Our plan for Groundwater
Our region’s biggest knowledge gap is our groundwater systems and resources. On the whole, they are less well understood and mapped, and subsequently subject to less monitoring, reporting and scrutiny than our other natural assets. The Queensland Government reports on groundwater levels for some of our region, and the Office of Groundwater Impact Assessment prepares impact reports for the Surat Cumulative Management Area every 3 years. As such we do not really know how past and current groundwater use and land management has impacted our groundwater systems, or surface systems they support. Given groundwater’s significance to our industries, waterways and landscapes, this presents a considerable concern. As our weather patterns change and our need for food, water and housing increases, our groundwater will face increasing use, the impacts of which could stretch well beyond our region and generation. Our focus needs to urgently turn towards understanding and sustainably managing this most precious resource.
Key attribute – Groundwater dependent ecosystems
Key attribute – Water levels and pressure
Goal 1 – Extent and condition of groundwater dependent ecosystems is maintained or improved
- Target 1: By 2025 extent of groundwater dependent ecosystems are mapped and baseline conditions captured and measured
- Target 2: Extent and function of groundwater dependent ecosystems is maintained or improved
Strategies:
| 9. Build knowledge and awareness about sustainable long-term use of groundwater resources. |
| 11. Build knowledge and awareness about groundwater-dependent ecosystems. |
| 12. Develop, promote and support management practices that protect, maintain and restore critical groundwater-dependent ecosystems. |
Achieving this target also benefits these assets and drivers:
Strategies:
| 10. Promote and support management practices that reduce demands on water resources manage salinity risk and avoid contamination of water sources. |
| 11. Build knowledge and awareness about groundwater-dependent ecosystems. |
| 12. Develop, promote and support management practices that protect, maintain and restore critical groundwater-dependent ecosystems. |
Achieving this target also benefits these assets and drivers:
Goal 2 – Longterm groundwater levels and pressures are maintained
- Target 1: By 2023 knowledge gaps are addressed so that appropriate level and targets can be set for our region's aquifers
- Target 2: Individual aquifer levels, pressures and integrity are maintained or improved
Strategies:
| 9. Build knowledge and awareness about sustainable long-term use of groundwater resources. |
| 11. Build knowledge and awareness about groundwater-dependent ecosystems. |
| 12. Develop, promote and support management practices that protect, maintain and restore critical groundwater-dependent ecosystems. |
Achieving this target also benefits these assets and drivers:
Strategies:
| 9. Build knowledge and awareness about sustainable long-term use of groundwater resources. |
| 10. Promote and support management practices that reduce demands on water resources manage salinity risk and avoid contamination of water sources. |
Achieving this target also benefits these assets and drivers:
Key attribute – Groundwater quality
Goal 3 – Groundwater quality is maintained
Strategies:
| 9. Build knowledge and awareness about sustainable long-term use of groundwater resources. |
| 10. Promote and support management practices that reduce demands on water resources manage salinity risk and avoid contamination of water sources. |
| 12. Develop, promote and support management practices that protect, maintain and restore critical groundwater-dependent ecosystems. |
Achieving this target also benefits these assets and drivers:
On-ground Action
Gladstone Region Economic Transition Roadmap 2022-2032
Protecting Biodiversity since ’73!: Capricorn Conservation Council
Bringing Nature back to Frenchmans Creek, Rockhampton: CQUniversity
Fitzroy Basin Association: Australian Government Funded Projects
