This was/is certainly true of the vast sheep stations. Sheep farming was a disastrous decision for Australia, made because British garment manufacturing needed

This was/is certainly true of the vast sheep stations. Sheep farming was a disastrous decision for Australia, made because British garment manufacturing needed more cheap wool[0]. IIRC this is part of that chapter of the book. But recently, there's been much more of a move to less destructive practices. Lots of mediterranean-type farms (olives, wine, etc) more suitable to the soil and climate. [0]anecdata: in the late 80's I worked on an English sheep farm, at 100 sheep to the acre, and cut their toenails. I also worked on an Aussie sheep farm, at 100 acres to the sheep, and had to kill flyblown sheep being eaten alive by maggots. Crazy contrast.