Lower Burdekin Groundwater Mitigation Strategy
Service: Water use guideline for new irrigation developments to achieve net zero groundwater impact in Burdekin region.
Client: Department of Regional Development Manufacturing and Water (DRDMW)
Location: Lower Burdekin, Queensland
Start: Jan 2022
Completion: August 2022
Risks associated with rising groundwater in parts of the Burdekin Haughton Water Supply Scheme (BHWSS) threaten sustainable agricultural production.
Verterra delivered a well informed and practical guideline that will provide irrigators guidance on how new irrigation developments can achieve net zero impact on the groundwater table and support sustainable growth in the Lower Burdekin Area.
Risks associated with rising groundwater in parts of the Burdekin Haughton Water Supply Scheme (BHWSS) continue to threaten sustainable agricultural production.
There is known demand for additional water for irrigation in the area. Sunwater has been progressing the sale of additional water allocations into the area, cognisant of the risk that additional irrigation is likely to exacerbate the groundwater issues unless suitably managed.
Verterra delivered a comprehensive guideline that was both well informed yet practical to implement.
The guideline provides advice to irrigators guiding them in preparing irrigation management plans to improve on-farm irrigation practices to address localised groundwater issues and improve sustainability outcomes for their farming enterprises.
