Sustainable Development and
Management of Water Resources
in Northern Australia:
A Model Approach
Final Report
Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts & Sport
PO Box 496
Palmerston NT 0831
Technical Report No. 15/2010D
Copyright
© 2010 Northern Territory Government
ISBN 978-1-921519-76-5
This report is copyright. It may be reproduced without permission for purposes of research,
scientific advancement, academic discussion, record-keeping, free distribution, educational
use or other public benefit, provided that any such reproduction acknowledges the Northern
Territory Government Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport and
the Australian Government Water Smart Australia Program and authors of the report. All
commercial rights are reserved.
Cover Images: (top to bottom) Gauging Station G8140205 on the Flora River at Stoney Creek,
Bore with metered installation and meter, Daly Surface Water Catchment with
superimposed FEFlow Groundwater Model Mesh
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
ii
Sustainable Development and
Management of Water Resources
in Northern Australia:
A Model Approach
Final Report to the Department of Environment,
Water, Heritage and the Arts in relation to
funding from the Australian Government Water
Smart Australia Program.
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
iii
Contents
Executive Summary ................................................................................................................. 1
1
Introduction....................................................................................................................... 3
1.1. Outline of the Water Smart Program ............................................................................ 3
2
Project Overview............................................................................................................... 4
2.1. General ........................................................................................................................ 4
2.2. Project Overview .......................................................................................................... 5
2.2.1 Phase One .........................................................................................................................5
2.2.2 Phase Two .........................................................................................................................6
3
Objectives ......................................................................................................................... 7
3.1. The Overall Objective................................................................................................... 7
3.2. The Specific Objectives ................................................................................................ 7
3.3. Discussion ................................................................................................................... 7
3.3.1 Provide water users, water regulators, regional planners and the general community
with reliable information about the levels of use being made of all water resources .........7
3.3.2 Ensure that water is used efficiently and within allocated limits ........................................8
3.3.3 Ensure the current and planned regional water uses remain within ecologically
sustainable limits under new water allocation plans ..........................................................9
3.3.4 Ensure ecologically sustainable development in the Daly River Catchment and Darwin
Rural Area based on enhanced information provided .......................................................9
3.3.5 Provide a model approach for consideration in other parts of northern Australia. ............9
4
Performance Indicators .................................................................................................. 11
4.1. Project Activities ......................................................................................................... 11
4.1.1 Phase One .......................................................................................................................11
4.1.2 Phase Two .......................................................................................................................12
4.2. Evaluation against Performance Indicators ................................................................ 12
4.2.1 Phase One .......................................................................................................................12
4.2.2 Phase Two .......................................................................................................................13
5
How the Project was Achieved ...................................................................................... 17
5.1. Project Activities ......................................................................................................... 17
5.1.1 Phase One .......................................................................................................................17
5.1.2 Phase Two .......................................................................................................................17
6
Overall Project Evaluation.............................................................................................. 22
6.1. Water Allocation Planning .......................................................................................... 22
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
iv
6.2. Strategic Development and Use of Smart Technology ............................................... 22
6.3. Challenges Encountered and Lessons Learned ......................................................... 23
7
Further Work ................................................................................................................... 25
7.1. Water Allocation Planning .......................................................................................... 25
7.2. Modelling ................................................................................................................... 25
7.3. Monitoring .................................................................................................................. 26
7.4. Metering ..................................................................................................................... 26
8
References ...................................................................................................................... 28
APPENDIX A Project Gauging Station Sites on the Daly River System............................. 30
A1 General ...................................................................................................................... 32
A2 Katherine River at Ironwood Station – G8140535 ...................................................... 32
A3 Katherine River at Wilden Station – G8140536 .......................................................... 32
A4 Daly River at Theyona Station – G8140098 ............................................................... 33
A5 Douglas River at Tipperary Xing – G8140325 ............................................................ 33
A6 Douglas River at Tippera Waterhole – G8140538 ...................................................... 34
A7 Flora River at Stoney Ck – G8140205 ........................................................................ 34
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
v
Figures
Cover Images: (top to bottom) Gauging Station G8140205 on the Flora River at Stoney Creek,
Bore with metered installation and meter, Daly Surface Water Catchment with
superimposed FEFlow Groundwater Model Mesh .................................................. ii
Figure 1 Locality Map showing the regions of the Daly River Catchment and the Darwin peri
urban area overlying the McMinns/Howard East Groundwater System................... 5
Figure 2 New Gauging Station sites in the Daly River Catchment ............................................ 16
Figure 3 Locations of Voluntarily Metered Bores in the Darwin Region .................................... 20
Figure 4 Locations of Voluntarily Metered Bores in the Katherine Region ................................ 21
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
vi
Executive Summary
The Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A
Model Approach is a project co-funded by the Australian Government Water Smart Australia
Program and the Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport of the
Northern Territory Government. The project began in July 2006.
Through the project, an integrated water resource management approach was successfully
trialled. This approach is delivered as the most significant outcome and can now be applied
across all NT catchments. The management prototype was applied to two regions – the
Darwin Rural Area (McMinns/Howard East) and the Daly River Catchment in which emerging
management issues had been identified.
The project undertook initiatives and established innovative techniques in a number of areas to
assist regional water management. The most important of these include the elimination of the
surface water/groundwater connectivity and double accounting issue by the use of ‘smart’
models that assist in water allocation planning and licensing decisions, the capture of data
regarding commercial and domestic water use in this previously unexplored sector and the
conceptualisation to construction of integrated catchment based water resource monitoring
networks deploying ‘smart’ Acoustic Doppler flow measurement and tele-communications
technology.
The most valuable lesson learnt has been through the planning process. Under the scenario
of ‘high’ seasonal rainfalls experienced in the past 15 years, the water resources in the Top
End are seemingly inexhaustible and past experiences in over exploitation long forgotten. In
the Top End where the best river flow records extend for only 45 years, an important outcome
of the modelling was that flow records based on historical rainfall measurements could now be
synthesised. This has enabled statistical analysis in the context of over 100 years of ‘virtual’
flow data which has been invaluable in developing the sustainable parameters applied in water
allocation planning. In convincing stakeholders of the need for effective management, the
modelled flow data has been used to provide somewhat compelling evidence of the
vulnerability of high value aquatic ecosystems to water resource over exploitation.
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
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Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
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1
Introduction
This report fulfils the reporting requirements from the Northern Territory Government to the
Commonwealth of Australia for the project Sustainable Development and Management of
Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach.
The $2.055M study was co-funded by the Australian Government Water Smart Australia
Program ($0.965M) and the Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and
Sport of the Northern Territory Government ($1.090M). The project began in July 2006.
This report provides an overview of the project and addresses how the objectives were met. It
evaluates the project against performance indicators and describes how the project was
achieved.
1.1.
Outline of the Water Smart Program
The Water Smart Australia Program is administered by the Department of Environment, Water
Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) for the Australian Government. Through the Program, funding
is provided for activities that assist in implementing the National Water Initiative (NWI).
The objectives, outcomes and actions of the NWI include national water reform in the areas of:

