BRIEFING NOTE No. 4
WORKING TOWARD BETTER FUTURES FOR THE GAB
A report on the GAB Futures Workshop conducted by the Great Artesian
Basin Coordinating Committee (GABCC) – August 2013, Canberra
The Great Artesian Basin (GAB) is currently the focus of a multi-pronged review process that includes an
end-term review (and likely revision) of the GAB Strategic Management Plan (SMP) 2000; a mid-term
review of Phase 3 of the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative (GABSI); and a review of the role and
operating arrangements of the GABCC.
These reviews come at a time of significant developments across the Basin, particularly in terms of the rapid
expansion of the extractive industry sector, substantial progress in furthering scientific understanding of the
complexity and status of the GAB, broad expressions of support across the Basin for the continuation of
GABSI to at least allow completion of its original scope of work; and the development of more
comprehensive and robust legislative, planning and policy arrangements consistent with the scale and
significance of the GAB as Australia’s most important groundwater resource.
Against this background, the GABCC set aside the majority of its twenty-ninth meeting to conduct a major
strategic review workshop. The GAB Futures Workshop enabled the GABCC to step back from normal
business to consider these developments, reflect on the Basin’s current status and use and consider how best
to more sustainably optimise its economic, environmental and social benefits.
Key considerations and conclusions from the GAB Futures Workshop are intended to help to inform the
review (and likely revision) of the SMP; GAB-related decision making by jurisdictions; dialogue and debate
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across Basin communities; broader community appreciation of the GAB; and the functioning of the GABCC
or similar future Committee.
This Briefing Note reports on the GAB Futures Workshop and presents the consensus view of GABCC
members.
THE GABCC IN BRIEF
The GABCC was established in 2004 and succeeded the former Great Artesian Basin Consultative Council.
Its primary role is to provide coordinated advice from agencies, community representatives and industry
sectors to Ministers on efficient, effective and sustainable whole-of-Basin resource management and to
coordinate activity between stakeholders.
The GABCC is currently accountable to the COAG Standing Council on Environment and Water and
reports to it through the Water Thematic Oversight Group (Water TOG).
GABCC members represent a wide range of sectors and organisations, including key Australian, state and
territory government departments; peak non-government bodies (National Farmers’ Federation - Australian
Local Government Association - Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association - Australian
Conservation Foundation - Minerals Council of Australia); and the regional/Basin community sector,
including Indigenous communities and the agricultural sector.
As mentioned earlier, the role and operating arrangements of the GABCC have been the focus of a major
external review. The Water TOG has considered the review outcomes and agreed that:
 the GABCC’s current role and structure should be retained until the review of the SMP is undertaken;
and
 interim enhancements to the GABCC’s operating arrangements can be made, provided there are no
adverse cost implications.
THE SMP IN BRIEF
The September 2000 SMP was developed by the former Great Artesian Basin Consultative Council and
formally endorsed by the Australian, NSW, Queensland, South Australian and Northern Territory
Governments. It represents the first “whole of-Basin” management plan to be adopted by all governments
responsible for the management of the GAB.
It was developed in response to a range of critical issues and limitations identified by GAB stakeholders.
One of those critical issues was the need for comprehensive bore capping and piping. This is a major
strategic priority within the SMP and is the core focus of GABSI.
The SMP has a fifteen-year timeframe and details a staged process for implementing the SMP strategies and
objectives, as well as reviewing and reporting progress.
Initiated by the GABCC, an end-of-stage review of the SMP was undertaken in 2006. That review indicated
the SMP needed to be brought up to date by incorporating contemporary issues and developments. It also
needed a tighter, more strategic focus and more robust mechanisms for assigning responsibilities and
assessing and reporting progress.
Rather than rewriting the SMP, the GABCC developed two complementary documents intended to aid
communication with stakeholders and help guide state and territory water planning:
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 Great Artesian Basin Strategic Management Plan: Progress and Achievements to 2008 – a retrospective
analysis capturing progress and achievements to 2008 and changes in context which had taken place
since 2000, and their implications for GAB management; and
 Great Artesian Basin Strategic Management Plan: Focus and Prospects 2008-2015 – defining a sharper
focus for implementing the SMP during the period 2008-2015, and in particular those elements most
affected by changes which had taken place since 2000.
The GABCC has a pivotal role in reviewing and reporting on implementation of the SMP (and the two
accompanying documents) and liaising with other bodies on relevant SMP issues. In addition, the GABCC
annual work plans are formulated within the strategic framework of the SMP.
In that context, the Water TOG tasked the GABCC with the initial drafting of the Terms of Reference for an
end-term review and possible revision of the SMP.
