Project Actvities and News

Community meeting to present model planned for September 9th  -  Girraween Primay School

Wednesday 9th September - Assembly Area, Girraween Primary School, 6:30 - 8:30 pm,  (tea and coffee provided).

The Howard East groundwater model is designed to enable a wide range of stakeholders to gain an understanding of the groundwater systems, the aquifers, water level variations and connections to the ground surface in the Howard area. This is important considering the recent growth in local residential and horticultural development and the need for a local water strategy to be developed, and we hope it becomes an education and decision making tool for a wide audience in the future. The first pictures of the model can be seen below.

From this picture you can see that the model is able to slice the Howard aquifer at a number of points and reveal the geographical framework in a cross section below. Other functions of the model are currently being developed and will be presented at the September meeting.

This picture shows all of the private and commercial bores in the study area within the Howard East. Major roads such as the Stuart Hwy and Arnhem Hwy are marked in red. Users will be able to switch bores on and off depending on which aquifer they are drilled into (i.e. upper - cretaceous or lower - dolomite). Users can also watch groundwater levels change in the aquifer over time and space using amounts recorded from the area's 47 monitoring bores.

Government and Stakeholder meetings held at CSIRO to gain feedback model

On the 13th and 14th of August, a number of staekholders and members of the public were given an opportunity to see the model and give their input on ways to make the model more useful and user-friendly. Both meetings were well attended a range of local 'experts' including modellers, water planners, community engagement officers, bore drillers, researchers, horticulturalists, hydro geographers and council representatives. The project team would like to thank all attendees for taking the time to offer very valuable feedback to the Queensland and Darwin based project team.

Malcolm explains to the group the hydro geography of the model

New team modeller Amy Hawke talks to the public about her model

Howard East Stakeholder Report released

A stakeholder report outlining the issues of concern, attitudes and interests that different stakeholders in the Howard East have would like considered for future water planning. This document is now publically available (click here) and represents the results of over 37 interviews undertaken between August and November 2008. Its findings have been presented to the Northn Territory Government and tested in a community meeting held in Howard Springs in April, and with various key staekholders and government agency staff.

Local researcher featured on ABC Darwin and Hot 100 FM radio - April 2009

Local researcher, Sharna Nolan, has just completed 2 radio interviews that will be featured on today's radio news programs on ABC Darwin and Hot 100 FM.

Public forum on rural water, Girraween Primary School, April 21st

With the help of independent member, Gerry Wood, the project team launched the modelling project at a public meeting held at Girraween Primary School. The meeting attracted over 30 residents and stakeholders, the majority of whom stayed for the entire 2 hours and asked lots of questions to the project team. A summary of the presentations made by Malcolm Cox (Hydrogeologist), Mark Dwyer (Software Modeller) and Sharna Nolan (Local researcher) can be read in the project newsletter for May (downloadable here).

Mark Dwyer explaining how the model will be built and what it can do.

Local Shire Council President Mary Walse discusses ground water issues with residents

Local politician Gerry Wood explains groundwater management issues to Malcolm Cox

Project represented at Fred's Pass Rural Show, May 15-17

Thanks to the generosity of the Litchfield Shire Council, the project had a display at the recent Fred's Pass rural show, held May 15 - 17th at Fred's Pass. Sharna was on hand to discuss the project with interested passers by, recieving good feedback and stories about people's experiences with bores and groundwater.

Project display at the Fred's Pass Rural Show

Participatory mapping exercises get underway with local bore drillers

Data collection for the model has begun with researchers visiting local bore drillers to capture local knowledge and expertise in the model. By participating in an interview or completing a survey, community members can ensure that the model uses the best scientific data to explain locally observed trends and includes their properties and bores. If you would like to participate in these exercises, please get in touch with our team through email.

Sharna and Malcolm visit local bore driller Henry Van Tilburg

Local observations and knowledge mapped onto topographical maps (1:10 000)

Gerry Wood discusses future water supply of Darwin and modelling project on Territory FM

Local politician, Gerry Wood, discusses importance of our modelling project and answers questions around the consideration of Manton Dam as a town water supply on Territory FM. The files can be downloaded below.

Territoryfm territory talk 0928 - Gerry Wood on Manton Dam Pt1

Territoryfm territory talk 0928 - Gerry Wood on Manton Dam Pt2

This is an opportunity for you to observe the groundwater bores and water levels in the Howard East Aquifer in one 3D view.

It will assist you to understand the water systems and answer questions like:

·        What is the internal geological structure of the area?

·        Where is groundwater likely to occur in the area and how does the Howard East aquifer system work?

·        How does the aquifer respond to rainfall?

·        Are shallower, older bores likely to run dry?

·        What effect does the current extraction have on local groundwater levels?

·        How many bores are there and what aquifer do they draw from?

·        Is monitoring of water levels worthwhile?

The public can apply for copies of the model on disc for installation in their home computer. Dr Malcolm Cox, Amy Hawke, Sharna Nolan, Gerry Wood and other local invite experts will be available to answer questions relating to the Howard aquifer. Springs

A media release advertising this event can be downloaded by clicking here

 First photos of model