Australia's Artesian Basin - $14 Billion down the drain each year

The present rate of extraction from the Basin is about 0.5 million megalitres per year. That is an annual discharge equal to the volume of Sydney Harbour. It is really quite incredible that people have believed that a groundwater yield of that magnitude could continue forever.

At the present rate of extraction, the remaining supplies may only last a few decades. However, present wastage is over 80 percent. It is only by the complete elimination of such waste that the life of the resource can be extended beyond the next century.

There is a critical need for a major new assessment of safe extraction levels to ensure a much longer life for the resource. The available data on trends in pressures and flow rates should enable the development of predictive models of aquifer behaviour.

The present groundwater flow from the Great Artesian Basin supports a total level of production in the region of $3.5 billion per annum, according to a press release. Much of that production would not be possible, or would be different and much less, without the availability of groundwater.

The current artesian bore discharge is about 0.5 million megalitres per annum. It is estimated that 80 per cent of the current outflow is wasted because of inefficient delivery systems. Thus, the useful part of the outflow is 100,000 megalitres per annum.

It follows that the water that is used effectively enables and supports a level of total economic activity equal to $35,000 for each megalitre. That simply reflects the critical importance of these secure supplies of water to the regional economy.

But 80% of the water that is extracted from the Basin is wasted. With a level of wasted water of 80%, or 400,000 megalitres per annum, the annual loss in potential future production is 400,000 x $35,000.

This wastage equals a loss of $14 billion each year in total value of future national production, or $38 million each day! With these huge numbers, it really does not matter how we assess the present value of future lost production. It will be very big indeed. With 3100 flowing boreholes, the loss to the future national economy of the 80% waste is equal, on average, to $12,000 per day per borehole. That water is irreplaceable.

This waste is of truly enormous proportions and should be corrected immediately. In all these circumstances, the costs of immediate action are quite trivial in relation to the colossal damage that is occurring to the national economy as each day passes.

The Great Artesian Basin covers three states, Queensland, NSW and South Australia as well as the Northern Territory. The rapid decline of this national resource has very serious implications for the national economy, and that means that the Australian Government also carries responsibilities. In legislative terms, there are no legal provisions for the management of the Basin as a whole, and it is evidently out of control. There is a Great Artesian Basin Consultative Council with broad representation, but their role is advisory.

Concerted action is required, and that is a responsibility of all of the governments involved. It seems appropriate for the Commonwealth, Qld, NSW, SA, and NT to enact similar joint legislation restricting all extraction of groundwater from the Basin to consumptive use only, and defining how that will be assessed and controlled.

In view of the need for prompt action, one approach may be to put together a national action team, which could be created by seconding officers from the states involved, and the Commonwealth. Alternatively, the tasks could be assigned to the private sector.

A set of standard designs is required for rapid production of new wellheads with water control, video transmission and monitoring facilities. It is likely that a very large number of bores will need to be reconstructed to control waste to other strata within the borehole itself.

An achievable objective could be to correct all waste within 2 years. As a rough guide to probable costs, a total allocation of $200 million may be required. The Commonwealth could assume responsibility for all of the basic costs involved in stopping the waste of water, primarily to ensure high and uniform standards and immediate action. The Shire Engineers in the many Shires throughout the Basin are available. They know the region and the people involved, and can act quickly to assist with site works if they have authority and funds to do so. The Army could assist, especially the Army Engineers and the Helicopter units for deliveries to borehole sites. It is, after all, a national emergency.