GAB FUTURES WORKSHOP
WORKSHOP OUTLINE
The following sessions were conducted over two days:
1. Considering an achievable state of health for the GAB in 2030
2. Considering the management action needed to achieve this state of health
3. Identifying and assessing risks
4. Identifying and prioritising improvement actions
5. Distilling where to from here and reporting
The first three sessions involved scanning, conceptualising and forecasting. The fourth and fifth were
solutions oriented and focused on strategic action.
Prior to the workshop, all GABCC members were provide with a support package of reference material,
including snapshots of the GAB’s state of health and state of management. These snapshots were prepared
by the jurisdictions and focused on the present (as at 2013) and the future (out to 2030). They are included
in this report at Appendix 3.
1. Considering an achievable “state of health” of the GAB in 2030
GABCC members considered an achievable state of health for the GAB in 2030. Reflecting broadly on
Basin wellbeing and sustainability, GABCC members developed the following five key outcome statements
as a collective vision of Basin health.
The GAB water resource:
- Water quality and flows are within stakeholder agreed acceptable limits.
The GAB pressure resource
- Pressure levels are stable, rising or within stakeholder agreed acceptable limits.
The integrity of GAB aquifers
- The integrity of GAB aquifers is not being compromised by human use.
- The natural function and flows within aquifers are being maintained.
The broader ecological, social and economic values of the GAB
- GAB water is supporting a diverse range of profitable, high return industries.
- GAB springs and dependent ecosystems are healthy.
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- The GAB is supporting vibrant communities, including Indigenous communities.
- Weed and pest incursions resulting from free-flowing bores and bore drains no longer impact GAB
landscapes and recharge and discharge springs.
Ensuring retention of future use options
- GAB water and pressure resources are still allowing communities and industries to pursue new use
options.
(Note: The health of the GAB will depend on limiting changes caused by water extraction and other human activities to
acceptable levels that are incorporated within a robust “state of management” and adhered to).
2. Considering the “state of management” that would be needed to enable
achievement of the above state of health in 2030
GABCC members considered the state of management that would be required to achieve the desired state of
health for the GAB in 2030. The following six key outcome statements were developed, each encompassing
a range of broadly (but not necessarily unanimously) agreed elements:
Legislation, policy and regulation
- Water management and development planning regimes across jurisdictions are appropriately harmonised
across the Basin and are being effectively enforced through well-resourced compliance mechanisms.
- Water access entitlement regimes across jurisdictions are achieving consistent outcomes and have
consistent entitlement classes.
- Better GAB governance is in place including coordinated, consistent, outcome focused legislation and
strong, authoritative, multi stakeholder and multi jurisdictional arrangements for sustainably managing the
GAB on a whole-of-Basin basis.
- An effective/transparent water-trading regime is in place, underpinned by robust predictive tools (see also
under “GAB science and research”).
- No exemptions from agreed Basin-wide water management guidelines are possible.
- A bore assurance scheme (or similar) is in place to ensure the continued maintenance of water delivery
infrastructure.
GAB information, education and know-how
- Water users, regulators and other interests understand the GAB and the key risks to its resources, as well as
their rights and responsibilities.
- Indigenous knowledge is recorded and included in water management arrangements.
- A ‘State of GAB’ report is produced every three years.
GAB stakeholder participation
- All stakeholders are encouraged and enabled to participate in GAB planning and management.
- All water users adopt best practice and compliance based on best information, planning and legislation.
- The GABCC (or successor advisory committee) has the capacity to be more responsive and adaptable to
emerging issues and makes timely substantive reports to Ministers.
GAB investment on-ground
- All flowing bores are rehabilitated and bore drains eliminated.
- Bores are appropriately monitored and where feasible, metered.
- All abandoned bores, wells and exploration holes are properly decommissioned.
- Bore assurance scheme (based on user pays levy) or similar scheme is in place to ensure water monitoring
and delivery infrastructure maintenance.
GAB monitoring and reporting
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- GAB monitoring and reporting are identifying gaps, informing science and research and informing policy /
planning / legislation.
- Monitoring networks are commensurate with the scale of water use.
- Reporting occurs for both:
(a) Whole-of-Basin extraction: at a frequency (preferably annual) that provides regular feedback for GAB
users and other stakeholders to inform decisions affecting the day-to-day management of the GAB; and
(b) the State of the GAB: at a frequency (proposed 3-5 yearly) that can aggregate trends in the annual
reports, and allow time for sufficient scientific investigations to support evidence-based comments
regarding the state and values (ecological, social, economic) of the GAB.
- Reporting is open, accessible and transparent.
- Uniform and nationally consistent jurisdictional reporting is undertaken by each Basin state and collated
and made available to stakeholders and the public by the GABCC.
- Entitlement holders are required to report on the impact and benefits of use.
- Industry monitoring is better utilised by regulators and other stakeholders.
GAB science and research
- GAB science and research are informing policy, legislation and management practice.
- GAB science and research are further increasing understanding of the Basin in terms of its hydrology,
connectivity and springs ecology.