water access entitlements and planning;

water markets and trading;

best practice water pricing;

integrated management of water for the environment and other public benefit
outcomes;

water resource accounting; urban water reform;

knowledge and capacity building and

community partnerships and adjustment.
The objective of the Water Smart Program is to accelerate the development and uptake of
smart technologies and practices in water use across Australia for purposes that include
improving river flows, on-farm water efficiency, recycling and re-use of stormwater and ‘grey’
water, water storage, sewerage management; water desalination, irrigation infrastructure and
water-efficient house design.
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
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2
Project Overview
2.1.
General
The project Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern
Australia: A Model Approach is a multi faceted project which delivers outcomes aligned with a
number of objectives of the NWI. These may be identified in the areas of water access
entitlements and planning, integrated management of water for the environment and other
public benefit outcomes, and knowledge and capacity building. The innovative approach to
Integrated Water Resource modelling developed through this project are applied in the
implementation of water management plans for two priority water resource basins in the Top
End of the Northern Territory.
The first area in which water resource planning and effective management is now considered
critical is the peri urban area to the east of Darwin which overlies the McMinns / Howard East
groundwater system. This system represents a significant water source which hosts bore
supplies to an estimated 20,000 residents, a horticultural industry, market gardens and a public
utility augmenting to Darwin’s municipal supply. The hydrogeology of the McMinns/Howard
East Groundwater systems is detailed in Jolly (1983).
High environmental value is identified in the monsoon rainforest patches and swamps existing
around the systems’ spring discharge zones (Liddle, 2008). These ecosystems are habitat for
the Ptychosperma bleeseri (aka Darwin Palm) – a palm species unique to this local area. This
species is listed as endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity
Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act). The springs also provide the dry season flow into the
swampy breeding grounds of the saltwater crocodiles on the Adelaide River floodplain.
Accelerated development of the region since the 1990’s has seen significant impact on the
groundwater system as observed in regional groundwater level monitoring records, the
reduced seasonal flows in the Howard River and the earlier cessation of flows from the iconic
Howard Springs.
The second region of interest is the Daly River catchment, an area of approximately 82,000
square kilometres south of Darwin. The region is facing increasing pressure from the
proponents of agricultural development. The catchment is drained by the Daly River and its
tributaries and is significant in its high environmental value as a groundwater dependent
ecosystem (DRCRG, 2004). The perennial river system is entirely spring fed in the dry season
supporting various aquatic life such as barramundi, turtles, sawfish, whip rays, and crocodiles.
With the threat of land development and potential for groundwater over allocation if not
managed sustainably, it is essential that effective management practices are employed to
ensure that minimum environmental flow requirements, prescribed by Erskine (2004) and
acceptable water quality in the Daly River, for which Risby et al (2009) proposes a monitoring
framework, are maintained.
The interaction regime of the surface water and groundwater resources of the basin is
complex. Tickell (2009) and Jolly (2002) provide empirical overviews of the groundwater in the
basin and its relevance to the surface water system. Tickell (2001 and 2001) document the
hydrogeological assessments of the Oolloo Dolostone and Tindall Limestone in the respective
reports.
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
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This project aimed to develop and deliver the necessary monitoring infrastructure and tools to
guide management decision making for the two significant water resource basins. Essentially,
the scope of work consisted of:

The identification of strategic water monitoring needs and the nature and location of
infrastructure based on a holistic catchment approach,

The construction of priority water monitoring sites,

Devising an approach to metering to obtain the data required to estimate basin wide
water usage with a view to applying the standards developed to a future water licensing
scheme, and

The development of integrated water resource models to advise management
decisions.
However, the funding has not only provided the opportunity to invest in monitoring
infrastructure for the future, but has also provided capacity to capture unambiguous data. This
data has affirmed the understanding of system behaviour and processes.
Figure 1
2.2.
Locality Map showing the regions of the Daly River Catchment and the Darwin
peri urban area overlying the McMinns/Howard East Groundwater System
Project Overview
The Project requirements were to:
2.2.1
Phase One
(i) review existing metering systems and standard in other Australian jurisdictions;
(ii) develop guidelines for selection of water meters that is consistent with available and
applicable national standards and develop options for bulk purchasing of the meters;
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
5
(iii) develop a new scheme for metering private rural water use in the Daly River Catchment
and the Shire of Litchfield (Darwin Rural Area) including stock and domestic use and
options for cost recovery through licence charges;
(iv) provide a copy of the Daly Region Community Reference Group Report (which
provides a comprehensive summary of water issues and matters in that region) that
was available in December 2004;
(v) develop integrated surface water-groundwater models that predict responses to
different types and levels of land use and development for the Daly River Catchment;
(vi) use the models referred to in paragraph (v) above to review existing water resource
monitoring networks, systems and programs and design and cost required upgrading
work for the Daly River Catchment;
(vii) develop integrated surface water-groundwater models that predict responses to
different types and levels of land use and development for the Darwin Rural Area;
(viii) use the models to review existing water resource monitoring networks, systems and
programs and design and cost required upgrading work for the Darwin Rural Area;
(ix) develop a strategy for an integrated water resource monitoring network (Flow, and
water quality monitoring) for the Daly River Catchment and
(x) develop a strategy for an integrated water resource monitoring network (Flow and water
quality monitoring) for the Darwin Rural Area
2.2.2
Phase Two
(i) select and purchase water meters and implement the new scheme for metering rural
water use in the Daly River Catchment and Darwin Rural Area;
(ii) employ models in water allocation planning and licensing decisions in the Daly River
Catchment and Darwin Rural Area;
(iii) construct integrated water resource monitoring networks for the Daly River Catchment
and the Darwin Rural Areas including purchasing equipment and materials.
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
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3
Objectives
3.1.
The Overall Objective
The overall objective of the project was to develop catchment-specific adaptive management
frameworks to protect economic, environmental and other community values that can be
modified and applied to suit other catchments across northern Australia.
3.2.
The Specific Objectives
The Specific Objectives are to:

Provide water users, water regulators, regional planners and the general community
with reliable information about the levels of use being made of all water resources;

Ensure that water is used efficiently and within allocated limits;

Ensure the current and planned regional water uses remain within ecologically
sustainable limits under new water allocation plans;

Ensure ecologically sustainable development in the Daly River Catchment and Darwin
Rural Area based on enhanced information provided; and

