Northern Territory groundwater stocktake
Project details
| Objective: | To update and improve current data and groundwater resource understanding in the Northern Territory. |
| Funding: |
$825,000 plus GST |
| Jurisdiction: | Northern Territory |
| Commenced: | April 2009 |
| Completion: | December 2011 |
About the project
The National Groundwater Action Plan addresses the serious knowledge and resource impediments that hinder better management of Australia's groundwater resources. The work undertaken in compiling groundwater data for the National Land and Water Resources Audit 2000 and Australian Water Resources 2005 highlighted the large gaps in groundwater knowledge across the Northern Territory.
This project - to be conducted by the Northern Territory Department of Natural Resources, Environment, the Arts and Sport (NRETAS) - will collate existing information, identify critical knowledge gaps and develop a program to systematically acquire new scientific data.
The project will complement current projects including the Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge (TRaCK) program and the Northern Australia Sustainable Yields Assessment.
Project benefits
The project will improve access to groundwater data in the Northern Territory and support the acquisition of new water information required for comprehensive water balance assessments. Better understanding of groundwater resources in the Northern Territory will contribute to more effective water planning and management.
Progress
July 2010
Groundwater data gaps using the guiding principles of the Strategic Water Information Monitoring Plan (SWIMP) and knowledge of Northern Territory aquifers have been developed. A prioritised list of aquifers to be mapped ibased on Northern Territory Government declared Water Control Districts, where groundwater is the primary contributor to water supply includes the Daly Basin, Darwin Rural Area, Alice Springs, Ti-Tree, Western Davenport, Tennant Creed, the Great Artesian Basin and Gove.
Drilling and groundwater sampling and Rain gauge installation across the Top End will collect data to help improve groundwater recharge modelling.