- GAB science and research are further increasing understanding of how the GAB is used and how GAB
resources might be better utilised to benefit the community.
- GAB science and research priorities are being identified through monitoring and reporting.
- GAB science and research are developing more effective and applicable predictive tools.
- GAB science and research are identifying new and more beneficial uses for GAB resources
3. Identifying and assessing risk
GABCC members identified current, emerging and potential risks to the GAB and assessed the risks in
terms of impact and likelihood. Those identified and assessed as presenting high risk in terms of both
impact and likelihood are summarised below. All risks identified and assessed are detailed in Tables 1 and 2
at Appendix 1.
Current high risks
- Science in silos does not provide integrated solutions.
- Cumulative impacts including from CSG and other extractive industries cannot be predicted or managed.
- Inadequate resourcing limits the ability for compliance and enforcement.
- The time lag between actions and observed effect on the resource limits effective response.
- The ability of regulators to enforce and adapt to change exceeds their capacity for timely response.
- A decision-making process driven (mostly) by economic priorities limits the appropriate consideration of
other values.
- The time lag between new knowledge and policy / legislation amendments results in an inability to predict
and manage cumulative impacts.
Emerging high risks
- Bore integrity and water delivery infrastructure are not maintained.
- A diminished knowledge base (as a result of retirement and / or relocation in agencies and industries)
limits the capacity to respond to and sustain initiatives.
- Changing value systems (possible leaving a legacy burden) restrict future options.
- Changing government policy / rules limit the capacity to respond in timeframes appropriate to the GAB.
- The inability to monitor long-term GAB storage capacity limits options for new users.
Potential high risks
5
- Changing government policy / rules limits the capacity to respond in timeframes appropriate to the GAB.
6
4. Identifying and prioritising improvement actions
GABCC members identified and prioritised whole-of-Basin improvement actions in terms of things the
Committee needs to stop doing; keep doing; and start doing or do better.
Those highest priority actions that the GABCC should start doing or do better are summarised below. All
improvement actions identified and their relative priority are detailed in Tables 4 and 5 at Appendix 2.
Things the Committee needs to start doing or do better
- Promote the need and generate the capacity for whole-of-Basin monitoring, assessment and reporting on
the amount of take and value of use.
- Facilitate better integration of cross-disciplinary sciences between scientists and between scientists and
managers.
- Encourage scientific research to be more strongly influenced by GAB management needs.
- Strengthen timely well-considered responses to significant GAB issues.
- Increase engagement and profile with Ministers and other key decision makers.
- Promote the establishment of a sustainable, properly functioning GAB water market.
- Review water users’ rights and responsibilities.
- Expand and communicate knowledge of stakeholder operations, water use and GAB impacts.
5. Distilling where to from here and reporting – critical considerations
Reflecting on sessions 1 to 3 and particularly taking into account output from session 4, GABCC members
distilled a number of critical considerations for referencing to Water TOG in relation to GABCC operations,
GABSI and the end-term review (and possible revision) of the SMP.
GABCC
- There is still a significant need for the work of the GABCC to continue.
- Current operating arrangements don’t restrict the GABCC role but don’t give sufficiently clear direction as
to what that role is.
- The GABCC Chair should be more directly empowered to talk to Ministers.
- The GABCC will more actively facilitate knowledge transfer, including at the grassroots level.
- The GABCC will give stronger focus to being more strategic, particularly in terms of applying stronger
whole-of-Basin leadership to the issues and challenges detailed in this report.
- To that end, the GABCC will look to move its current subcommittee structure toward more task-specific,
outcome-focused working groups and restructure the format of current GABCC meetings.
GABSI
- The GABCC considers that it is critical for GABSI to continue to be supported by governments and water
users to completion of its original scope of work.
- The GABCC considers that it is critical that an informed conversation across all key stakeholders begins
now, to explore and develop equitable financial arrangements that support real works on the ground, and
that maintain bore and water delivery infrastructure into the future.
SMP
- The SMP 2000 should be substantially reviewed and revised so that it becomes an even more influential
whole-of-Basin strategic blueprint for management of the GAB.
- The GABCC should play a key role in driving the review and possible revision of the SMP, including by
working directly with the consultant(s) selected to undertake these critical tasks.
- Stakeholder commitment, implementation and reporting responsibilities need to be much clearer in the
new SMP.
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- An authoritative body with clear oversight responsibility for SMP implementation might be considered
(options canvassed included a Ministerial Forum; a GAB Authority; a strengthened GABCC).
- The role of the GABCC as the whole-of-Basin multi-stakeholder champion of the GAB needs to be
clearer.
- The revised SMP needs to more clearly allocate roles and responsibilities, so that the Basin-wide
“coordination” role of the GABCC is clear, substantial and useful to all stakeholders.
- The SMP must initiate/raise awareness of, and provide strategic leadership to, the longer term asset
maintenance and management.
