Kevin Humphries/Anthony Roberts med rel: Protecting NSW’s Precious Water Resources

The NSW Government today announced a ground-breaking new framework to map, monitor and protect groundwater resources across NSW.

Minister for Natural Resources, Lands and Water Kevin Humphries and Minister for Resources and Energy Anthony Roberts said the Water Monitoring Framework will transform how water data is captured and used to protect the State’s precious water resources.

“For the first time in Australia state-of-the-art computer modelling will be used in conjunction with groundwater baseline data to map and protect underground water resources in NSW,” Mr Humphries said.

“Water is the lifeblood of communities across the State and that is why the NSW government is increasing mapping and monitoring to make informed decisions that ensure our water resources are protected.

“Starting first in the Gunnedah, Gloucester and Clarence Moreton basins, we will use start-of-the-art technology to map underground water and provide baseline water profiles.

“Experts will study groundwater availability in these basins, and carefully analyse where industries such as agriculture and mining draw their water from and the volume allocated within the different systems.

“Once complete, this mapping will provide real-time data from bores across these basins that will be used as an ‘early warning’ system to quickly identify threats to water resources, tackle the causes, and prevent future problems.”

Through the Water Monitoring Framework, the NSW Government will:
Improve governance and accountability of water data and water management;
Enhance data monitoring and real time reporting to provide greater confidence to the community about impacts on water quality and quantity from various extractive industries; and
Improve community access to baseline water data information, led by the NSW Land and Water Commissioner.

Mr Humphries said the web-based monitoring and visualisation software developed by the National Information Communications Technology Australia (NICTA) will provide unprecedented information on all aspects of groundwater systems.

“Some of these basins have not been comprehensively monitored in the past as there has been little demand for groundwater,” Mr Humphries said.

“As part of this initiative, new monitoring bores will be installed across the key basins and real-time data from these bores will be published on the NSW Office of Water website.

“This framework will ensure that water monitoring and evidence-based information adequately supports the long-term sustainable management of the State’s water resources.”

Mr Roberts said the vast majority of water allocation in NSW – between 60 to 70 per cent – is used for irrigated agriculture, while 1.5 per cent of the State’s water is used by the mining industry.

“Whether water is being used for agricultural, mining or household use, it is crucial that we continue to investigate and monitor activity within the basins and protect the State’s valuable water resources,” Mr Roberts said.

“To ensure we have the basis for sound decision making, we have drawn on independent advice from Australia’s most respected scientific experts.

“Once these three basins have been mapped, this crucial monitoring and modelling project will continue across NSW.

“The Water Monitoring Framework will provide NSW with honest, independent and consistent oversight and further strengthen the toughest regulations for mining and gas in Australia.”