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Cap&Pipe theBores G o o n a l B o r e 1 9 0 7 A jointly funded initiative of the NSW and Commonwealth Governments Sustainable land and water management for the Great Artesian Basin Cap&Pipe theBores Cap & Pipe the Bores is a jointly funded initiative of the NSW and Commonwealth Governments to achieve sustainable land and water management in the Great Artesian Basin (GAB). $20 million will be available in NSW over the five years from 1999 to 2004. Artesian bores will be rehabilitated and wasteful bore drains will be replaced with efficient piped systems so that water can be controlled and used only when and where required. Implementation of Cap & Pipe the Bores will reduce wastage, address artesian pressure decline, improve water use efficiency, reduce salinity, conserve biodiversity, control feral animals and encourage sustainable land and stock management practices. The time of changeover from bore drains to pipelines also presents an excellent opportunity to review property infrastructure and management. The Great Artesian Basin (GAB) The GAB is one of the largest freshwater basins in the world with an estimated total storage of 8700 million megalitres. It underlies 22% of Australia, spanning the three states of Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia as well as the Northern Territory. The GAB covers a total area of 1.7 million km2 of which 207,000 km2 are in NSW. It is a national asset that brings wealth and productivity to the arid and semi-arid areas it underlies, supports a population of 200 000 and underpins more than $3.5 billion of production each year. What’s the problem? Flows from bores and artesian pressure have declined considerably over the last 100 years. In some cases, bores that originally flowed at 80 litres per second (2500 megalitres per year) have now ceased to flow or are continuing to flow at much reduced rates. Bore head pressures that were initially in excess of 800 kPa are now, in many cases, below 200 kPa. Most flowing bores deliver water to bore drains where up to 95% is wasted through evaporation, seepage and breakouts. Many bores discharge large volumes of water into watercourses and swamps. There are about 7000 km of bore drains in NSW. Although the artesian water is not high in salt content (500 to 1500 parts per million), the large volume being delivered to the surface and not being used is collectively adding about 150 000 tonnes of salt to the landscape in NSW each year. Eventually, this ends up in the Murray-Darling drainage system, contributing to the emerging salinity problem. Of the 1400 bores tapping the deeper aquifers of the GAB in NSW, nearly half have ceased to flow. About 250 have uncontrolled flow. A third of the mound springs have dried up. Land management, inefficient water use, loss of biodiversity and demand from higher value users have also emerged as significant issues. Although flows are declining at a lower rate, substantial wastage still occurs. Bore drains interfere with farming operations and can spread disease Great Artesian Basin Artesian Bores and Drains Artesian Bore Bore Drain Cooling tower and balance tank improve efficiency and extend pipe working life to a sound condition, or for a replacement bore if repairs are not feasible. Bores found to be in sound condition will proceed to the piping phase. A preliminary design and estimate will be also be prepared for the reticulation works and meetings arranged locally for all interested parties where details will be fully explained. There is still no obligation at this stage. If you then confirm, in writing, your intention to proceed, detailed planning will commence. This will involve Property Planning (optional), a survey of the whole scheme, preparation of design plans, specification and tender documents. Fees apply for these services. What can be done? To conserve water and restore pressure, bores will be rehabilitated and bore drains will be replaced with pipelines. However, as cost has been identified as a major impediment, this will be offset by grants through the Cap & Pipe the Bores program. All landholders with artesian bores are encouraged to participate. Tenders will then be called and a contractor selected. Subject to the availability of funding, contracts can then be signed and the work begun. How are priorities set? Priorities will generally target the higher flowing bores, particularly those flowing in excess of 5 litres per second. This represents about 180 bores in NSW with a current outflow of 80 000 megalitres each year. A “multi-criteria analysis” of each scheme will set priorities based on: • • • • • • • • • • Pressure decline Water saved Free flow of the bore Bore drains deleted Property planning Distance from mound springs Water quality and salinity Habitat conservation Waterless rangeland Cost of the scheme How to get involved Each autumn, advertisements will appear in the rural press inviting individual bore users and Bore Trusts to participate in Cap & Pipe the Bores. Expressions of Interest should be lodged before 30 June. Those lodged after that date will still be considered, but not until the following year. When you lodge an Expression of Interest, you will be contacted by a Department of Land and Water Conservation (DLWC) representative who will provide and seek more information. Meetings can be arranged to explain the program. There is no obligation to participate at this stage. What happens next? The Cap & Pipe the Bores Committee will then establish priorities across the groundwater management zones. Because of the magnitude of most of these schemes, detailed investigation, planning and design will be undertaken in one year with the installation scheduled for the following year. In smaller schemes, this time frame may be condensed. If your scheme is selected and you still wish to proceed, a bore investigation will be undertaken comprising historical searches, groundwater database report, site inspection, geophysical logging and geological assessment. A fee of about $1000 applies for the logging, after payment of the grant. A detailed report, work program and estimate for work considered necessary will be prepared to either return