- The revised SMP needs to emphasise the need to identify, monitor and improve uses of the GAB.
- The revised SMP needs to include procedures for ongoing monitoring and reporting and for periodic “State
of the GAB” reports.
- The SMP must raise the profile and status of the GAB and the GABCC.
- This GAB Futures Workshop report should inform and help guide the review and possible revision of the
SMP.
- Funding to support the review and possible revision of the SMP should be sourced outside of the GABCC
operating budget – recognising its impost on GABCC operations.
APPENDIX 1 – IDENTIYING AND ASSESSING RISK
Table 1: Current, emerging and potential risks
Risk No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Current Risks
Science in silos does not provide integrated solutions
Flow and changes to water quality exceed predicted limits
Lack of uniform water access entitlement (WAE) classes
frustrates management initiatives
Users and managers do not recognise the risks they generate
Cumulative impacts including from CSG and other
extractive industries cannot be predicted or managed
Inadequate resourcing limits ability for compliance and
enforcement
Unacceptable impacts caused by cowboy explorers
Time lag between actions and observed effect on the
resource limits effective response
Ability of regulators to enforce and adapt to change exceeds
their capacity for timely response
Decision-making process driven (mostly) by economic
priorities limits the appropriate consideration of other values
Time lag between new knowledge and policy/legislation
amendments results in inability to predict and manage
cumulative impacts
Emerging Risks
Bore integrity and water delivery infrastructure are not
maintained
Diminished knowledge base (as a result of retirement and/or
relocation in agencies and industries) limits capacity to
respond to and sustain initiatives
Changing value systems (possibly leaving a legacy burden)
restrict future options
GAB management initiatives are not adequate to respond to
climate change impacting on recharge / land use / water
demand
Technology / knowledge /predictive tools are insufficient to
protect environment if adverse impacts are detected
Impact
(Consequence)
Likelihood
H
H
L
H
L
H
L
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
L
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
H
L
L
H
L
8
Risk No.
17
18
19
18
20
21
Disposal / spread of contaminants / dispersal of leftover
extractive industry residues up to 2030 results in
unacceptable and uncontrollable impacts
Sovereign risk (governments changing rules)
Changes in government policy limits capacity to respond in
timeframes appropriate to the GAB
Inability to monitor long-term GAB storage capacity limits
options for new users
Potential Risks
See above
Large pumping stressors cause unacceptable change in water
quality
Scale and cost of infrastructure failure are beyond the
capacity of users to respond
Impact
(Consequence)
Likelihood
L
L
H
H
H
H
H
L
H
H
H
L
Table 2: Where we need to focus
Consequence
Have a good look at
Need to focus on these
these risks
risks
Likelihood
Low
High
Low
15, 17
2, 7, 16, 21
High
3, 4, 20
1, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 14, 18, 19
APPENDIX 2 – IDENTIFYING AND PRIOITISING IMPROVEMENT ACTIONS
Table 3: What we need to stop, keep and start doing
Stop --1. Requiring
complete
consensus as a
basis for every
GABCC action
Keep --2. Promoting the critical need for
GABSI to continue: rehabilitation;
decommissioning; infrastructure
maintenance; and self-funding
maintenance scheme
Start --10.Promoting the need and
generating the capacity for
whole-of-Basin monitoring,
assessment and reporting
amount of take and value of use
3. Facilitating capacity of regulators
to adapt to change and ensure
compliance
11. Facilitating better
integration of cross-disciplinary
sciences and between scientists
and managers
12. Promoting the concept that
scientific research be more
strongly influenced by GAB
management needs
13.Keep the GAB on the
agenda by Increasing
engagement with Ministers and
other decision makers in
government and industry
4. Improving community knowledge
and engagement
5. Improving coordination efforts
including knowledge sharing and
planning
6. Maintaining and strengthening
relationships with Ministers
18. Promoting
the need to
minimise the
risk of
contaminating
GAB aquifers
19. Organising
forums for
politicians,
researchers and
other key
stakeholders
14. Promoting establishment
of a sustainable properly
functioning GAB water
market by: clarifying
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entitlement; establishing
clear (consistent) regulatory
compliance framework;
developing trading rules; and
improving capacity to
measure and predict impacts
(monitoring predictive
tools/models)
7. Acquiring and communicating
knowledge of GAB water resource to
better inform advice on GAB
management
8. Promoting and facilitating more
effective stakeholder partnerships to
improve environmental/cultural
outcomes and better access to
water resources by : better sharing
(information); promoting research;
and establishing clear roles for
stake-holders (who takes lead) and
how others are engaged
9.Improving the profile and
recognition of the GABCC and
strengthening its role through all of
the above
15.Reviewing water users’
rights and responsibilities
(entitlements, take, practices)
16. Increasing the GABCC
profile with Ministers
17. Expanding and
communicating knowledge of
stakeholder operations, water
use and GAB impacts
Table 4: What has priority
Level of
importance
Highest
Higher
High
Stop doing
Keep doing
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
1
Start doing
10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19
20
18
10
APPENDIX 3 – SNAPSHOTS OF GAB STATE OF HEALTH AND MANAGEMENT
SNAPSHOTS OF THE
“STATE OF HEALTH” OF
THE GAB IN 2013:
Commonwealth
Queensland
New South Wales
South Australia
Northern Territory
The GAB water resource
. The GAB WRA has
developed a reclassification of
the layers that form aquifers
and aquitards to better represent
the variability of characteristics
associated with geological
formations in the GAB, and
existing hydraulic properties
have been summarised for
specific formations. This
methodology will inform the
development of future
groundwater water sharing
plans.
