three years through to 30 June 2017. This since 1999. Water savings under the GABSI of the National Water Initiative. On 18 June extension will provide governments with the programme are identified in the table below. 2015 the White paper was released and is opportunity to work with industry and available at State Bores Water communities to develop a possible private rehabilitated saving sector model for delivery in the future, to (Ml/annum) ensure a sustainable future for the Great Queensland 123 35,912 Artesian Basin. Agriculture Competitiveness White New South 78 18,217 Wales Paper Up until the 1950s, artesian water that came South 29 5624 The development of an Agricultural to the surface under natural pressure by the Australia Competitiveness White paper has been sinking of bores had been allowed to flow commissioned to identify pathways and uncontrolled into open drains and creeks for The GABSI Initiative continues to be approaches to growing agricultural profitability distribution to stock. However, even in delivered through state and territory and boosting agricultures contribution o drains, up to 95 per cent of this agencies. The Australian government economic growth, trade, innovation and water was being wasted through makes its contributions jointly with state and productivity. A Green paper was released on evaporation and seepage. territory governments on a 50:50 basis. 20 October 2014. Landholders are required to contribute to Such uncontrolled flow of water from bores GABSI works and this amount is determined Further information is available at and open earth bore drains in the Great by individual State and Territory Artesian Basin threatened the health of governments. Water Infrastructure Options important groundwater dependant Paper ecosystems and the continued access to artesian water by pastoralists. In addition, it A Water Infrastructure Options paper was had become difficult for new water users in Northern Australia White Paper released by the Department of Agriculture on or near the Great Artesian Basin to obtain 29 October 2014, exploring processes to A paper was released in June 2014 access to groundwater resources. accelerate infrastructure investment and identifying six policy directions for a White priorities for investment, including new or Paper for Northern Australia. One of the The GABSI has accelerated work on the existing dams to assist in economic policy directions identified was the need for repair of these uncontrolled artesian bores development, flood mitigation and responding development of water resources to be and the replacement of open earthen bore to community and industry needs. underpinned by robust assessment of surface drains with piped water reticulation systems and groundwater systems based on principles
three years through to 30 June 2017. This extension will provide governments with the opportunity to work with industry and communities to develop a possible private sector model for delivery in the future, to ensure a sustainable future for the Great Artesian Basin. Up until the 1950s, artesian water that came to the surface under natural pressure by the sinking of bores had been allowed to flow uncontrolled into open drains and creeks for distribution to stock. However, even in drains, up to 95 per cent of this water was being wasted through evaporation and seepage. Such uncontrolled flow of water from bores and open earth bore drains in the Great Artesian Basin threatened the health of important groundwater dependant ecosystems and the continued access to artesian water by pastoralists. In addition, it had become difficult for new water users in or near the Great Artesian Basin to obtain access to groundwater resources. The GABSI has accelerated work on the repair of these uncontrolled artesian bores and the replacement of open earthen bore drains with piped water reticulation systems since 1999. Water savings under the GABSI programme are identified in the table below. State Bores rehabilitated Water saving (Ml/annum) Queensland 123 35,912 New South Wales 78 18,217 South Australia 29 5624 The GABSI Initiative continues to be delivered through state and territory agencies. The Australian government makes its contributions jointly with state and territory governments on a 50:50 basis. Landholders are required to contribute to GABSI works and this amount is determined by individual State and Territory governments. Northern Australia White Paper A paper was released in June 2014 identifying six policy directions for a White Paper for Northern Australia. One of the policy directions identified was the need for development of water resources to be underpinned by robust assessment of surface and groundwater systems based on principles of the National Water Initiative. On 18 June 2015 the White paper was released and is available at Agriculture Competitiveness White Paper The development of an Agricultural Competitiveness White paper has been commissioned to identify pathways and approaches to growing agricultural profitability and boosting agricultures contribution o economic growth, trade, innovation and productivity. A Green paper was released on 20 October 2014. Further information is available at Water Infrastructure Options Paper A Water Infrastructure Options paper was released by the Department of Agriculture on 29 October 2014, exploring processes to accelerate infrastructure investment and priorities for investment, including new or existing dams to assist in economic development, flood mitigation and responding to community and industry needs.
gabcc-annual-report-2014-15.docx