15 July 2001

The Great Artesian Basin

The Great Artisian Basin (GAB) is one of the largest groundwater resources in the world underlying approximately one-fifth of Australia

Evidence from springs within the basin indicates that Indigenous peoples have made use of the Basin's natural groundwater discharges for thousands of years.

European discovery of this groundwater did not occur until the late 1880's, however by 1915 over 1500 artesian bores had been drilled. Supplying over 2000 megalitres of water per day, the basin enabled human settlement and establishment of an important pastoral industry in otherwise arid areas of Australia. Even today waters from the GAB continue to be the life blood for many rural communities and pastoral, mining, cultural and tourism activities.

Throughout the history of its European use the Basin's arterial water has flowed uncontrolled along open bore drains, wasting massive volumes of precious water, reducing groundwater pressures, contributing to land degradation and endangering the natural habitat of both flora and fauna.

In 1997 the Great Artesian Basin Consultative Council was established to bring together stakeholders in the Basin and to work towards sustainable use of this important groundwater resource.

In September 2002 the GAB Strategic Management Plan (SMP) was developed to provide a strategic framework for responsible groundwater and related natural resource management in the Basin. The SMP guides governments, water users and other stakeholders on policies, programs and actions necessary to attain optimal economic, social and environmental benefits from the use of the Basin's groundwater.

There are six key objectives of the SMP. These objectives will form the main themes for GAB Fest 2002. They symposium aims to identify the progress achieved to date and to showcase what is being done to address the key issues for sustainable management of the Basin. The organisers are especially keen to attract on-ground managers and water users from the Basin.

• Changing Attitudes, Communication, Education and Extension.
• Infrastructure Renewal, Managing Pressure and Reducing Waste.
• Water Reform, A Framework for Sustainable Management and Use.
• Environmental and Cultural Heritage, Maintenance and Improvement of Values.
• Socio-Economics, Maintenance and Improvement of Values.
• Information Technology, Better Decisions through Improved Knowledge.

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