Here is the current thinking behind the groundwater numbers in the draft basin plan.
As reported this morning the Authoirty is planning to open up another 2,400 gigs of groundwater for extraction across the basin. That is more than double that can be taken now.
The number in this doc, from September, are a little out of date now. The Authoirty is talking about a groundwater diversion limit of 400 gigs less than what these number add up too. But the quantam is about right for each system.
This is also a massive increase of about 2200 gigs from the guide.
Why? Good question. The states are leaning hard on groundwater. The Authority says it got new infromation from the states that has lead to the massive change.
Of course groundwater once on the surface can be traded and will count about the surface water SDLs…
October 26, 2011 at 4:40 am
Tom, that document has been around for a while. Friends of the Earth have just decided to try to get their name up in lights by “revealing” it when it doesn’t actually “reveal” anything new.
The role of the MDBA is to assess the sustainability of aquifers. It has assessed some as currently below sustainable extractions. They are primarily saline systems that are of no use to irrigated agriculture. It’s also important to note that a determination from the MDBA that they are below sustainable extraction does not require them to be further used – that’s a State Government determination. In respect of impacts from possible mining use, that also is subject to State Government process and protocol.
“The States are leaning hard on groundwater”? Really? NSW went through the Achieving Sustainable Groundwater Entitlements process 5 years ago. That reduced aquifers in this state to sustainable levels, which are recognised by the MDBA. What is there to lean on?
“groundwater once on the surface can be traded”. Not in NSW, it can’t. Might need to check that one, please.
Andrew Gregson
Chief Executive Officer
NSW Irrigators Council