National Groundwater Action Plan projects
The following projects have been announced:
Assessment of inter-aquifer leakage in the Great Artesian Basin
This project, to be conducted by Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Water, will study the inter-aquifer leakage in the Great Artesian Basin (GAB).
Coal seam methane gas co-produced water - Waterlines discussion paper
The project will produce a National Water Commission Waterlines discussion paper, which will consider both national and international experiences and also examine the use of waste water from the onshore oil and gas industry.
A new approach to accounting for groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDEs) and surface water systems
This project, conducted by the Victorian Department of Sustainability and Environment, will develop a new approach to account for groundwater-dependant ecosystems (GDEs) and surface water systems when developing water management plans.
Quantifying surface water/groundwater exchange using thermal and chemical measurements
This project, to be conducted by the University of New South Wales, will help quantify the exchange of surface water and groundwater in river beds. This will improve the mapping of connections and interactions between surface and groundwater.
Development of a method to correct for hydrostatic pressure changes on adjacent aquifer responses
This project will contribute to better understanding of the connections between deep and shallow aquifers, by investigating aquifer pressure reductions and subsequent level changes and developing a method to correct for hydrostatic pressure changes on adjacent aquifers.
National standards on groundwater mapping, definitions and assessment
This project will develop a nationally-consistent groundwater mapping, definitions and management guidelines to improve water management in and between jurisdictions.
ACT aquifer storage and recovery feasibility study
This project will investigate the possibility of using ASR to store water in aquifers that would normally have been stored in a large reservoir.
Feasibility of implementing MAR schemes for agricultural purposes
This project to investigate the advantages, disadvantages, economic feasibility, suitability of regulatory frameworks and the barriers to implementing MAR schemes for agricultural purposes.
Preliminary feasibility assessment planning studies for MAR in urban cities
This project will assess the occurrence and potential risk of seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers in the Darwin peri-urban area.
National assessment of surface water/ groundwater connectivity
This project will carry out an analytical assessment of the magnitude and timing of current and future groundwater extraction interaction with stream flow in a minimum of 70 priority catchments across Australia.
Northern Territory coastal plain
This project will assess the occurrence and potential risk of seawater intrusion into coastal aquifers in the Darwin peri-urban area.
Improved understanding of stressed aquifers
This project will provide funding to states and territories to fill knowledge and scientific gaps in specific stressed or priority aquifers.
Potential local and cumulative impacts of mining on groundwater resources
This project will develop national tools and methodologies to understand and manage the local and cumulative impacts of mining on water resources.
Deep Australian Water Resource Information System (DAWRIS)
This project will determine the availability and location of data to develop a Deep Australian Water Resource Information System.
Assessment of groundwater bore deterioration
This project will determine the possible economic impact of the deterioration and the cost of rehabilitation of bores.
Project funding themes
Projects are funded under the following themes:
- Harmonisation of groundwater definitions and standards, and improved governance and management practices
- Northern Australia Groundwater Stocktake
- National assessment of sites suitable for managed aquifer recharge and recovery
- Vulnerability of groundwater dependent ecosystems
- Investigation of groundwater-surface water inter-connectivity
- Strategic aquifer characterisation to quantify sustainable yields
- National review of groundwater potential for deep fresh, saline and brackish waters
- Managing risks to groundwater quality
More information about themes will be available shortly.