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| Great Artesian Basin Advisory Committee | |
|---|---|
| Name | Great Artesian Basin Advisory Committee |
| Type | Advisory body |
| Formed | 2000s |
| Headquarters | Canberra, Queensland |
| Region served | Australia |
| Parent organisation | Australian Government; Queensland Government; New South Wales Government |
Great Artesian Basin Advisory Committee is an advisory body established to coordinate policy, management and scientific advice for the Great Artesian Basin across Australia. The committee provides strategic guidance linking federal agencies such as the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources and the Department of the Environment and Energy with state entities including the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines, the New South Wales Office of Water and the South Australian Department for Environment and Water. Its role intersects with organisations like the Australian Conservation Foundation, the National Farmers' Federation, the Australian Academy of Science and regional authorities such as the Central Land Council and the Northern Territory Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The committee was formed against a backdrop of long-standing scientific and policy activity including work by the Bureau of Meteorology, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, the Geological Survey of Queensland and the Geoscience Australia national mapping programs. Early milestones involved coordination with the Water Act 2007 implementation, the Murray–Darling Basin Plan debates and initiatives from the Council of Australian Governments that engaged stakeholders like the Australian Local Government Association and the Australian Industry Group. Its establishment followed consultations that included representatives from the Royal Society of New South Wales, the CSIRO Division of Earth Science and Resource Engineering, the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and indigenous organisations such as the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania and the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council.
The committee advises ministers, statutory authorities and agencies including the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency on sustainable use of the basin. It provides recommendations on groundwater allocation, infrastructure investment and conservation in coordination with the Australian Energy Market Operator, the Australian Water Association and the National Water Commission legacy reports. Functions include reviewing management plans from the Queensland Water Plan, the New South Wales Water Management Act 2000 applications, and inputs to policy instruments used by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute in environmental security analyses.
Membership typically includes scientists, policy-makers and representatives from organisations such as the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, the Geological Society of Australia, state water agencies like the Victorian Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and landholder associations such as the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia and the Grazier's Association of Queensland. Appointments can involve offices like the Minister for the Environment and the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia; advisory relationships include the National Native Title Tribunal, the Australian Human Rights Commission on indigenous water rights, and local government through councils such as the City of Brisbane and regional bodies like the Far West Regional Organisation of Councils.
The committee has overseen programs that align with projects run by the Natural Heritage Trust, the National Landcare Program, the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 frameworks and funding mechanisms similar to those administered by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency. Initiatives include bore capping and piping programs reminiscent of efforts by the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative, water efficiency projects linked to standards from the Australian Building Codes Board, and pilot studies coordinated with the University of Queensland, the University of Sydney, the Australian National University, and the James Cook University.
Engagement spans indigenous organisations such as the Central Land Council, the Tiwi Land Council, and state peak bodies like the NSW Farmers' Association and the Queensland Farmers' Federation. Partnerships include collaboration with research centres such as the Fenner School of Environment and Society, the Institute for Applied Ecology at the University of Canberra, the Australian Institute of Marine Science on cross-ecosystem impacts, and international links with entities like the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Wildlife Fund Australia.
Monitoring frameworks reflect standards used by the Bureau of Meteorology and data platforms operated by Geoscience Australia and the Atlas of Living Australia. Research coordination involves projects with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, universities including the University of New South Wales and the University of Melbourne, and technical input from the Australian Groundwater Consultants Association and the International Association of Hydrogeologists. Data management aligns with policies from the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy and interoperability practices championed by the Australian Research Data Commons.
The committee has navigated contentious issues involving resource access disputes similar to cases brought before the High Court of Australia and debates mirrored in inquiries like those conducted by parliamentary committees including the Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications. Controversies have arisen over competing interests involving the mining industry in Australia, pastoralists represented by the Pastoralists and Graziers Association of Western Australia, indigenous water rights contested through the National Native Title Tribunal, and environmental advocacy from groups like the Australian Conservation Foundation and the Wilderness Society. Scientific disputes have involved interpretations by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and academic critiques published in journals such as those of the Australian Academy of Science.
Category:Great Artesian Basin Category:Australian environmental organisations