QUEENSLAND GROUNDWATER EXPLORATION PROGRAM MAKES TWO FINDS

A $6.5 million Bligh Government project to find new groundwater supplies in Queensland has made two recent finds – in Toowoomba and at Wallangarra south of Stanthorpe.

Natural Resources and Water Minister Craig Wallace said further work was needed to establish how significant the finds are and if there is potential for long-term yields.

Other sites selected for future exploratory groundwater drilling include:

·The Killarney area;

·The South Burnett region between Kumbia and Murgon;

·The Mundubbera area; and

·In the vicinity of Mount Morgan.

“The Bligh Government is helping to secure Queensland’s water future,” Mr Wallace said.

“Our statewide groundwater drilling program shows we are actively seeking new water resources for our State,” he said.

The four-year Sedimentary and Fractured Rock Aquifer Project study, which commenced in July last year, aims to identify potential sources of groundwater and to undertake studies to determine suitable extraction processes.

A comprehensive desk-top study has been undertaken to select sites for potential drilling programs throughout Queensland.

Drilling programs have been designed to target potential high yielding aquifers in sedimentary and fractured rocks.

Mr Wallace said a drilling program has recently been completed in the Toowoomba City area to better assess groundwater availability from the Toowoomba Basalts.

The drilling involved 14 holes at eight sites to maximum depths of 226 metres.

The drilling program was undertaken at sites located in Darling Heights, Centenary Heights, Rangeville, Mount Lofty, Newton, Wilsonton, Rockville and Harlaxton.

The Toowoomba Basalts that these bores were drilled into occur throughout Toowoomba City and the groundwater in these basalts is utilised across the city for residential and some industrial purposes. Generally, good quality water was encountered at these sites. The flow rates were variable as is expected in such geological formations.

“The results of this program will help to ensure that any future use of groundwater from the Toowoomba Basalts is effectively monitored and managed,’’ he said.

The program has also discovered groundwater in the Granite Belt at Wallangarra utilising the Department of Natural Resources’ drilling rig. Drilling is continuing in the vicinity of Stanthorpe in the granites.

Further drilling is set to take place in the South Burnett basalt areas between Kumbia and Murgon in the near future.

Desk top studies are continuing in the Central Highlands, Mount Surprise, Belyando and Suttor river areas and the Maryborough to Gympie area - and test drilling sites will be selected following consultations with the relevant local authorities.

Media inquiries: Paul Childs, Craig Wallace’s office, on 0407 131 654.