Groundwater in the Far North of South Australia is important for the success of the mining, petroleum, pastoral and tourism industries, and the provision of community water supplies. The continued success and expansion of these industries is dependent on balancing the needs of existing users and the environment. Of particular importance are the spring wetland communities in the discharge areas of the Great Artesian Basin (GAB).
Recent investigations focused on the western margin of the GAB indicate long-term (natural) pressure declines and may be in permanent transience. Additionally, ongoing research and data collation has improved our understanding of the complex hydrostratigraphy and hydrodynamics of the region. This improved characterisation of the groundwater system provides a basis for the ongoing management of extraction to ensure aquifer pressure reductions are within acceptable limits at defined management boundaries.
With demand expected to grow, particularly in the mining and petroleum industries, the development of a new numerical groundwater model is required to test current knowledge and determine key knowledge gaps. This model is also required as a tool to inform ongoing management of groundwater resources within the main GAB aquifer and for future assessment of resource allocations for major developments.
This presentation provides a brief overview of work currently being undertaken by the Government of South Australia and partners developing a conceptual groundwater model for the Far North of South Australia prior to the construction of a numerical groundwater model. The resultant numerical groundwater model will be primarily designed to assess changes in aquifer pressures due to: (i) extraction by existing users at full allocation according to regulatory guidelines, and (ii) an increase of co-produced water extraction. Changes in aquifer pressure may impact spring wetland communities (where dependent or partly dependent on groundwater), existing users and management boundaries.