. GAB water resources play a
pivotal role in sustaining and
developing economies and
communities in inland Australia..
. The water resources of the
GAB are integral to the social
and economic wellbeing of rural
NSW, and indeed rural inland
Australia.
. The Water Allocation Plan
for the Far North Prescribed
Wells Area Plan (FNPWA)
has been developed to
manage the GAB
sustainably. It aims to
provide responsible, fair and
equitable water allocations
for users of groundwater in
the FNPWA, while
maintaining the health of our
natural resources and
ecosystems.
. The GAB water resources
support a community and a
number of pastoral stations.
. The Underground Water Impact
Report (UWIR) describes the
hydrogeology of the Surat
Cumulative Management Area in
detail. As part of the Water
Monitoring Strategy included in
the UWIR, 392 new monitoring
points are being constructed.
Monitoring data will contribute
to improved understanding of
hydraulic properties of aquifers.
. Qld’s current planning and
management arrangements
recognise the complexity of the
various geological formations
including water bearing
formations.
The GAB pressure resource
. The GAB WRA found that
groundwater level maps for
20-year intervals beginning in
1900 have clearly illustrated
the decline in groundwater
levels in the early part of the
last century, but in the most
recent decade (circa 2000 to
2010) an increase (recovery)
of groundwater levels is
. The GAB ambient network
currently consists of 243 bores
and is monitored on a three year
frequency. The purpose of
monitoring is to measure changes
in the static head of artesian
bores, to facilitate improved
understanding of trends in
resource condition over time.
This monitoring indicates a
. The GAB WRA brought
together knowledge of the
geology and hydrology in a
consistent way for the whole
GAB. Knowledge of the GAB is
ongoing and this new research
importantly provides a better
understanding of the GAB that
will enable future management to
take into account the complexity
of the system where appropriate.
. NSW’s GAB monitoring
program is currently being
updated to include magnetic flow
meters and digital test pressure
gauges which provide time series
data at 1 minute intervals. The
upgrade also includes the
installation of telemetered GAB
bore sites. Monitoring data will
contribute to improved
understanding of pressure,
temperature, flow and
conductivity.
. The NSW GAB bore
monitoring network currently
consists of 60 bores which will
be monitored on a yearly basis.
The purpose of the monitoring is
to measure changes in pressure,
flow, temperature and
conductivity which will facilitate
improved understanding of the
resource condition over time.
. The FNPWA contains four
management zones. These
zones are based on hydrogeological similarity, and
therefore have similar
sensitivity to decreases in
water pressure.
. The GAB Mound Springs
project significantly advanced
knowledge regarding recharge
processes in the western
margin.
. Resource monitoring
infrastructure is in place in
the unconfined aquifer on the
margin with a number of
bores equipped with loggers.
However, the frequency of
visitation is constrained by
Departmental resources and
higher priority works.
. Water must not be allocated
where it will cause
drawdowns estimated to
exceed specified thresholds.
The thresholds are different
for each water management
zone. Proposed drawdowns
are to be predicted according
to acceptable methodology.
.The SA GAB monitoring
network consists of 40 bores.
Information pertaining to
this network is publically
available through the Water
Connect website.
. There is one monitoring bore
in this part of the resource and
it provides telemetered data
via internet.
. The Great Artesian Basin
aquifer has been
assigned green status in
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evident from bore capping
under the Great Artesian
Basin Sustainability Initiative
and previous government
programs.
The integrity of GAB aquifers
. The GABWRA has identified
previously unreported potential
hydraulic connectivity with
underlying and overlaying
Basin through juxtaposition of
aquifers and leaky aquitards,
and polygonal faulting. In the
Central Eromanga reporting
area the degree of potential
hydraulic connectivity
approaches 10%, in the Western
Eromanga region the potential
connectivity approaches 20%.
continuing trend of increasing
groundwater pressure in most
artesian bores monitored. This
pressure recovery has primarily
been attributed to the bore
capping and piping activities
under the Great Artesian Basin
Sustainability Initiative.