Provide a model approach for consideration in other parts of northern Australia.
3.3.
Discussion
This section discusses the specific objectives and how they were achieved in the project.
3.3.1
Provide water users, water regulators, regional planners and the
general community with reliable information about the levels of use being
made of all water resources
The intent of this project to establish protocols for the capture of reliable information
regarding water use was highlighted in one of the activities undertaken in the initial
stages. This activity determined guideline specifications for water meters across a
range of applications which would be appropriate for Northern Territory conditions and
compliant with Australian metering standards. The application of the guidelines would
serve in the subsequent regulatory process with the declaration of water allocation
plans.
A significant activity within the project was to purchase and supply water meters to a
cross-section of users in the study areas. Expressions of interest for voluntary
installations were called and domestic users on 2 ha lots in the rural area with varying
levels of development, small and large scale horticulturalists and different commercial
enterprises including market gardeners and cut flower industry growers were supplied
with meters suited to their application in exchange for water use data. The information
would serve to provide planners and modellers with at ‘the’ least reality based
estimates of water use for various applications across the study regions. This exercise
has provided invaluable data, particularly from the domestic user group. This group will
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
7
not require water meters or licences under the plan and therefore such data could not
normally be captured.
A platform for the planning process in both regional areas of this study has been
established through the undertaking of this project. The water resource within a subarea within the Daly Catchment is now managed under a Water Allocation Plan
declared in September 2009. The Water Allocation Plan for the Tindall Limestone
Aquifer, Katherine (WRB, 2009) essentially deals with the groundwater resource of the
local Tindall Limestone aquifer which provides the dry season baseflow to the
Katherine River. The plan provides for the sustainable use of the local area’s
groundwater resource by a number of beneficial uses including municipal water supply,
horticulture, pastoral and recreation whilst ensuring adequate flow for the river’s
ecosystem use. Inherent in this plan is a requirement for all users, with the exception
of supplies for domestic and stock use, to be licensed and regularly report their
metered water use. All plans developed in the Northern Territory will stipulate the
mandatory metering of water use.
3.3.2
Ensure that water is used efficiently and within allocated limits
The application of a modelling approach using catchment wide integrated surface water
/ groundwater models to assist in the water allocation plan development provides an
effective strategy in ensuring the resource is allocated within the sustainable limit. In
this project, water resource models were developed for the Daly Basin and the
McMinns/Howard East Groundwater systems. The Daly model required the integration
of a surface water model (Daly River system) with two (2) groundwater systems (Oolloo
Dolostone and Tindal Limestone aquifer systems). The McMinns/Howard East system
integrated the groundwaters of the Koolpinyah Dolomite and the surface water system
featuring the Howard River and a number of local springfed creek systems.
In the Top End where the longest flow record is 44 years (G8140001 - Katherine
Railway Bridge), the integrated modelling of the groundwater and surface water system
provided a capacity to synthesise long term river and spring flow records based on over
100 years of historical rainfall record. With this dataset, a statistical analysis of the
‘virtual’ flow data could be undertaken within reasonable context and this has enabled
the establishment of bounds within which to develop plans for sustainable use. The
synthesised data has indicated that the systems are vulnerable to periods of low
rainfall.
The modelling undertaken in this project uses “smart” cutting edge software which
integrates the surface water and groundwater resources. Importantly, the application of
such a modelling system will eliminate the “double accounting issue” – an issue not
recognised in ‘traditional’ water resource planning due to the neglect of surface water
and groundwater resource connectivity. In this regard, the modelling plays a critical
role in the ongoing management of the resource. At the end of each wet season, the
model is applied specifically to provide a basis for determining announced water
allocations to licensees.
Water licensees within any area managed under a water allocation plan will be required
to submit business or development plans justifying their requirement. For example,
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
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assessment of licence applications from horticulturalists will examine the proposed
cropping type, regime and area under cultivation to determine the minimum estimated
water requirement against the amount applied for. The licensed amount will reflect an
expected minimum level of water use efficiency.
3.3.3
Ensure the current and planned regional water uses remain within
ecologically sustainable limits under new water allocation plans
All water allocation plans developed will be compliant with the National Water Initiative.
This approach will require environmental water needs to be initially identified in order to
determine the consumptive pool. Consequent to its declaration and implementation,
prescribed monitoring water resource strategies in the plan and periodic review of
resultant monitoring data will ensure that impacts are detected so that adaptive
management practices may be developed and deployed.
3.3.4
Ensure ecologically sustainable development in the Daly River
Catchment and Darwin Rural Area based on enhanced information provided
From the onset, this project recognised the need to identify issues in relation to
foreseeable land and water resources development within each of the basins. An
important part of this project was therefore the strategic design of monitoring networks
for surface water, groundwater and water quality to not only capture information to
enhance the understanding of the natural processes, but to pre-empt future monitoring
needs. Additionally, a major component of this project has been the construction of key
monitoring infrastructure within each basin. The networks thus established will provide
targeted and enhanced information on which to base the development of adaptive
management plans.
3.3.5
Provide a model approach for consideration in other parts of
northern Australia.
The model approach developed and prototyped in this project has been shown to be
workable and will be applied in those instances where there are strong surface water /
groundwater connectivity issues. The advantages in developing models are many.
As a prototype case to demonstrate the advantages of a model approach, the Daly
Integrated model has indeed proven there is great value in this. This is summarised as
below:

Provided confidence in the hydrogeological conceptualisation of the system and
thus water resource assessment outcomes

Provided a convincing basis on which to firm support of stakeholders within the
Water Allocation Planning region

Enabled a 100 year long pseudo ‘natural’ system (c/f no pumping) flow scenario
to be synthesised – such a record would not normally be available for analysis

Enabled the level of current impact on the system to be quantitatively
determined
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
9

Enabled the long term planning parameters to be distilled from the synthesised
dataset, and analysed and applied in developing the Water Allocation Plan for
the Tindall Limestone Aquifer, Katherine (WRB, 2009).

Enabled a number of proposed development scenarios in the basin to be
examined – particularly with regards to forecasting impact on river flow at
various critical locations at the end of dry season period

Enabled the effects of climate change scenarios to be predicted (CSIRO, 2009)

