resources, which he edits within the Ministry of National Development’s Division of Regional Development. Planned since 1948 and worked on since 1951, the atlas is approaching publication of its first sheets. Its programme comprises 50 thematic sheets, mostly at 1:6,000,000, covering natural conditions, population, economic activities, infrastructure, and development projects; each is accompanied by an 8–12-page explanatory booklet containing diagrams, pictures, and sketch maps. Frenzel praises Australia’s recent cartographic advances while explaining the difficulties posed by incomplete mapping, contrasting environmental conditions, and inconsistent state statistics. He emphasizes reconciling data, adapting generalization, standardizing map design, and documenting sources. The ten-stage workflow runs from conception and information gathering through compilation, technical specifications, draft drawing, expert review, fair drawing on Astralon, reproduction, final correction, and offset printing. Specialist agencies supply original mapping for some subjects, reducing the division’s compilation work. A grey orientation base leaves stronger colours for thematic content; relief is deferred because adequate underlying data are lacking. Frenzel also discusses colour separation and prospective technical changes, and explains how the chosen scale and supplementary decimal measures facilitate international comparison. He reports close cooperation between atlas staff and Commonwealth and state specialists, with Australian interest centred on coordinated national presentation.
Konrad Frenzel · 1953
Editor Konrad Frenzel describes the conception, planned contents, compilation, and production of the Atlas of Australian Resources and its accompanying commentary booklets. He places the project within the expansion of thematic resource atlases after the First World War, as government sponsorship and planning needs broadened their coverage to social conditions, services, and development prospects. The Australian project originated in the Department of Post-War Reconstruction in late 1948 as a collection for official use. Existing state publications and accumulated research provided valuable material, but a coordinated national atlas required consistent scales and representation. A section of the Department of National Development began full-time preparation in 1951.
The planned 50 maps cover physical conditions and resources, economic and social activity, and potential development; the subjects of the final ten development maps remained to be decided. Most sheets use a scale of 1:6,000,000 and a simplified National Mapping Office base, with Tasmania in its correct geographical position. Each map has an 8–16-page commentary booklet explaining its background and supplying information unsuitable for cartographic display. Maps and commentaries are sold together, with sheets designed for collection in an atlas cover or storage in a box.
Frenzel explains how geographers select and classify information, consult agencies and specialists, and prepare coded compilations for draftsmen. Production uses transparent Astralon sheets, photographically reduced symbols and lettering, coloured proofs checked by contributors, and offset printing averaging seven to nine colours. The atlas was still in preparation: one map had been printed and five were with the printer.
The first issue comprises Mineral Deposits, Rainfall, Temperature, Underground Water, and Soils. Frenzel describes mineral symbols differentiated by group, economic importance, and deposit size; circular arrangements of monthly climate maps that preserve continuity between December and January; soil colours related to moisture zones and broadly to fertility; and groundwater symbols showing availability, salinity, and flowing bores. He acknowledges that free groundwater cannot be adequately mapped at this scale. Government and research specialists also supply the commentaries. Frenzel stresses collective preparation and intends the atlas to support planning, education, public knowledge, and overseas understanding of Australia.
