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Case Study. Burdekin Irrigation Area. The Burdekin Groundwater Resources. The lower Burdekin is Australia‟s foremost irrigation user of groundwater and northern Australia‟s largest irrigation area at 80,000 hectares.
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Case Study Burdekin Irrigation Area
The Burdekin Groundwater Resources • The lower Burdekin is Australia‟s foremost irrigation user of groundwater and northern Australia‟s largest irrigation area at 80,000 hectares. • The region generates more than $450 million in gross value of production from irrigated sugar and horticulture. • It is also home to substantial areas of high cultural and environmental significance, with one of the largest concentrations of wetlands in eastern Australia, including the Ramsar–listed Bowling Green Bay Wetland, and a marine environment comprising the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, together with two Declared Fish Habitat Areas.
The Burdekin Delta Estimated use – 210 to 530GL/yr Source:Effects Of Groundwater Pumping On Saltwater Intrusion In The Lower Burdekin Delta, North Queensland K. A. Narayana, C. Schleebergerb, P. B. Charleswortha and K. L. Bristowa
Key Issues • Rising groundwater levels causing soil salinity and waterlogging • Groundwater quality changes due to irrigation returns • Groundwater nutrient loads • Sea-water intrusion • Irrigation drainage impacts on marine environments • Groundwater discharge impacts on marine environments Source: SKM, 2009. A Science Plan for the Sustainable Management of the Lower Burdekin Groundwater System
Management Response • Introduces water sharing rules. • Can restrict use based on observations from monitoring bores.