Provided a basis on which to determine allocation announcements for water
extraction licensees in the plan area
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
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4
Performance Indicators
The basis for evaluation of performance in this project is the successful undertaking and
completion of the activities listed below and consequent delivery of the milestones.
4.1.
Project Activities
4.1.1
Phase One
The Phase One activities were required to identify the management approach and
development of the modelling tools to be deployed in the implementation of the
management plan for the respective resources.
(i) Engage an appropriately qualified consultant to develop guidelines for selection of
stock and domestic use and high rate irrigation use water meters, which are
appropriate to the Northern Territory of Australia, as well as options for bulk
purchasing of these water meters. Ensure that the consultant reviews the metering
systems and current metering standards adopted in other Australian jurisdictions.
(ii) Engage an appropriately qualified consultant to provide a report regarding a new
cost-effective scheme for metering private rural water use in the Daly River
Catchment and Darwin Rural Area and possible wider use across northern
Australia.
(iii) Engage an appropriately qualified consultant to develop;
a. integrated surface water-groundwater models that predict responses to different
types and levels of land use and development for the Daly River Catchment;
b. integrated surface water-groundwater models that predict responses to different
types and levels of land use and development for the Darwin Rural Area;
that will also analyse the possible impacts of land use and development on water
balances in these regions and may have wider application to other regions of northern
Australia;
(iv) Engage an appropriately qualified consultant to design:
a. an integrated water resource monitoring network for the Daly River Catchment;
b. an integrated water resource monitoring network for the Darwin Rural Area;
that will provide essential information for water allocation planning and licensing
decisions in those regions and employ best practice approaches that can be applied to
other similar regions of northern Australia;
(v) Ensure the guidelines, schemes, models and network designs developed in
accordance with paragraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above will be subject to public and
targeted stakeholder consultation conducted by the Project Committee.
(vi) Ensure that all data used to develop the guidelines, the new rural private water use
metering scheme, the models and the networks is quality assured and quality
controlled.
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
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4.1.2
Phase Two
The Phase Two activities below were undertaken following Steering Committee
acceptance of the successful delivery of the Phase One activities:
(i) Implementation of the new guidelines and scheme referred to in items 4.1.1(i) and
4.1.1(ii) above for metering rural water use in the Daly River Catchment and Darwin
Rural Area by:
a. purchasing and distributing the water meters identified in Phase One;
b. engaging a new extension officer for water licence audits and meter calibration;
and
c. conducting a public/stakeholder review of the first year of implementation of the
guidelines and scheme;
(ii) Employ the integrated water resource models referred to in Item 4.1.1(iii) in water
allocation planning and licensing decisions in the Daly River Catchment and Darwin
Rural Area. As an example of this application, the model is used to predict river
flows at gauging station G8140001 (Katherine Railway Bridge) on November 1
given the entitlements for all licence holders. The predicted flow provides a basis
for the determining of announced allocations under the Katherine Water Allocation
Plan;
(iii) Conduct regular assessments on the use, benefit and review of each integrated
water resource model referred to in 4.1.1(iii) through the relevant water allocation
plans;
(iv) Construct integrated water resource monitoring networks for the Daly River
Catchment and the Darwin Rural Area including:
a. the purchase of water quality meters for installation at sites determined by the
consultant referred to in 4.1.1(iv);
b. the purchase of a new boat, motor and gauging and sampling equipment;
c. the purchase of five new river gauge stations with water quality meters; and
d. engaging new hydrographic and water quality staff.
4.2.
Evaluation against Performance Indicators
4.2.1
Phase One
(i) Completed. A consultant, GHD, was commissioned to undertake activity items (i)
and (ii). The consultant report “Guidelines for Selecting Water Meters, Options for
Bulk Purchases and Development of a Metering Scheme for Rural Water Use” was
delivered in May 2007.
(ii) Completed. Refer activity item above.
(iii) Completed.
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
12
a.
A consultant, URS Australia Pty Ltd, was commissioned to undertake activity
items (iii) a. and (iv) a. The consultant report “Integrated Hydrologic Modelling
of the Daly River Catchment and Development of a Water Resource Monitoring
Strategy” was delivered in April 2008.
b. A consultant, EHA Pty Ltd, was commissioned to undertake activity items (iii) b.
and (iv) b. The consultant report “Integrated Hydrologic Modelling of the Darwin
Rural Area and Development of an Integrated Water Resource Monitoring
Strategy” was delivered in June 2007.
(iv) Completed.
a. Undertaken concurrently with activity item (iii) a. above by URS Australia Pty
Ltd.
b. Undertaken concurrently with activity item (iii) b. above by EHA Pty Ltd.
(v) Completed. The outcomes of the consultant reports on metering guidelines and
schemes, and the modelling and monitoring network designs relevant to the Daly
district have been presented to a number of stakeholder groups including the Daly
River Management Advisory Committee (DRMAC), Katherine Water Advisory
Committee (KWAC), at the Katherine District Show and Katherine public forums as
well as the undertaking of a stakeholder survey. The information relevant to the
Darwin Rural Area has been provided much less opportunity for dissemination as
water allocation planning for this region has not yet been undertaken. However, the
modelling, monitoring and the metering information in particular, have been
available to the public at the Fred’s Pass Rural Show and other public forums held
to announce the voluntary metering project. The voluntary metering project was
undertaken in an attempt to capture ‘actual’ water usage data from a cross-section
of rural area user groups. Various forms of media including radio, television and
printed media were used to inform the community of the project and survey.
Community information meetings conducted by NRETAS were also used to
promote the survey.
(vi) Completed. All data used to develop the guidelines, the new rural private water use
metering scheme, the models and the networks is considered to be the best
available at the time this project was undertaken. All effort has been made to
identify and filter erroneous data and value add as required or where applicable.
4.2.2
Phase Two
(i) Completed. The guidelines and metering scheme referred to in items 4.1.1(i) and
4.1.1(ii) above have been implemented for metering rural water use in the Daly
River Catchment and Darwin Rural Area.
a. A total of 105 water meters were installed during this project. However, due to
budgetary constraints, the volume purchase of high rate irrigation water meters
and stock and domestic water meters as proposed in the Funding Agreement,
could not be met. As well, the purchase of meters for deployment was
dependent largely on the number of volunteers and the need for information
within each of the user categories. For instance, there was a lack of volunteer
commercial growers and large scale horticulturalists and hence the original
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
13
proposal for the purchase of 100 high rate meters would not have been
judicious. Eventually, 28 high rate meters were installed to provide information
regarding commercial grower and horticultural water use and 77 low rate meters
installed for domestic users.
b. A new extension officer for water licence audits and meter calibration was
employed for this project;
c. Public and stakeholder feedback through a number of avenues regarding the
proposal to implement the metering guidelines and scheme for metering water
usage provides some basis for review. The feedback has clearly indicated that
two platforms exist – one for the rural residential users and another for the
commercial interests.
Nolan (2009) found that the volunteer metering project “had difficulty in securing
community support, due to the common perception that this type of information
is a prelude to the government charging for rural bore water consumption”.
Given this, rural residential users believed it was unfair when no real service is
provided and that the landowner had paid for the bore and equipment from the
onset. There was common awareness that large users were allowed to operate
(unmetered) and that they should be removed before any other necessary
action was undertaken. Therefore, it was concluded that if the metering of
domestic users were ever contemplated, much stronger justification than what is
currently available would be needed.
A recent interpretation of the NT Water Act, provided to inform NT Metering
Policy development, clearly states that stock and domestic use should not be
licensed, restricted or metered. Furthermore, a change to the Water Act to
allow licensing and metering of stock and domestic use in the Darwin Region
alone would require a $3M capital investment plus recurrent funding of $1.5M.
During the development of the Water Allocation Plan for the Tindall Limestone
Aquifer, Katherine (WRB, 2009), it was decided after extensive public
consultation, including a stringent cost-benefit analysis and an assessment of
the risk to the water resource, that not only is stock and domestic usage exempt
but that any other type of water use that is 5ML/year or less will not require
licensing or metering.
The feedback from the commercial sector and industry indicated that there was
greater understanding of the need to protect their investment with resource
management to ensure water security. Generally, the metering requirements
were considered acceptable, but some latitude in allowing reasonable time was
