Australian Natural Resources Atlas

Natural Resource Topics

Water resources - Management and Development - Queensland

Location map of Farnborough / Waterpark

Groundwater Management Unit: Farnborough / Waterpark

Introduction

Management Context:

The Farnborough GMU was declared a sub-artesian district under the provisions of the Water Act on 23rd Feb, 1978, due to concern over the aquifer sytem's vulnerability to saltwater intrusion. Overuse of the groundwater resources within the Farnborough GMU could affect the supplies of other users, and also cause contamination of the aquifer via salt water intrusion due to the groundwater management unit's close proximity to the sea. The water quality, at locations sufficiently removed from the influence of the adjacent coastline, is generally suitable for most purposes, including domestic and irrigation. However, unsuitable water quality is located in areas adjacent to the coastal zones, such as Fishing Creek and Corio Bay.

The potential for severe salt water intrusion into the aquifer system exists due to the direct connection of the aquifer system to the sea. To reduce to a minimum the possibility of saltwater intrusion into the more extensively developed southern end of the groundwater management area, the standing water level in this area should not be lowered below the level of 0.3metres above Australian Height Datum. Additionally, a reasonable gradient in water levels should be maintained towards the coastline.

Priority issues

Declining Water Levels

 YES

Salt Water Intrusion

 YES

SALINISATION

Dryland

 NO

Irrigation

 NO

Groundwater

 NO

Surface Water

 NO

Urban

 NO

Point Source Pollution

 NO

Diffuse Source Pollution

 NO

Subsidence

 NO

Artificial Recharge (ML/yr)

 no data

Ecosystems Protection

 NO

Surface Water Interaction

 NO

Management Plans

 NO

Defined Minimum Water Level

 NO

Comment: Water levels have been declining since 1991 due to below average rainfalls.

Comments on Management Responses

2020 Management Response:

The estimate of 1200 Ml/yr for forecast use for the year 2020 is based upon the GMU's assessed sustainable yield, development potential and the desired level of resource management.

2050 Management Response:

The estimate of 1200 Ml/yr for forecast use for the year 2050 is based upon the GMU's assessed sustainable yield, development potential and the desired level of resource management.

See QLD Water Resources Assessment 2000 Technical Report for a review of management responses.

Assessment of monitoring in Farnborough / Waterpark

Efficacy of the network:

The current monitoring network for the Farnborough groundwater management unit consists of 48 observation points with a proposed quarterly monitoring frequency.

A comprehensive water level and water quality monitoring network was established in 1981 in the Farnborough groundwater management unit. Continuous monitoring of water levels, on an approximately quarterly basis, has occurred since 1981 to the present. The Farnborough GMU is fully committed with respect to groundwater allocation and vulnerable to salt water intrusion, therefore, it is desirable that the proposed level of monitoring continue.

Data management requirements:

Queensland groundwater monitoring data, both water level and water quality, is stored within the Groundwater Database (GWDB) system. The new system is based on web technology and is available through the department's intranet. Allocation and use data is obtained through the Water Entitlements Registration Database (WERD) which is an electronic database for water licence detailss. Both databases are managed locally at district level, with repect to the collection and entering of water monitoring, allocation and use data; and are accessed statewide.

Protective management:

Management of the groundwater resource of the Fairnborough GMU aims at maintaining a longterm, sustainable resource. Coastal aquifers prone to salt water intrusion, such as those of the Fairnborough GMU, remain capable of yielding a sustainable source of fresh water if protective and flexible management practices are implemented. Protective management requirements for the Fairnborough GMU include:

prevention of overdevelopment close to the shoreline, with maintenance of a reasonable water level gradient towards the coastline;

monitoring to prevent water levels in the interior of the GMU being lowered below the level of 0.3metres above Australian Height Datum.

Options for monitoring:

Options for Commonwealth and State agencies to address data and information gaps include:

the installation of auto recorders to monitor recharge processes and water level response;

re-assessment of the resource, with consideration of the prevailing drought, as the previous assessment of sustainable yield may be optimistic.

See QLD Water Resources Assessment 2000 Technical Report for a review of monitoring.

What is the estimated demand for groundwater?

Sustainable Yield

Comment about sustainable yield figure: 

An assessment of 1200 Ml/yr for sustainable yield was made in 1981, based upon a lumped parameter computer model. This assessment of yield was based upon data available at that time, and applies to the southern, more extensively developed section of the groundwater management unit. The yield calculations that support the assessment of sustainable yield, dramatically reflect the limitations that have been imposed on the working storages to prevent the occurrence of saltwater intrusion into the aquifers.

Sustainable yield:

ML/yr

Threshold year for sustainable year:

1,992 

Abstraction Volume 1996/1997:

1,670 ML 

Current Resource development categorisation:

Estimated Use in 2020

Comment:

Estimated use in 2020:

1,200 ML 

% change from 1996/1997:

-28 

Resource development categorisation:

Estimated in 2050

Comment:

Estimated use in 2050:

1,200 ML 

% change from 1996/1997:

-28 

Resource development categorisation:

 

What assumptions were used in this assessment

Development Potential:

The 1981 yield calculations that support the assessment of sustainable yield, reflect the limitations that have been imposed on the working storages to prevent the occurrence of saltwater intrusion into the aquifers. In 1981, these calculations also indicated that only the requirements for the initial stages of development of the tourist resort complex could be met from groundwater sources.

Estimate of Use:

The estimate of 1200 Ml/yr for forecast use for the years 2020 and 2050 is based upon the GMU's assessed sustainable yield, development potential and the desired level of resource management.

Data Availability,Gaps and Recommendations

Data Availablility:

In excess of 150 observation bores, both private and State owned, are located within the Fairnborough GMU. The availability of water level data is high, with continuous water level monitoring since 1981 to the present. Comprehensive water quality data exists for 48 observation bores within the groundwater management unit, with recent analyses from 1990 to the present. Allocation data is available for the GMU, as the GMU is within the declared Farnborough sub-artesian area.

Current Gaps and Recommendations:

Data Gaps: Water level and water quality data is restricted to the southern, more extensively developed section, of the Farnborough groundwater management unit. Prior to 1980, no groundwater level measurements had been taken on a regular basis in the Farnborough GMU.

Recommendations: Re-assessment of the resource and sustainable yield, with consideration of the prevailing drought is required, as the previous assessment of sustainable yield may be optimistic. Installation of auto recorders that monitor recharge and water level response is required.

Future Gaps:

Re-assessment of the resource and sustainable yield, with consideration of the prevailing drought is required, as the previous assessment of sustainable yield may be optimistic.

Auto recorders that monitor recharge and water level response are required to be installed within the GMU.

Further information

Key

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