Scientific and technical advice on groundwater related matters

Overview

Geoscience Australia provides technical, independent hydrogeological advice and information to government. Our advice covers a range of groundwater issues to support decision-making and inform the responsible use of one of the nation's most important hidden natural resources.

We provide input to regulators and water management agencies on issues such as water management planning and developments that have the potential to impact on the quality and quantity of groundwater resources. Much of our work is undertaken to better understand the potential impacts to groundwater from developing Australia's wealth of mineral and energy resources. This includes evaluating the methods used to assess, monitor, mitigate and manage these impacts to groundwater.

Scientific and technical advice provided on groundwater related issues includes:

• advice requested by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources and the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment to assist in:
• Assessing the impacts of specific development projects on groundwater-dependant Matters of National Environmental Significance (MNES) as defined under the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act)
• groundwater resources associated with uranium mining projects
• advice and comment to the drafting and creation of national guidelines and legislation such as the National Water Quality Management Strategy.

Outcome

Informed decision making for groundwater resource management and environmental protection through access to independent groundwater advice.