required for installation or grandfathering. An improved system for handling
meter readings was suggested. There was also a belief that all resource users
should be metered.
(ii) Completed. The integrated water resource models referred to in Item 4.1.1(iii) have
been developed and are currently available.
The Integrated Daly model has been, and is being used in the development of
water allocation plans and licensing decisions in the Daly aquifer systems of the
Tindall Limestone (near Katherine) and the Oolloo Dolostone which underlies the
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
14
central axis region of the basin. In each case, the model has proven to be
invaluable in synthesising long term flow records for the Katherine and Daly Rivers
respectively, to enable the planning parameters to be established and considered in
the plan. The model has also enabled individual and collective licensing scenarios
to be modelled so that the effect on environmental flows as well as other regional
impacts (eg. groundwater drawdown) may be evaluated at the planning stage.
For the Water Allocation Plan for the Tindall Limestone Aquifer, Katherine (WRB,
2009), the Integrated Daly model is to be deployed in determining the level at which
to announce the seasonal allocation. The allocation announcement is made on the
first day of May each year and each licensee will be notified of their allocated
amount. Ultimately, it is intended is to utilise the model to assist in determining
seasonal allocations throughout the Daly Catchment.
(iii) In Progress. As the Water Allocation Plan for the Tindall Limestone Aquifer,
Katherine (WRB, 2009) is the only plan yet declared, the opportunity for regular
assessments on the use, benefit and review of the integrated water resource
models referred to in 4.1.1(iii) is limited. However, the success met in applying the
modelling approach to this plan as a prototype will ensure that it is adopted as an
essential planning and management tool in the future in catchments where strong
surface water / groundwater connectivity issues are identified. Further, ongoing
model development and periodic update is now a recognised core activity in Water
Resource Branch (NRETAS) business and therefore this model is assured to
progress towards optimal development.
(iv) Completed. Integrated water resource monitoring networks for the Daly River
Catchment and the Darwin Rural Area have been successfully constructed. The
design of water resource monitoring networks for both the Daly River Catchment
and Darwin Rural Area sought to optimise value in terms of potential information
gain and strategic location to monitor impact due to future expected development.
In the Daly River Catchment, the majority of developments will be large scale
horticultural or pastoral. In the Darwin Rural Area, future developments are likely to
be land subdivision for rural residential living.
a. Water quality instrumentation in the form of turbidity meters have been
purchased and installed at a number of sites in the Daly River Catchment. The
intent of this network is to monitor the catchment erosion and sedimentation
issue at high river flows identified as potentially arising from future development.
However, in addition to this issue, nutrient transported via the groundwater
system to the spring sections and pools at low flows was also identified as a
potential threat. To address this, nutrient sampling to be undertaken manually,
will be implemented when extremely low flow regimes are being experienced in
the river.
b. A new boat and motor with adequate capacity to service a range of monitoring
needs on the Daly River, and additional gauging and sampling equipment have
been purchased.
c. The Daly River gauging station network was designed to provide information on
the gaining (spring) reaches of the river and its tributaries of the Katherine, Flora
and Douglas Rivers. Such a network was required to provide definitive
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
15
information regarding the relationship of the river to the groundwater system.
Nine new sites were nominated to provide comprehensive monitoring of dry
season flows in the catchment. Furthermore, a number of multi-purpose sites
throughout the catchment are required to also service a flood forecast and water
quality monitoring role. Therefore the construction and instrumentation of these
sites are designed to function under extreme flow conditions. Under the
available budget, six of the nine nominated sites were constructed as a priority.
Appendix A provides further information on these sites.
d. A hydrographic team dedicated to the Daly River Catchment has been
established. The team is highly skilled and multi-tasking to undertake a
spectrum of monitoring activities in the catchment including servicing gauging
station instrumentation, low flow gauging to flood flow boat gauging, undertake
water quality measurements, measure groundwater levels and service
downhole water level logging equipment.
Figure 2
New Gauging Station sites in the Daly River Catchment
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
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5
How the Project was Achieved
The following is a description of the operation, mechanisms and processes employed by
project personnel to perform the project and achieve the objectives.
5.1.
Project Activities
The Project required the undertaking of two distinct activity phases.
5.1.1
Phase One
The key activities undertaken in Phase One involved the engagement of three separate
consultants to deliver the integrated models and the metering specification guidelines.
Modelling and Monitoring
The modelling development for the Daly River Catchment initially required the combining of
two existing in-house FeFlow (Diersch, 2008) groundwater models - the Tindall Limestone
(Knapton, 2006) and Oolloo Dolostone (Knapton, 2005) systems, into a single large FeFlow
model representing the entire Daly Basin aquifer system. This model was then required to be
further developed based on updated data. Concurrently, a Mike11 (DHI, 2007) surface water
model of the Daly River system was developed by DHI Australia (URS, 2008). Both the
groundwater and surface water models were then “coupled” to result in the integrated Daly
model (URS, 2008). A scheme for integrated monitoring of the Daly River Catchment was
recommended in the report.
The model of the dolomite aquifer underlying the Darwin Rural area was a development based
on an existing in-house two layer finite difference Modflow (McDonald et al, 1998) model
(Yin Foo, 2004). This model was converted to a three layer FeFlow groundwater model (EHA,
2007) with greater definition of the aquifer at the base of the Cretaceous sediments. There
was also more detail in both the mapping of the monsoon vine forest ‘patches’ which invariably
indicate spring discharge points in the groundwater system, and the evapotranspiration
component from these areas. A scheme for integrated monitoring of the surface water and
groundwater systems in the Darwin Rural area was recommended in the report.
Metering
The metering consultancy was required to establish guidelines for selecting water meters
consistent with any national standards under development as appropriate to the Northern
Territory, design a new scheme for metering of private water use and introduce a new scheme
for consistent metering of private rural water use, and investigate the viability of bulk
purchasing of meters and options for cost recovery through licence fees. The current metering
system was reviewed and a range of shortcomings identified - improvements were
recommended and these should rectify the shortcomings (GHD, 2007).
5.1.2
Phase Two
The Phase Two activities applied the work recommended in the consultants’ reports. The key
activities included the implementation of integrated water resource monitoring networks for the
Daly River Catchment and the Darwin Rural Area, the implementation of the new guidelines
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
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and scheme for metering private rural water use in the Daly River Catchment and Darwin Rural
Area and a public/stakeholder review of the first year of implementation.
Monitoring
Work to implement the consultants’ recommendations for the development of integrated
monitoring networks in the Daly River Catchment and the Darwin Rural Area (DRA) initially
involved the expansion of groundwater monitoring networks in each region. The networks had
largely been established, however, gaps existed in the spatial coverage for both areas, specific
aquifer information and facility to target the monitoring of hydrogeological interaction with
groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDE). In both areas, the GDE monitoring bores would
indicate behaviour and response, and spring discharge mechanisms as well as to be used to
monitor for trigger levels if required.
Ten sites were identified in the Darwin Rural Area and these were drilled soon after the
consultant report was furnished. In the Daly region, twelve sites to improve spatial
groundwater level coverage in the Oolloo Dolostone and Tindall Limestone aquifer were drilled
over two seasons. Further sites for the monitoring of specific springs in the Oolloo Dolostone
aquifer are being installed at the present time.
The surface water monitoring requirements for the Daly River and its tributaries as identified in
the consultant report (URS, 2008) were to provide capacity to measure and later determine
impact on discharges to the spring sections of the catchment. As a minimum, the network
essentially sought to establish gauging stations at either end of the major spring sections and
would serve as a low flow monitoring network. However, since the Daly River Catchment
frequently experiences flooding situations, the majority of the existing stations were
strategically located to inform of flood flow regimes and provide data for flood forecast
modelling purposes. Consequently, the network was largely unsuitable for low flow monitoring.
An issue arising from the planning and development of the new network was that the sites
needed to be strategically located to suit a multiplicity of purposes.
Further to this, the project milestones pre-empted the water quality monitoring needs in
specifying auto water sampling equipment be installed at four of the gauging stations (refer
Milestone 7). It was recognised that such installations would not be cost effective to build nor
suitable for the identified monitoring needs. The reasons are detailed below:

