3 Jun 2019

How we can preserve our Great Artesian Basin

How we can preserve our Great Artesian Basin
The Great Artesian Basin is the lifeblood for many farmers and regional communities, especially during drought. The capping and piping of free-flowing bores in NSW is saving huge amounts of water but needs to carry on.
THE Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative (GABSI) is hailed by many as the most beneficial project ever provided to Australian agriculture. 
Since its inception 20 years ago, the upgrading of more than 750 free-flowing bores and the installing of almost 32,000km of pipe drains has resulted in massive annual water savings of 250 gigalitres for one of the world’s largest underground freshwater resources. 
Before the capping and piping of the bores, up to 95% of Great Artesian Basin (GAB) water was being wasted through evaporation and seepage in free-flowing drains – which has been a problem ever since commercial exploitation of the Basin’s water and pressure resources began in 1878.
In NSW the initiative, implemented in this state as the Cap and Pipe the Bores Program, has overseen the capping of 398 free-flowing bores, with more than 10,000km of bore drains removed and 18,000km of pipe installed. That adds up to a saving of 78,500 megalitres of water every year and about 4.2 million hectares of farms supplied with permanent, efficient and strategically-located watering points.
The program has been blessed with many glowing names, but the title of unsung drought hero is the most apt for Ranald Warby, who farms at Mungindi on the NSW/Queensland border. Ranald and wife Noela produce wool, lamb and dryland grains on their 4,000-hectare property Barrakee, which is now entirely dependent on piped groundwater after two years of drought.
Author: ABWUA
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24 May 2019

Artesian Bore Water Users Association Annual Survey

Artesian Bore Water Users Association Annual Survey

The Artesian Bore Water Users Association committee would appreciate it if you would please fill out the survey on the following link.

 https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FX6SP92

Author: ABWUA
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20 May 2019

Technology MAY 20, 2019 4:51 PM AEST Share Twitter Facebook Water quality critical in farm spray application

Technology MAY 20, 2019 4:51 PM AEST Share Twitter Facebook Water quality critical in farm spray application

New South Wales and Queensland grain growers and spray operators are being encouraged to test water quality before using it for the application of herbicides and pesticides.

The advice comes in the wake of a research project by the SOS Macquarie Valley group that investigated the water quality of 180 bores and assessed its suitability for use with farm chemicals.

The project found the water quality varied significantly with 78 per cent of samples more alkaline than desired and 80 per cent recording higher than ideal levels of bicarbonate concentrate, when used to apply pesticides and herbicides.

While the samples for this research project were taken from a relatively small geographic area west of the Newell Highway and north and east of the Bogan River in central western New South Wales, the issue of water quality is relevant across all farming areas of Queensland and NSW.

Author: ABWUA
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16 May 2019

Moree Plains Shire Council investment in water infrastructure ensures secure supply

Moree Plains Shire Council investment in water infrastructure ensures secure supply

Moree Plains Shire residents continue to enjoy an unrestricted water supply, despite the lack of rainfall, thanks to the security of its aquifers and Moree Plains Shire Council's long-term investment in water infrastructure.

Many of Moree's neighbouring shires have some type of water saving measure in place, with permanent water conservation measures in Goondiwindi and Narrabri, level three restrictions in Armidale and level four restrictions in Tamworth, however Moree Plains residents continue to benefit from unfettered access to town water supplies.

And, at this stage, council has no plans to impose restrictions any time soon, despite record breaking water consumption across the shire over the summer quarter.

Author: ABWUA
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14 Mar 2019

HEALTH OF THE GREAT ARTESIAN BASIN SECURED

HEALTH OF THE GREAT ARTESIAN BASIN SECURED
Minister for Regional Water, Niall Blair today announced that a NSW Liberals &
Nationals Government will partner with the Commonwealth Government to invest $26
million in the popular Great Artesian Basin Infrastructure Investment program.

Mr Blair said the investment will see the Government partner with locals to boost their
drought resilience by capping free-flowing bores and installing new water supply
infrastructure such as pipes, tanks and troughs.

“We know that many of the 1400 bores tapping the Great Artesian Basin have stopped
flowing, which is reducing landholder access to water and adding additional pressures
to local councils securing their communities in times of drought,” Mr Blair said. 
Author: ABWUA
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