Groundwater sustainable yield

Responses from the states and territories describe how each jurisdiction determines groundwater sustainable yield (refer to table below). The volumes of groundwater sustainable yield for 200405 are illustrated in the accompanying map.

Method for determining  groundwater sustainable yield (where assessed)

State or territory
ACT NSW NT QLD SA TAS VIC WA National
Number of groundwater management units with a sustainable yield determined 1 87 53 15 16 17 62 43 294
Method for determining sustainable yield Percentage of recharge 1 71 6 0 1 17 0 17 113
Simple analytical calculation 0 9 46 6 8 0 62 10 141
Detailed numerical modelling 0 6 0 9 5 0 0 3 23
Other 0 1 1 0 2 0 0 13 17

Australian Capital Territory

The sustainable yield for the Australian Capital Territory is based on a percentage of groundwater recharge.

New South Wales

The major method for calculation of sustainable yield in New South Wales is to estimate groundwater recharge from rainfall accessions.

Northern Territory

In the Northern Territory , the sustainable yield in the incorporated groundwater management units (nine areas) is generally based upon a percentage of recharge. Sustainable yield in the unincorporated areas is based on a simple analytical calculation.

Tasmania

In each of Tasmania 's 17 groundwater management units, the sustainable yield for groundwater has been determined as a percentage of recharge. Sustainable yields were estimated as part of the Australian Water Resources Assessment 2000 and more recent data is not available. Sustainable yield across the groundwater management units and unincorporated areas was estimated to be between 449 and 1 315 046 megalitres.

Queensland

In Queensland, 15 groundwater management units have calculated sustainable yields, of which half are based on detailed numerical modelling, and the other half are based on simple analytical calculations.

South Australia

Sustainable yield determinations in South Australia are generally a percentage of recharge with adjustment for groundwater level trends.

Victoria

The sustainable yield for groundwater has been determined for 62 of Victoria 's 65 groundwater management units. In each case a simple analytical method was used to determine the sustainable yield. Assessments of the sustainable yield for all groundwater management units have taken into account the potential for surface water and groundwater interaction

Western Australia

Of the 43 groundwater management units in Western Australia with sustainable yield determinations, 26 were determined for the entire groundwater management unit. The others covered between 50 per cent and 93 per cent of the groundwater management unit. Most sustainable yield estimates were determined using a percentage of recharge or simple analytical calculations. Yenart was the only groundwater management unit for which sustainable yield was determined for combined groundwater and surface water resources.

Sustainable yield - groundwater July 2004 - June 2005. Click to download a high resolution PDF of this map.
Sustainable yield - groundwater July 2004 - June 2005 

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Sustainable yield - groundwater July 2004 - June 2005 (1.8 Meg )

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Last Updated 01/06/2007