All gauging station infrastructure and equipment was located above the maximum
probable flood level. This would mean a head lift of over 30m in some cases to obtain
a pumped sample for the auto sampler and therefore significant sizing of equipment
would be required.

Auto water samplers are reputed to be highly unreliable, require constant maintenance
and sample at a specific depth. To accommodate most sediment sampling situations in
the Daly River (ie. during high or flood flows), the pumping equipment would be set
above the river level for most of the year.

Considering the water quality issue at very low flow was identified as nutrient load
emanating from springs and resulting in algal proliferation in pools, the proposed
gauging stations were not strategically sited for this purpose.
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
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
At high flows, the water quality issue was identified as sediment load. At most of the
proposed gauging station sites, suspended sediment sampling would be largely
unwarranted. Significant issues may be expected downstream in the Daly River since
most land development is proposed in the Stray Creek area.
It was decided that when very low flows were imminent, then manual sampling would be
undertaken at the critical pools and staff would be deployed specifically for the sampling work.
The water samples could be preserved and dispatched for laboratory analysis immediately.
For sediment monitoring, significantly more cost effective turbidity meters would be installed at
each station as a surrogate. Used in association with acoustic doppler technology and a
regime of verification sampling, this system will provide comprehensive acquisition of turbidity
data in conjunction with flow measurement and cross-sectional distribution of sediment load. A
relationship between turbidity and sediment load would need to be later explored.
The gauging stations G8140535 (Ironwood) and G8140536 (Wilden) were the first sites
constructed and were established to monitor the spring section of the Katherine River. Further
stations were later constructed to enable monitoring of the spring sections of the Flora,
Douglas and Daly Rivers. These are located as shown in Figure 2 and equipped as specified
in Appendix A.
The recommended surface water monitoring system in the Darwin Rural Area was already
established and no new constructions were necessary in this area. However, the consultant
report (EHA, 2007) recommended a number of sites for regular (manual) stream gauging.
Metering
The consultant report (GHD, 2007) recommended the best option for bulk purchasing of
meters was through the supplier. The preferred scheme to ensure accurate metering was for
the installation to be conducted by the Department or its approved contractor and where the
Department retains ownership of the meter.
The meters proposed for purchase and installation are manufactured by Sensus, one of the
world’s largest water meter manufacturers and distributed in Australia by Tyco Environmental
Systems. These are mechanical turbine meters that can be installed and serviced with
minimal training and have all the necessary facilities for connection to a variety of data
collection, display and transmission options. The calibration of the meters can be undertaken
by removal and replacement of measuring elements after they have been calibrated in the
factory.
At the commencement of the Phase Two implementation program, a contract was released in
early December 2007 to provide initial supplies to fit out bores with appropriate meters.
Delivery of this contract was slow with the final meters being supplied in late May 2008. The
cost of the meters increased significantly since the project was originally proposed due to the
rising cost of steel and demand outstripping supply. When this is taken into account along with
the need to use commercial installers for some meter installations, it became apparent that the
bulk purchase of 100 high rate and 200 stock and domestic water meters within the minimum
specification would not be possible within the allocated budget (refer Budget in Section 4.1 of
Funding Agreement). A less ambitious quantity of 79 stock and domestic water meters and
considerably less high rate meters than initially anticipated was eventually installed.
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
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In mid-2007 the Bore Metering Project was launched with a number of public meetings and a
range of media items designed to cultivate rural residents’ interest in the project. This effort
was successful with 194 volunteers for metering. The bores volunteered for metering were
assessed for suitability by a departmental officer and the results of the assessment
communicated to them both verbally and formally. Those volunteers with suitable bores were
asked to sign a simple contract (dealing with access, indemnities and reporting) with the
Department before meter installation could commence. A large number (50+) of volunteers
declined to sign the contract or did not return the contracts which left the number of suitable
meters with owners’ signing contracts at just over 100.
In total, 72 x 50mm, 20 x 80mm, 5 x 100mm and 1 x 200mm of the Sensus meters have been
installed. As the number of volunteers with smaller bores was greater than expected while the
number of volunteers with larger bores is lower than expected, the Department arranged with
the supplier to exchange a number of the larger (80mm+) meters for smaller (50mm) meters.
Further, a number of bores were assessed as having too low a flow for equipping with the
Sensus meters. As the total number of representative bores could be too low given that
restriction, a number of 25mm ARAD meters were purchased off the shelf. These meters have
shown great reliability in short-term (up to 3 years) low flow and intermittent-use situations in
the Darwin Region. In total, 7 x 25mm ARAD meters were installed.
Of the 105 meters installed, 8 have been installed in the Katherine/Daly region with the rest in
the Darwin Region. In the Darwin Region, all the major aquifers have metered bores as well
as the majority of the lower yielding aquifers. The installations represent a wide range of rural
land and water use environments including Dundee, Batchelor, Darwin River, Berry Springs,
Bees Creek, Humpty Doo, Virginia, Howard Springs, Lambells Lagoon, Middle Point and on
the outskirts of Palmerston. The locations of the installed meters are shown in Figures 3 and
4.
The data and detailed outcomes of the Voluntary Metering Project are presented in
Wicks (2009).
Figure 3
Locations of Voluntarily
Metered Bores in the Darwin Region
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
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Figure 4
Locations of Voluntarily
Metered Bores in the Katherine Region
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
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6
Overall Project Evaluation
This section provides a summary of the achievements under this project in respect of the
objectives.
6.1.
Water Allocation Planning
The Water Allocation Plan for the Tindall Limestone Aquifer, Katherine (WRB, 2009), has been
produced and declared during the course of this project. Another, for the Oolloo Dolostone, is
well progressed and is expected to be completed and declared by the end of 2010. This
information has been publicised in a brochure entitled “Water allocation planning Oolloo
Dolostone Aquifer, Daly Region” (DRMAC, 2009)
This project has been successful in providing assistance in a number of areas of water
allocation plan development. In particular,

The Integrated Water Resource models developed have affirmed the understanding of
resource behaviour and process,

