Project overview 

In 1938, engineer Dr John Bradfield proposed a scheme to move water. His scheme would move water south and inland, from northern Queensland coastal catchments. If successful, the scheme would provide water for inland agricultural development. 

Variations of the original Bradfield Scheme recommended diverting water from north Queensland to:

Project overview

This desktop assessment undertaken by GHD identified areas of Queensland that may be suitable for underground water storage technologies. These include things such as sand dams or sub-surface dams to support agricultural development. 

Sand dams and sub-surface dams are technologies that are used to capture seasonal flows or groundwater recharge events. They are then stored for off-season use. 

Project overview

This project looked at the agricultural potential of 3 catchments in Queensland. The catchments were Mitchell, Flinders and Gilbert. Alluvium Consulting undertook this work. They looked at key considerations, knowledge gaps and next steps.
 
This project built on extensive previous analysis by CSIRO through:

Project overview

This desktop study assessed the salinity risk from irrigated agriculture over Central Plains aquifers in the Western Davenport Region of the Northern Territory (NT). The assessment focused on the Central Plains region because it has higher yielding and better quality aquifers than the rest of the region. Thus, it provides greater opportunities for new horticulture developments. 

Project overview

This project identified potential opportunities to reuse wastewater for agricultural purposes in Australia. The research was undertaken by GHD.

This project involved:

Project overview

The project assessed opportunities for new water infrastructure to support irrigated agriculture. It considered groundwater-based systems around Australia and surface water systems in northern Australia. 

It identified areas where developing water infrastructure could support new or expanded agriculture. The desktop study used available data and a clear set of criteria. The reviewed data helped inform the final outcomes. The study included expert knowledge from experienced authors. 

Project overview

CSIRO assessed the possibility of using desalination technologies to support Australian agriculture.
Desalination is a process that removes dissolved salts from: 

• seawater
• municipal or industrial wastewater
• brackish or saline inland water, including groundwater.

The process results in 2 streams: 

Project overview

The Bureau of Meteorology assessed potential climate change impacts on water resources. They did this across Australia, and in selected catchments. They used global and regional scale information.

Their report presents trends, and the data and modelling behind them. This will inform the analysis, planning and investment decisions of the National Water Grid Authority (NWGA). This will help the NWGA plan and build for a future Australia that is water secure, climate-resilient and adaptable. 

Project overview

This project provided the National Water Grid Authority (NWGA) with a rapid desktop appraisal of emerging technologies that have the potential to:

• encourage new agriculture and primary industry development 
• build resilience for existing agriculture and primary industries. 

This research was done by RM Consulting Group. It intended to inform future NWGA Science Program investment. The report includes a gap analysis to identify suggested areas for investment.

Project overview

Managed aquifer recharge (MAR) is the intentional recharge of water into groundwater aquifers. This is done for environmental benefit or so it can be later recovered.

This project involved a national appraisal of 17 irrigation areas. These were selected if they could benefit from MAR. Benefits include: