Great Artesian Bain Springs Research Plan Carmichael Coal Mine Project Great Artesian Basin Springs Research Plan Version 6c, 10 September 2019 1 | P a g e Great Artesian Bain Springs Research Plan Document Control & Version Control Document Title: Great Artesian Basin Springs Research Plan Document No: CCMP-000000-PLN-HY-000100 Document Type: Plan First Issue Date: 26 July 2018 Rev Issue Date Description of Revisions Made Author Code 1 26/6/18 Submission to the Adani Commonwealth Government Jacobs 2 6/12/18 Updates based on feedback from Adani the Commonwealth Government CDM Smith 3 22/3/19 Updates based on feedback from Adani the Commonwealth Government CDM Smith 4 27/6/19 Updates based on feedback from Adani the Commonwealth Government CDM Smith 5 7/8/19 Updates based on feedback from Adani the Commonwealth Government 6 22/8/19 Updates based on feedback from Adani the Commonwealth Government 6a 28/8/19 Minor correction Adani 6b 6/9/19 Minor correction Adani 6c 10/9/19 Minor correction Adani 2 | P a g e Great Artesian Bain Springs Research Plan Contents 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................... 7 1.1 Project Description .................................................................................................................. 7 1.2 EBPC Act Approval 2010/5736, Condition 25 ......................................................................... 9 1.3 Document structure ............................................................................................................ 10 1.4 Objectives and scope ............................................................................................................ 10 1.5 Relationship with other research and management plans / adaptive management ........... 14 1.5.1 Relevant GAB Springs research programs and studies ................................................. 17 2 Baseline understanding................................................................................................................. 18 2.1 GAB Springs ........................................................................................................................... 18 2.1.1 GAB spring wetlands ..................................................................................................... 18 2.1.2 GAB springs nomenclature ........................................................................................... 18 2.1.3 GAB springs structure ................................................................................................... 19 2.1.4 GAB springs wetland size .............................................................................................. 21 2.1.5 GAB springs wetlands ecology ...................................................................................... 21 2.1.6 OGIA 2016 Summary report on Surat CMA springs research and knowledge ............. 22 2.2 Hydrogeology ........................................................................................................................ 23 2.2.1 Spring source aquifer .................................................................................................... 26 2.3 Doongmabulla Springs Complex ........................................................................................... 29 2.3.1 Overview ....................................................................................................................... 29 2.3.2 Moses springs-group ..................................................................................................... 29 2.3.3 Little Moses springs-group ............................................................................................ 30 2.3.4 Joshua spring-group ...................................................................................................... 31 2.3.5 Ecology .......................................................................................................................... 31 2.3.6 Disturbance ................................................................................................................... 36 2.4 Fensham et.al. (2016) Overview of the Doongmabulla Spring Complex .............................. 42 2.5 Hydrology .............................................................................................................................. 44 2.6 Summary of baseline monitoring findings ............................................................................ 46 2.7 Predicted impacts ................................................................................................................. 47 2.7.1 Model development ...................................................................................................... 47 2.7.2 Peer review ................................................................................................................... 48 2.7.3 Predicted hydrological changes at Doongmabulla Springs Complex ............................ 48 3 | P a g e Great Artesian Bain Springs Research Plan 2.7.4 Potential ecological impacts ......................................................................................... 49 2.7.5 Specific project impacts ................................................................................................ 50 3 Research program framework ...................................................................................................... 55 3.1 Framework ............................................................................................................................ 55 3.2 Study and data requirements ............................................................................................... 57 3.2.1 Q1. Predicted hydrological changes .............................................................................. 57 3.2.2 Q2. Ecological implications of any changes to wetland hydrology ............................... 58 3.2.3 Q3. Development of methods for prevention and mitigation of ecological impacts to the GAB springs community.......................................................................................................... 59 3.2.4 Q4. Development of methods for remediation and offset of ecological impacts to the GAB springs community ................................................................................................................ 59 3.3 Links to other research and management plans .................................................................. 60 4 Program implementation .............................................................................................................. 62 4.1 Program governance ............................................................................................................. 62 4.2 Scope and objectives of research packages .......................................................................... 63 4.2.1 Overview ....................................................................................................................... 63 4.2.2 RP1.1: Hydrogeology review and monitoring ............................................................... 63 4.2.3 RP1.2: Geochemical survey ........................................................................................... 65 4.2.4 RP1.3: Geological mapping ........................................................................................... 66 4.2.5 RP1.4: Spring wetland hydro(geo)logical conceptualisation and water balance ......... 67 4.2.6 RP1.5: Rewan Formation connectivity investigations ................................................... 68 4.2.7 RP1.6: Regional hydrogeological conceptualisation review and updated groundwater modelling ...................................................................................................................................... 68 4.2.8 RP2.1: Ecological surveys and monitoring .................................................................... 69 4.2.9 RP2.2: Hydro-ecological conceptualisation and assessment of key species ................ 70 4.2.10 RP3.1: Desktop prevention and mitigation scoping study ............................................ 71 4.2.11 RP3.2: Pilot testing of prevention and mitigation methods ......................................... 72 4.2.12 RP3.3: Prevention and mitigation strategy ................................................................... 73 4.2.13 RP4.1: Desktop offset scoping study ............................................................................. 73 4.2.14 RP4.2: Targeted ecological surveys ............................................................................... 74 4.2.15 RP4.3: Targeted hydro-ecological studies ..................................................................... 74 4.2.16 RP4.4: Remediation assessment and trial ..................................................................... 75 4.2.17 RP4.5: Remediation and offset strategy ....................................................................... 75 4.3 Research proposal assessment criteria ................................................................................. 76 4 | P a g e Great Artesian Bain Springs Research Plan 4.4 Implementation schedule ..................................................................................................... 76 4.5 Priority actions for potential offsets to protect and manage the GAB Springs .................... 78 4.5.1 Offsets ..........................................................................................................................