Groundwater
Windmill
Photo Arthur Mostead
Along with surface water, groundwater is under threat from pollution, over allocation and overuse, and requires active management. Groundwater management, like the management of most other natural resources, is currently the responsibility of state and territory governments. The Australian Government, however, is seeking to provide leadership and coordination for groundwater policy reforms and a focus for resolution of cross-jurisdictional issues.
The Australian Government Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts contributes to national processes for the determination of sustainable groundwater yields. The Department also contributes to the development of approaches for the protection and management of groundwater-dependent environment values, including the joint use of ground and surface waters.
- National Groundwater Committee
- Allocation and use of groundwater: National framework for improved groundwater management in Australia
- National Water Quality Management Strategy Guidelines for Ground Water
- Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative (GABSI)
- National Principles for the Provision of Water for Ecosystems
- National Strategy for Ecologically Sustainable Development
- National Water Initiative
Groundwater-surface water interactions
The connected water web site provides information on jointly assessing and managing water resources above and below ground across Australia. The web site provides policy makers, water managers and catchment groups with an easy to use and convenient information package about issues to do with water connectivity.
More information
News
See also
- Australian Water Resources 2005
- Coasts and oceans
- Lake Eyre Basin Agreement
- Living Murray Initiative
- Meteorological information for primary industry and natural resources management
- National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality (NAP)
- National Centre for Tropical Wetland Research
- National Framework for Improved Groundwater Management in Australia
- National Principles for the Provision of Water for Ecosystems
- Water for a Healthy Country Flagship
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