Sustainable yield relative to groundwater cap
Less than five per cent of the groundwater management units in Australia with
caps have reported that the cap is above the sustainable yield for that groundwater
management unit. In all of these cases, the states and territories have reported
management actions that aim to bring the cap back to a sustainable level. This
response has occurred because most of these groundwater management units have
shown a decline in groundwater levels in the past, although levels are now
stable in 90 per cent of the areas that do have a cap. This indicates that
the groundwater resource appears to be managed sustainably; however, it does
not necessarily account for groundwater dependent ecosystems.
Australian Capital Territory
The Australian Capital Territory is covered by a single groundwater management
unit, which has a cap set at the calculated sustainable yield.
New South Wales
In New South Wales there are many groundwater management units where the cap
is currently set higher than the sustainable yield. Under a programme of structural
adjustment, these caps will be brought back to the sustainable yield for all
groundwater management units within five to ten years. Some of these groundwater
management units are covered by draft macro water sharing plans, which will
come into operation from October 2006. Others will be assessed in the next
couple of years.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory generally sets its groundwater cap at the sustainable
yield. The exceptions are the Alice Springs Town Basin Water Control District,
Berry Springs Dolomite, Gove Water Control District, Tennant Creek Water Control
District and Ti Tree, all of which have a groundwater cap set below sustainable
yield.
South Australia
In South Australia there is a requirement under the Natural Resources
Management Act 2004 to manage groundwater in a sustainable manner.
The five-yearly review of water allocation plans for groundwater management
units and water management areas is required to assess the capacity of the
resource to meet ongoing demand. In a number of instances, where a system
is clearly overallocated or overused, measures have been adopted to reduce
water allocations and use. A recent example of this was in the Southern Vales
Prescribed Wells Area.
Victoria
In Victoria , where groundwater levels have shown a long-term decline, there
is a process to reduce groundwater use and recover groundwater levels. This
process has been applied in the Campaspe, Katunga and Deutgam Water supply
protection areas. In all cases, groundwater levels have recovered and stabilised.
Groundwater level trends are being monitored and the management response reviewed
annually.
Western Australia
In Western Australia , groundwater resources are managed for groundwater management
units in individual aquifers and only responses that were consistent for the
entire groundwater management units were included. Gwelup is the only groundwater
management unit with a cap that is above the sustainable yield for the entire
unit. Collie groundwater management unit had a cap above the sustainable yield
for the Collie Group aquifer. This aquifer is being mined for coal and is in
general decline. It is overallocated relative to the sustainable yield, but
currently has no management actions in place.
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Groundwater sustainable yield as compared to the
cap
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Groundwater sustainable yield as compared to the cap (1.9 Meg )
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