Controlled Copy ___ Final Report: Hydrogeology Moree Special Activation Precinct for Department of Planning, Industry and Environment February 2021 J1774.3R-rev1 CMJA C. M. Jewell & Associates Pty Ltd Final Report: Hydrogeology Moree Special Activation Precinct February 2021 J1774.3R-rev1 Controlled Copy 1 The Secretary of the Department of Planning, Industry & Environment Mr Jim Betts Locked Bag 5022 PARRAMATTA NSW 2124 2 Aurecon Ms Hayley Eske Locked Bag 331 BRISBANE QLD 7000 3 CMJA Library C. M. Jewell & Associates Pty Ltd ABN: 54 056 283 295 1/13 Kalinda Road, Bullaburra, NSW 2784 PO Box 10, Wentworth Falls, NSW 2782 Phone (02) 4759 3251 Fax (02) 4759 3257 www.cm-jewell.com.au [email protected] CHRIS JEWELL Principal This report has been prepared specifically for Department of Planning, Industry and Environment. This report, the original data contained in the report, and its findings and conclusions remain the intellectual property of C. M. Jewell & Associates Pty Ltd. This report should not be used by other persons or for other purposes than those for which it was commissioned, and should not be reproduced except in full and with the permission of C. M. Jewell & Associates Pty Ltd. C. M. Jewell & Associates Pty Ltd will not support and will bear no liability for unauthorised use of this report. Final Report: Hydrogeology - Moree Special Activation Precinct i TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................................ 1 1.2 Investigation area and surroundings .......................................................................................... 1 1.3 Purpose of this report ................................................................................................................ 3 1.4 Preferred structure plan ............................................................................................................ 3 1.5 Report structure and methodology........................................................................................... 5 2.0 HYDROGEOLOGICAL BASELINE ANALYSIS AND KEY CONSIDERATIONS ................................................ 6 2.1 Hydrogeological setting.............................................................................................................. 6 2.2 The Lower Gwydir Alluvial Aquifer ............................................................................................. 7 2.2.1 Hydrostratigraphy ...................................................................................................... 7 2.2.2 Nature and distribution of aquifers within the Lower Gwydir Alluvial Aquifer system ................................................................................................................................. 12 2.2.3 Groundwater flow system characterisation ............................................................ 12 2.2.4 Groundwater quality ................................................................................................ 15 2.2.5 Groundwater use ..................................................................................................... 16 2.3 The Great Artesian Basin .......................................................................................................... 25 2.3.1 Hydrostratigraphy .................................................................................................... 28 2.3.3 Nature and distribution of the Great Artesian Basin major aquifers ....................... 32 2.3.4 Hydraulic Characteristics .......................................................................................... 32 3.0 OVERVIEW OF REGULATORY FRAMEWORK AND RELEVANT GUIDELINES ......................................... 35 3.1 Water Management Act 2000 .................................................................................................. 35 3.2 Regulatory framework for Gwydir Alluvial groundwater sources............................................ 35 3.2.1 Gwydir Alluvial Groundwater Sources Water Sharing Plan ..................................... 35 3.2.2 DPIE Policy for implementing WSP .......................................................................... 37 3.3 NSW Great Artesian Basin System .......................................................................................... 38 3.3.1 Water Sharing Plan .................................................................................................. 38 3.3.2 DPIE Policy for Implementing WSP .......................................................................... 39 3.4 Groundwater Policies ............................................................................................................... 40 3.4.1 NSW State Groundwater Policy Framework ........................................................... 40 4.0 GROUNDWATER AVAILABILITY ........................................................................................................... 41 4.1 Potential of the Lower Gwydir Alluvium as a water supply source for the SAP investigation area .................................................................................................................................................. 41 4.2 Potential of the GAB as a Water Supply Source for the SAP Investigation Area ..................... 43 4.3 Wellfield Assessment and Groundwater Impact Assessment ................................................. 45 5.0 STRUCTURE PLAN ASSESSMENT ......................................................................................................... 48 5.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 48 5.2 Hydrogeological assessment methodology ............................................................................. 48 5.3 Assumptions and limitations .................................................................................................... 48 5.4 Hydrogeological assessment criteria........................................................................................ 54 5.5 Analysis ..................................................................................................................................... 54 6.0 CONSTRAINTS AND OPPORTUNITIES .................................................................................................. 57 7.0 CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ......................................................................................... 58 REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................... 60 J1774.3R-rev1 - 08-Feb-2021 C. M. Jewell & Associates Pty Ltd Final Report: Hydrogeology - Moree Special Activation Precinct ii Important Information about this Report TABLES Table 1 Modelled Average Annual Recharge Table 2 Annual Groundwater Extraction from the Lower Gwydir Alluvium (2006-2019) Table 3 Summary of Groundwater Water Access Licences – Lower Gwydir Table 4 Identification of Regional Stratigraphic Units Underlying Moree Sap Area Table 5 Gwydir Alluvial Groundwater Source Approval Process Table 6 Groundwater Availability in The NSW Surat (GAB) Groundwater Source Table 7 Summary of Key Factors for Consideration for Section of Moree Sap Area Groundwater Supply Table 8 Structure Plan - Water Demand Estimate (Preliminary Based on High-Level Land Uses Input for Final Structure Plan) Table 9 Assumptions Made in Structure Plan Analysis Table 10 Criteria Used for Structure Plan Analysis Table 11 Analysis of Hydrogeological Considerations FIGURES Figure 1.1 Investigation Area of the Moree SAP Figure 1.2 Preferred Structure Plan Figure 2.1 Map of the groundwater sources in the Gwydir Figure 2.2 Gwydir catchment geology map Figure 2.3 Lower Gwydir Alluvium cross section location Figure 2.4 East - West long section Figure 2.5 Gingham cross section Figure 2.6 Moree/Ashley cross Figure 2.8 Hydrogeological conceptual model of a groundwater system similar to that at Moree Figure 2.9 Groundwater elevation contours and flow directions in the Gunnedah Formation (deep aquifer) Figure 2.10 Surface-groundwater connectivity map for Gwydir and surrounding regions Figure 2.11 Temporal variations in river stage and hydraulic head in surrounding piezometers at Yarraman Bridge in the vicinity of Moree Figure 2.12 Groundwater quality and suitability in the Gwydir catchment Figure 2.13 Annual groundwater extraction from the Lower Gwydir Alluvium (1993-2016) Figure 2.14 Average monthly groundwater usage – Lower Gwydir Alluvium (2006-2020) Figure 2.15 Groundwater extraction density map Figure 2.16 Lower Gwydir trading areas Figure 2.17 Long-term changes groundwater level in Narrabri Formation Figure 2.18 Lower Gwydir Alluvium (Gunnedah Formation): Long-term changes in recovered water levels over a range of periods Figure 2.19 Hydrograph for monitoring bore GW030460, north of Moree Figure 2.20 Lower Gwydir groundwater balance (07/2014 to 06/2019) Figure 2.21 Lower Gwydir groundwater balance (07/2018 to 06/2019) Figure 2.22 Geographic extent of the Great Artesian Basin J1774.3R-rev1 - 08-Feb-2021 C. M. Jewell & Associates Pty Ltd Final Report: Hydrogeology - Moree Special Activation Precinct iii Figure 2.23 Major geological basins of the Great Artesian Basin Figure 2.24 Groundwater