Get reliable rangeland science

Ground water is the only reliable water source in the Far North of South Australia with approximately 70% of the water take coming from the Great Artesian Basin (GAB). Management of the GAB resources is critical to the health of ecological communities including GAB Springs and the viability of the pastoral, mining and tourism industries in the South Australian Arid Lands region. Demands on the GAB are likely to increase in the future due to the projected growth in mining, petroleum, and geothermal industries. Much of South Australia's pastoral region falls within the Far North Prescribed Wells Area where water take is managed through licenced allocation. The South Australian Licenced Water Use Metering Policy requires licensed water to be taken through an approved method. Water meters are the default method for accounting for groundwater take however alternatives to water metering can be considered and documented within a meter implementation plan. With guidance from an advisory group consisting of pastoral industry members with an interest or experience in groundwater management, along with government representation, field trials are in progress testing water accounting solutions against key criteria of reliability, practicality, cost and accuracy. Trial sites have been selected to ensure water accounting methods are tested across a variety of land types, hydrogeological conditions, and consider water consumption of native and feral animals. The results of the field trials will guide development of policy and accounting methods that meet the requirements associated with managing a prescribed groundwater resource in a way that does not significantly impact a pastoral business; ideally adding value to the businesses such as improved understanding of sto ck water requirements and water point management and security. The presentation will provide background on groundwater policy in South Australia and an overview of the field trials including progress and learnings.