Hydrogeological understanding as verified by modelling has provided greater
confidence in predicting the effect and impact of water resource development within the
basins,

The models are deployed as an ongoing planning tool as the output provided the basis
for determining seasonal allocations,

It has enabled the identification of strategic monitoring needs and the nature and
location of infrastructure based on a holistic catchment approach,

Enabled the construction of priority monitoring sites,

Enabled the devising of an approach to metering to obtain the data required to estimate
basin wide water usage with a view to applying the standards developed to a future
water licensing scheme.
6.2.
Strategic Development and Use of Smart Technology
The use of smart technology surrounds the application of ‘smart’ and innovative software for
Integrated Water Resource modelling and state-of-the-art monitoring instrumentation and
communication strategies. In summary, the project facilitated

The development of a catchment wide (holistic) integrated surface water / groundwater
model to assist in water management – specifically to determine seasonal water
allocations to licensees. This model used cutting edge proprietary software which
integrates surface water and groundwater models to eliminate the connectivity and
“double accounting issue”. In this project, the water resources of the Daly Basin
required the integration of a surface water model (Daly River system) using the
Mike11® (DHI, 2007) software with two (2) groundwater systems (Oolloo Dolostone
and Tindal Limestone aquifer systems) using the FeFlow® (Diersch, 2008) groundwater
modelling software. The integration of the software was enabled by the IFMMike11®
(Monninkhoff, 2005) coupling module.

The deployment of Smart Technology in the surface water monitoring systems of the
Daly River system. A number of stations in the catchment serve a ‘multi-purpose’ role.
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
22
This means that they have the capacity to monitor the entire range of river flows and
take advantage of the synergies developed with another project running in parallel – the
Daly Flood Forecasting system. The instrumentation installed in each station is
serviced by a telemetry system providing data including flow, river height and turbidity the use of telemetry is primarily to service the priority real time requirements of the
flood modelling and forecasting system. The approach to measuring low to medium
river flow regimes utilises state-of-the-art instrumentation – specifically, Acoustic
Doppler technology is utilised where possible to provide accurate measurements.
Turbidity meters are triggered at the higher stage flows to monitor the mobilisation of
sediment from the catchment.

The project applies an integrated water resources modelling approach as a tool to
inform water management and planning, and provides the basis in determining
seasonal allocations to licensees.

The model has been successfully applied in synthesising a 109 year historical flow
record for statistical analysis based on rainfall measurements over that period. This
data ensures that variations in water resource availability are considered in the context
of the entire historical record and has been invaluable in developing the sustainable
planning parameters to be applied for water allocation.

A significant outcome of the Voluntary Metering Project was the decision to require all
licence holders in the new Metering Policy to install and maintain meters, and report
usage. Even highly motivated volunteers did not report all the time and there were
some misunderstandings over the difference between the Department’s role in
maintaining meters and the land owners reporting usage. The amount of maintenance
required and the misunderstandings over reporting contributed to the eventual decision.
6.3.
Challenges Encountered and Lessons Learned

The timeframe for delivery of the project has proven to be significantly underestimated.
One important factor was the limited window of opportunity available for access to
construct the river gauging station sites – seasonal access to some sites has been
compounded by a series of very high rainfall wet seasons and consequent high river
flows (and therefore heights) restricting the construction of infrastructure within the
river.

Obtaining clearances from the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) to
construct the proposed river gauging station sites required significant lead times.
Applications for the last two stations were approved nearly 12 months after their
submission. However, considering the investment to be made in each site, and that
infringements regarding Aboriginal sites of significance carry severe penalties in the
NT, it is without question that certificates need to be obtained as a prerequisite.

The Daly River catchment represents an area of over 82000 square kilometres. The
river distances are long and access to most parts of it is only possible by boat. Travel
to various sites along it is difficult during the dry season due to the presence of rock
bars, and gathering data and working on the river is hazardous due to large crocodiles.

The software used for the integrated model has limited usage in Australia at this
present time and therefore a limited knowledge base. Development of the model was
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
23
therefore a considerable (and underestimated) part of the project as well as obtaining
the data to populate the required input datasets.

Engagement of the community and the Water Advisory Committees for each of the
areas for which water allocation plans are being developed is undoubtedly the most
time consuming part of the planning process.

Probably the most valuable lesson learnt has been through the planning process.
Under the scenario of ‘high’ seasonal rainfalls experienced in the past 10 years, the
water resources in the Top End are seemingly inexhaustible and the possibility of over
exploitation or poor water availability beyond contemplation. However, with the
capacity to synthesise a long term river flow record through integrated modelling of the
groundwater and surface water system, we are able to analyse the system in the
context of over 100 years of ‘virtual’ flow data. This would not be possible otherwise.
The record indicates that the system is vulnerable to periods of low rainfall and needs
to be managed in order to sustain the high value ecosystems that the river supports.

Stakeholder views, and particularly the public, expressed through consultations with
Nolan (2009), the Voluntary Metering Project and Departmental officer Compliance
Inspections indicate there is a general distrust in the Government’s water metering
objective, regardless that there has never been any suggestion to include stock and
domestic users. The public’s rejection of the perception of metering stock and
domestic use is based on the belief that no real service is provided and the landowner
has already paid for the bore and pumping equipment.

The prospect of metering commercially based users has been received with less
anxiety than the general public as the security of water is recognised as vital to
business sustainability. However, it is noted that only a limited number of ‘high end’
users were captured to participate in the Voluntary Metering Project.

In the Darwin Region, it is clear that the size of the residential block did not play a
strong part in the level of usage. For example, a Rural Living 1ha block used on
average as much water as a 16ha block.

The Voluntary Metering Project findings were the impetus for a strong push by the
Cutflower Grower’s Association to increase the level of metering within their industry.
The initiative is supported by this Department through the provision of meters bought by
this project but not yet used, and by the Department of Resources (Primary Industry
Division) through the provision of training and agronomic services. The peak body for
the nursery industry (Nursery and Gardens Industry Australia) is also strongly
encouraging their members in the Darwin region to start a concerted metering effort as
well as to improve water conservation. Also, this Department has contacted all the
schools in the Rural Area in an effort to increase metering and to encourage other
water conservation measures as well as offering assistance with class lessons on water
conservation.

The intent and approach to achieving the objectives of this project have been validated
in the light of experience. Notwithstanding the various setbacks and difficulties
discussed above, this project successfully delivers the outcomes as planned.
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
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7
Further Work
7.1.
Water Allocation Planning

Review of the Water Allocation Plan for the Tindall Limestone Aquifer (WRB, 2009) is
due every 5 years.

A water allocation plan for the Oolloo Dolostone Aquifer, Daly Region is currently in
progress. This plan is anticipated for declaration at the end of 2010.

A water allocation plan for the Jinduckin Aquifer in the Katherine region will be
commenced in 2011.

An Overarching Daly Basin water allocation plan is proposed for commencement in
2013.

A water allocation plan for the Top End encompassing the greater Darwin Region, and
including the Darwin Rural area is proposed for commencement in 2011.