the bore The bores identified by this process are considered to be the ones that will have the most beneficial impact on the resources of the GAB, if capped and piped. Bores causing excessive environmental damage will also be included. Who is eligible? Most landholders will be eligible for the grants. There is no means testing. Only public companies and their subsidiaries, local councils and government departments are excluded. Participation is purely voluntary. Where there is a Bore Trust, the decision to cap and pipe must be unanimous for work to proceed. In NSW, capping and piping is viewed as an integrated program. To be eligible for the grants, landholders must agree in writing to participate in both capping and piping. Groundwater Management Zones Groundwater Management Zones For management purposes, the GAB has been divided into 17 groundwater management zones; four of these cross into NSW – Central, Warrego, Surat and Southern Recharge Zones. The Central Zone extends from the Queensland and South Australian borders to the Paroo River. The Warrego Zone extends eastward from the Paroo River to the Culgoa River. Surat Zone extends from the Culgoa River to the Southern Recharge Zone. The Southern Recharge Zone extends around the south-eastern margins of the GAB, mainly the western slopes of the Great Dividing Range. What standards apply? Grants will be made available only for works that satisfy the technical requirements of the DLWC. Drilling work must be carried out in accordance with the “Minimum Construction Requirements for Water Bores in Australia (ARMCANZ-1997) and the “Specification for construction, reconditioning or plugging of bores tapping recognised aquifers of the Great Artesian Basin in NSW”. Above the ground, where Australian Standards exist, equipment to be supplied and installed must conform to these Standards. Where no such Standards exist, best industry practice will apply. Water is to be reticulated through pipes to tanks and troughs. All bore drains and associated ground tanks should be eliminated from the system and preferably decommissioned. Water temperatures in NSW vary from 30°C to 60°C. Pipelines must have a minimum design life of 50 years at the working water temperature. These standards have been adopted to ensure that the government funds are invested wisely in systems that are cost-effective, operate efficiently and have a long, trouble-free working life. Schemes that are only partially piped (some bore drains being retained) or built to a lower standard will not attract the government grant. Stock enjoy the cool, clear water Where are grants available? Grants are available in the Central, Warrego and Surat Zones, but not in the Southern Recharge Zone as no priority bores are located there. What are the level of grants? For determining the level of grants, the Surat Zone has been further sub-divided along the Western Division boundary, recognising that the unique social, economic and ecological issues in the Western Division require special consideration. Zone Surat (East) Surat (West) Warrego Central Capping 80% 80% 80% 80% Piping 40% 50%+10%* 60%+10%* 70%+10%** * if 3 or more flowing bores involved and at least half are plugged. ** if 2 or more flowing bores involved and at least half are plugged. Property planning It has been recognised by the Great Artesian Basin Consultative Council that capping and piping should be integrated with other multi-objective catchment strategies such as the control of land degradation and the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity and habitat. Participation in Property Planning, whilst not compulsory, aids this process, is actively encouraged, and is a factor in determining capping and piping priorities. The time of changeover from bore drains to piped water supply is viewed as an excellent opportunity to re-plan the natural and physical resources of the property for sustainability, viability and the environment. Strategic siting of watering points, fencing to soil classification and paddock layout enhances efficient management. To be acceptable, the Property Plan should cover, as a minimum, information on: • • • • • • • • • • Stocking rates Habitat Land capability Soil types Water supply Infrastructure Natural drainage lines Special management areas Cultural sites Sites of environmental significance What types of work are eligible for a grant? Most work (and equipment necessary for the operation of the scheme) is eligible for the grants. The bore rehabilitation component includes bore logging, drilling, casing, cementing, slotting, bore plugging and minor repairs to headworks. The piping component includes the planning process, detailed design and specifications, pumps, pipes and fittings, tanks, troughs and installation, decommissioning bore drains and associated ground tanks. Cup and saucer tanks are popular with some farmers Modern pumping equipment As a guide, completion of a Property Plan from modules 2, 4, 5 and 7 of the Farming for the Future Property Management Planning workshop series would suffice, if certified by an approved official. Is prior approval required? Yes, prior approval is required. Works begun prior to written approval having been received from the Department of Land and Water Conservation and an Agreement having been executed will not be eligible for a grant. Headworks to supply the scheme and facilitate monitoring of the bore Other financial support Landholders may borrow their share of the cost of the scheme through long-term concessional interest loans provided by the State Government and administered by the NSW Rural Assistance Authority. Conditions apply. Taxation concessions are also available and it is recommended that your accountant, financial adviser or the Australian Taxation Office be consulted. Cap & Pipe the Bores A jointly funded initiative of the NSW and Commonwealth Governments For more information The NSW Department of Land and Water Conservation can be contacted at: Telephone Dubbo Condobolin Bourke Moree Tamworth Inverell Sydney 6841 5200 or 6884 2560 6895 2033 6872 2144 6752 2755 6764 5121 6722 1800 9895 6211 Published by the NSW Department of Land and Water Conservation Sydney November 2000 ISBN 0 7347 7513 0