Presenter: Brendan Cossens
Date / Time: Tuesday, 19 May 2015 at 5:30 pm
Location/Meeting Room: Goulburn-Murray Water, 33 Casey Street, Tatura
RSVP: For catering purposes please RSVP using the invite below or email vic.branch@iah.org.au
RSVP : Goulburn-Murray Water presentation – 19th May 2015 – Development of a groundwat
Abstract:
The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) has initiated a program to improve Victoria’s groundwater licensing framework to provide greater consistency, efficiency and transparency. The development of a Groundwater Interference Assessment Tool (GIAT) is a key output of the program.
At present the development of groundwater resources is fraught with risk and uncertainty for the investor, particularly for large scale commercial developments where the costs can be significant. In some cases, the cost and uncertainty may be a deterrent to the development of groundwater resources.
The GIAT brings together available state-wide groundwater information to inform investors of groundwater development potential and improve certainty and efficiency in the assessment of groundwater licence applications.
The first step toward the development of the GIAT has been to establish the hydrogeological logic and risk assessment framework. A sophisticated spread sheet has been developed to trial the risk assessment.
It is proposed that in the future the GIAT will become available as a spatial web based tool to assist with (i) determining the best sites to target for drilling based on aquifer depth, yield and groundwater salinity; (ii) identifying resource management considerations (i.e. entitlement limits and trading rules); and (iii) assessing the likelihood of a licence application being approved based on consideration of the threat to existing groundwater users and the environment.
Bio:
Brendan Cossens is a Senior Hydrogeologist with Goulburn-Murray Water with over 15 years’ experience in natural resource management. Prior to joining GMW, Mr Cossens worked for SKM on a range of range of hydrogeological and environmental projects in Victoria and the Murray Darling Basin, including hydrogeological assessments to assist clients applying for a groundwater licence.
At GMW, Mr Cossens is responsible for providing high level technical, strategic planning and policy advice with respect to the management of groundwater resources. This includes the development of resource management plans and the assessment of groundwater licence applications.