. A range of modelling and
monitoring activities is ongoing
in the GAB. Significant
investments occurring on
upgrading, surveying and
equipping the monitoring
network across the Basin in
Queensland.
. The UWIR discusses potential
interconnectivity between the
Walloon Coal Measures and the
aquifers of the GAB. Available
information about
interconnectivity was used in the
construction and calibration of a
regional groundwater flow
model.
Similar to QLD, monitoring
continues to indicate an
increasing trend in groundwater
pressure that has been attributed
to the NSW Capping & Piping
program funded under the Great
Artesian Basin Sustainability
Initiative.
. The importance of
interconnectivity between water
sources and aquifers is being
recognised in the NSW water
planning process.
. Understanding about the
interconnectivity will improve
over time as progressively more
monitoring data is collected in
response to developmental
activities.
2012 – meaning that
the groundwater status
was observed to be
stable or improving
over 12 months. The
2012 status is
supported by and
overall increase in
groundwater elevations
and no significant
change in groundwater
salinity when
compared to the data
from 2011.
. The scheduled revision of
the FNPWA is due to be
completed in 2014.
. Both the GABWRA and the
Allocating Water and
Maintaining Springs in the
GAB project (investigated
surface and groundwater
interactions and mound
spring characteristics in the
western area of the Great
Artesian Basin) will inform
the review and future
management of the resource.
. A full audit of SA GAB
wells will be carried out by
September 2013 to gain full
understanding of pressure
changes as a result of
GABSI.
The broader ecological, social
and economic values of the
GAB
. The GAB WRA has identified
springs at very high levels of
risk in the future and has also
identified springs with a high
opportunity for recovery of
ecological values as a result of
increasing groundwater levels
in some parts of the GAB. The
gains are largely due to
estimated future bore
rehabilitations that improve
. The GAB springs monitoring
program aims to provide
information on changes in the
extent of springs over time.
There are six spring complexes
that must be monitored at least
every three years. The first GAB
spring monitoring survey was
conducted in 2008 and the
second commenced in the 2010–
11 reporting year. Due to delays
. The Department of Water and
Energy (now the NSW Office of
Water) held an auction of a
controlled allocation of
1200ML of water savings from
the Central, Warrego and Surat
water sources of the Great
Artesian Basin in 2009.
. Water savings were released to
. The Department for
Environment, Water and
Natural resources DEWNR
is preparing regional demand
and supply statements for
South Australian Arid Lands
and Alinytljara Wilurara
NRM regions. These
statements document the
region’s available water
resources, the current and
. The (draft) GAB Plan
recognises cross-border
environmental assets at
Dalhousie and Mulligan
Spring complexes have
provisions to consult with
appropriate authorities if
impact triggers are broached.
. 95% of surface water flows
over the GAB area are
12
water use efficiency, such as
are currently supported by the
Great Artesian Basin
Sustainability Initiative.
caused by wet field conditions,
the GAB springs monitoring
continued into the 2011–12
reporting period. The results
show little difference in the
extent of springs from 2008 to
2011, with the exception of
Edgbaston and Springrock spring
complexes, which appeared to
double in size. However, this
increase may be due more to
climatic conditions, including a
significant 2010-11 wet season,
than to long term recovery in
groundwater pressure. This
project will continue until 2016
with the next survey to
commence in 2014.
encourage economic and social
development in western regional
NSW in the face of hardships
suffered by struggling
communities through drought
and to provide a means for
businesses, industry and towns to
obtain sufficient water to
maintain viable operations.
projected future demands on
them, and the likely timing
of any potential demandsupply imbalance. These
plans have a 40 year time
horizon and are being
developed in consultation
with regional communities,
build on existing plans and
incorporate local knowledge.
preserved in recognition of
environmental and cultural
needs.
. A combined total of 7200ML of
unallocated water will be
released in 2013 from the Surat,
Surat East and Surat North
management areas. This release
process builds on the Queensland
Government's commitment to
support and grow the agricultural
sector as one of the pillars of the
State economy.
Ensuring retention of future
use options
. An outcome of the GAB WRP
(Qld) is “to reserve water in
storage for future generations”.
. The Water Sharing Plan (WSP)
for the NSW GAB reserves the
long-term storage component for
the environment. In addition
30% of the average annual net
recharge is set aside for the
environment in the Eastern and
Southern Recharge Groundwater
Sources, and 70% f water
savings made under the Cap &
Pipe the Bores program since
1999, are set aside for the
environment in the Surat,
Warrego and Central
Groundwater Sources.
. Section 76(4)(c) of the
Natural Resources
Management Act 2004
requires that a WAP takes
‘into account the present and
future needs of the occupiers
of land in relation to the
existing requirements and
future capacity of the land,
and the likely effect of those
provisions on the value of
the land’.
Other enabling elements
identified at the workshop
GAB Advisory Council is being
reconstituted and will continue to
provide advice to the Minister on
GAB matters.