As this project has furnished information and implemented work which will contribute to
the development of all water allocation plans in the Darwin and Daly regions, DEWHA
will be informed these future plans are completed and declared.
7.2.
Modelling

The Daly model is currently updated on a seasonal basis as a decision support tool for
the determination of the allocation announcement on 1 May as a condition of the Water
Allocation Plan for the Tindall Limestone Aquifer (WRB, 2009). To facilitate this, the
catchment rainfall record is updated on 1 April to enable a recalculation of the model
recharge input. The allocation announcement is dependent on the predicted flow on
1 November in the Katherine River at the nominated control.

The Daly Integrated model will undergo continual development on the basis of the
acquisition of further monitoring data – the new gauging station network will provide
accurate, unambiguous river flow data and internally funded programs to install further
groundwater monitoring sites will ensure that more spatially comprehensive
groundwater level data will become available in the future.

Further work including detailed mapping and elevation surveys of the river controls,
bathymetric surveys of the river and in particular the more significant pools, completion
of elevation surveys for monitoring bores and gauging stations across the basin and
comprehensive mapping of the gaining sections and significant springs in the river will
provide a high level of detail for input to the next generation Daly Integrated model.

Data for re-development of the model of the McMinns/Howard East groundwater
system underlying Darwin’s rural area is continually being acquired. Since its
construction in Phase One of this project, further and more comprehensive
groundwater level data has been acquired and an elevation survey of the region’s
monitoring bores has been undertaken for integration into the model. As well,
contributing to the next generation build of the model will be new data resulting from
research to quantify the groundwater component of evapotranspiration from the
region’s monsoon vine thickets (GDEs), a detailed study of the Koolpinyah dolomite
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
25
basement to improve mapping of permeability and partitioning in the aquifer currently
being undertaken and the results of the Voluntary Metering Project applied for
remapping of water use throughout the region.

7.3.
Further work is currently being conducted to improve the estimation of recharge for
model input in both the Darwin and Daly regions. This includes infiltration research in a
number of soil types and environments and mapping of them, detailed vegetation
mapping to improve tree water use estimates and improving the estimation of
catchment runoff.
Monitoring

Groundwater and surface water monitoring programs are ongoing. This will involve the
development of flow ratings for the new gauging stations.

Improvements in continuous logging systems and the telemetry of data for real time
observation of river flow continue to be implemented.

Installation of further continuous groundwater logging systems across both the Darwin
and Daly regions to improve the current regime of manually acquired data providing
four data points annually.

Installation of further rainfall stations in the Daly River catchment for more spatially
comprehensive coverage.

Monitoring of specific springs as required under current and future water allocation
planning – Katherine Hot Springs and other springs in the Katherine River, large
springs in the Daly River (Oolloo area) and Howard Springs.

Development and execution of an implementation plan to monitor water quality in the
Daly River under the new Framework (Risby, 2009).
7.4.
Metering

In total, 135 meters were purchased with 105 volunteers signed up during the project.
There remain 30 meters of varying sizes including 80mm, 100mm and 150mm. These
meters will be made available to further volunteers on the condition that they sign an
agreement which will enable NRETAS to secure the data in exchange. Previously, all
meters were installed by the metering officer or contractors facilitated through this
project - as there is no longer this capacity, all subsequent meters will be 'self installed'
at own cost.

It is proposed to keep all the meters deployed as long as possible so that a dataset to
indicate 'user response' to the changing seasonal and climatic conditions can be
developed.

The remaining mostly higher rate meters from this project will be used in a follow-up
project managed by the NRETAS in conjunction with the Northern Territory Horticultural
Association (NTHA). Through their membership, the NTHA will place 20 meters in the
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
26
Darwin Rural areas of Berry Springs, McMinns/Howard East and Acacia Hills. Water
Allocation Plan development will proceed in these areas within the next 1 – 3 years.

The NTHA have also identified placement of 7 meters amongst the Asian vegetable
market growers in the local region through the Freshcare program. These growers
provide produce to the Darwin and Palmerston markets and other local retail outlets.
Whilst these growers are significant in number, their water use regime is largely
unknown. The Freshcare program is essentially an on-farm assurance program which
describes the practices required to provide fresh produce that is safe to eat, with
preparation to customer specifications and legislative requirements; and has been
grown with care for the environment.

Three meters will be deployed in the Tiwi Islands north of Darwin where a WAP is
currently being developed. There is no water usage data available for this area and
hence the meters will target the plantation projects and community irrigation schemes.
Sustainable Development and Management of Water Resources in Northern Australia: A Model Approach
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8
References
CSIRO, (2009), “Water in northern Australia. Summary of reports to the Australian Government
from the CSIRO Northern Australia Sustainable Yields Project”, CSIRO, Australia,
August 2009.
Daly River Management Advisory Committee (DRMAC)., (2009), “Water allocation planning
Oolloo Dolostone Aquifer, Daly Region”, Department of Natural Resources,
Environment, The Arts and Sport, Darwin, 2009
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APPENDIX A
Project Gauging Station Sites
on the Daly River System
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A1
General
This section provides a summary of the instrumentation installed at each gauging station site.
A2
Katherine River at Ironwood Station – G8140535
Location Map 53 L E 0207413 N 8403568
Instrumentation – Gas purge system with IRIS 320 data logger & Next G modem, HS 3100
pressure transducer, dry bubble unit, TB3 Rain Gauge, gas chamber bellows.
A3
Katherine River at Wilden Station – G8140536
Location Map 53 L E 0185506 N 8387267
Instrumentation – Gas purge system with IRIS 320 data logger &
Iridium Satellite modem, HS 3100 pressure transducer, dry bubble
unit, TB3 Rain Gauge, gas chamber bellows.
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A4
Daly River at Theyona Station – G8140098
Location Map 52 L E 0752931 N 8434086
Instrumentation – Gas purge system with IRIS 350 data logger & Iridium Satellite modem,
Trident gas purge system with HS 3100 pressure transducer, TB3 Rain Gauge, gas chamber
bellows.
A5
Douglas River at Tipperary Xing – G8140325
Location Map 52 L E 0733465 N 8468987
Instrumentation – Gas purge system with IRIS 350 data logger & Iridium Satellite modem,
Trident gas purge system with HS 3100 pressure transducer, TB3 Rain Gauge, gas chamber
bellows.
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A6
Douglas River at Tippera Waterhole – G8140538
Location Map 52 L E 0741404 N 8471720
Instrumentation – Gas purge system with IRIS 350 data logger & Iridium Satellite modem,
Trident gas purge system with HS 3100 pressure transducer, TB3 Rain Gauge, gas chamber
bellows.
A7
Flora River at Stoney Ck – G8140205
Location - The installation is located at 52 L E 788258 N 8374585
Instrumentation – Gas purge system with IRIS 350 data logger & Iridium Satellite modem,
Trident gas purge system with HS 3100 pressure transducer, TB3 Rain Gauge, gas chamber
bellows.
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