. The NSW Great Artesian Basin
Advisory Group continues to
provide advice to the Minister
for Water on GAB matters.
.The South Australian Arid
Lands Natural Resources
Management Board prepares
the FNPWA and provides
advice to the Minister for
13
Water on GAB matters.
SNAPSHOTS OF THE “STATE
OF MANAGEMENT” OF THE
GAB IN 2013
Commonwealth
Queensland
New South Wales
South Australia
Northern Territory
GAB legislation, policy and
regulation
. EPBC Act – threatened
Species,
. Water Act 2000
. Water Management Act
2000
. Natural Resources Management Act 2004
. Water Act 1992
GAB information, education and
know-how
. Water Trigger - Large Coal
and Gas Mining Operations
. GAB WRP 2006 and
Resource Operations Plan
2007
. WSP for the NSW GAB
Groundwater Sources 2008
. GAB Poster Map
. GAB Poster Map
. GAB Poster Map
.GAB Secondary Schools
Syllabus
. GAB Poster Map
. GAB Poster Map
. Water Connect
www.waterconnect.sa.gov.au provides
monitoring data and connects to Far North
PWA GAB Aquifer Groundwater Level and
Salinity Status Reports
. Membership of GABCC
. Membership of GABCC
. Membership of GABCC
. GAB Advisory Council
. NSW Great Artesian
Basin Advisory Group
. South Australian Arid Lands NRM Board
. GABSI
. GABSI
. GABSI
. GABSI
. GABCC contribution $160,000
. GABCC contribution $45,000
. GABCC contribution $45,000
. GABCC contribution - $30,000
GAB monitoring and reporting
. GAB Monitoring Network
Jointly Funded
. GAB Monitoring
Network Jointly Funded
. GAB Monitoring Network
Jointly Funded
. GAB Monitoring Network Jointly Funded
. GAB Monitoring
Network Jointly Funded
GAB science and research
. GABWRA
. NWC Maintaining the
Springs Project
. Research projects are
underway to inform the
next UWIR
. Continued support of
collaborative research
projects
. Contributor to Allocating Water and
Maintaining Springs in the Great Artesian
Basin project completed.
.GAB Mound Springs
Project
GAB stakeholder participation
GAB investment
. Membership of GABCC
.Water Allocation Plan for the Far North
Wells Prescribed Area
. Membership of
GABCC
. GABSI
. Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining
Water Knowledge Program (part of
Australian Government’s Lake Eyre Basin
Bioregional Assessment
SNAPSHOTS OF AN
ACHIEVABLE “STATE OF
HEALTH” FOR THE GAB
Commonwealth
Queensland
New South Wales
South Australia
Northern Territory
14
IN 2030:
The GAB water resource
. Water quality parameters
maintained within GAB aquifers
supplying consumptive
extraction.
. GAB springs and other GAB
ecological assets continue to
receive ‘fit-for-purpose’ discharge
of GAB water.
. GAB water provides flow to
springs and base flow to
watercourses; supplies are
sufficient for continued use
of all water entitlements;
water is reserved in storage in
aquifers for future
generations.
. The GAB water resource
and its dependent
ecosystems are protected
for future generations.
. Access to basic landholder
rights and water
entitlements are protected.
. GAB managed sustainably.
. Responsible, fair and equitable water
allocations for users of groundwater in the
FNPWA, while maintaining the health of
our natural resources and ecosystems.
. Maintained as a
water supply source
to communities as
well as for rural stock
and domestic water
requirements.
. Monitoring data
stream maintained.
. Impacts of groundwater
extraction are minimised.
The GAB pressure resource
The integrity of GAB aquifers
. Monitoring Network established
and delivering data into States
monitoring databases
. GAB Groundwater levels align
with predicted levels modelled
under GABWRA scenarios
. Potential hydraulic conductivity
between GAB formations and
underlying/overlying formations
quantified.
. Pressure recovery achieved
through completion of all
remaining GABSI works
. Continued pressure
recovery achieved through
the completion of all
remaining GABSI works.
. Maintaining or improving GAB pressure
. Hydrogeology and interconnectivity between GAB
formations (and particularly
the WCM and adjoining
GAB aquifers) and overlying
and underlying formations
understood, quantified and
visualised.
. All GAB bores
rehabilitated and controlled
to sustain the integrity of
the GAB aquifers.
. Sustainable program for monitoring and
repair of leaking artesian bores
. Monitoring data
stream from telemetered site
maintained.
. The introduction of a
“bore assurance scheme” to
maintain the integrity of
bores.
. Bore logging program to
further the knowledge on
interconnectivity and interaquifer leakage.
The broader ecological, social
and economic values of the
GAB
. Future research to inform
GABCC’s consideration of
broader ecological, social and
economic values of the GAB
. GAB springs and other
GDEs fully surveyed and
mapped, their source aquifers
identified, ecological, cultural
and spiritual values identified
and protected, and robust
spring monitoring methods
developed and applied.
. Research to better
understand the ecological,
social and economic values
of the GAB.
. A program/ project which
will conduct an inventory of
GAB springs and collect
baseline data. This may
include the mapping of
springs, source aquifer
identification and
identification of their values
(social, economic and
. Cultural significance of water sites is
recognised and addressed.
. Protect priority GAB springs and other
aquatic ecosystems from total grazing
pressure.
. Control pest plants and animals in GAB
springs and other aquatic ecosystems.
. Flows to
groundwater
dependent
environmental sites
are maintained.
. Maintain and
support traditional
cultural values on
Indigenous owned
land through the
protection of
culturally significant
water dependent
15
ecological).
sites, as well as
providing access to
water for commercial
development.
. Monitoring of springs.
. Robust framework to
protect GAB springs.
Ensuring retention of future
use options
. GAB water planning processes
align with National Water
Initiative principles
Other enabling elements
identified at the workshop
. Development of
sustainable water
consumptive
industries to form a
significant part of the
region’s economy
will be conducted
within a sustainable
framework.
. GAB WRP provides for
reservation of water in
storage for future generations
. The Water Sharing Plan
(WSP) for the NSW GAB
reserves the long-term
storage component for the
environment.
. Section 76(4)(c) of the Natural Resources
Management Act 2004 requires that a WAP
takes ‘into account the present and future
needs of the occupiers of land in relation to
the existing requirements and future
capacity of the land, and the likely effect of
those provisions on the value of the land’.
. Continued representation
from all key stakeholder
groups in GAB planning
processes.
. Continued representation
from all key stakeholder
groups in GAB planning
processes.
. Work with other States to develop and
implement integrated policies and programs
to protect GAB and its associated
ecosystems.
. The GAB WAP
ensures only the
identified present day
recharge is allocated.
. Continued representation from stakeholder
groups in SAAL Board planning processes.
SNAPSHOTS OF THE
“STATE OF
MANAGEMENT” TO
ACHIEVE THE ABOVE
STATE OF HEALTH IN
2030
Commonwealth
Queensland
New South Wales
South Australia
Northern Territory
GAB legislation, policy and
regulation
. Whole of Basin approach to
GAB Management
. Water Act; Water Resource
Plans/ ROPs;
. Water Management Act
2000
. Natural Resources Management Act 2004
. Water Act
. WSP for the NSW GAB
Groundwater Sources 2008
. Water Allocation Plan for the Far North
Wells Prescribed Area
. GAB WAP
. System based; Outcome
focused approach
. Enhanced knowledge to
inform planning and
. Capacity building within
NSW and between States
. Water Connect
www.waterconnect.sa.gov.au provides
. Promote awareness
of the GAB as a
GAB information, education
. The value of the GAB resource
continued to be promoted to
16
and know-how
GAB stakeholder
participation
GAB investment
community stakeholders through
education and community
outreach programs.
management decisions;
and Territories.
. Collaboration; Partnership
arrangements
. Development of a schools
program for NSW.
. Capacity building
. Knowledge gathering to
assist with better
management decisions and
implementation of water
sharing plans.
. GAB stakeholders continue to
have input into collaborative
GAB management.
. GABAC to continue as the
primary vehicle for
engagement on GAB matters
. An advisory body continues to
provide advice upon
opportunities to co-ordinate
whole-of-basin GAB
management
. Investment is appropriate to
deliver current and future GAB
management
. The GABAG, or similar
group, to be the
community conduit
between the stakeholders
and government on GAB
matters.
. Targeted monitoring and
collaborative research
initiatives
. Continuation of GABSI,
including a bore
rehabilitation and control
works program
. GABSI or similar programs
to continue
GAB monitoring and
reporting
GAB science and research
. Aggregated results of relevant
States hydrological monitoring is
reported to GAB stakeholders
. Current and future GAB
research is targeted to inform the
development of future GAB
water sharing plans.
. Knowledge gaps identified and
communicated to the research
community
. Enhanced information
. Generation of knowledge
and reporting;
monitoring data and connects to Far North
PWA GAB Aquifer Groundwater Level and
Salinity Status Reports
resource of national
significance
. South Australian Arid Lands NRM Board
. Continuation of research
programs and the
development of
collaborative research
programs
. Monitoring data to be
more easily accessed with
NSW and across States
and Territories.
. Capacity building
. Capacity building within
NSW and between States
and Territories
. Targeted research programs
to alleviate existing gaps
. Development of a
research program to target
knowledge gaps and assist
with the preparation and
implementation of future
water sharing plans.
. Ongoing
commitment for
Departmental
resources to continue
the resource
monitoring program
. Undertake identified
investigative and
monitoring work to
enhance knowledge
of recharge processes
on the western
margin
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