Lower Glenelg FLOWS project
GLENELG CMA 2018
Austral, in partnership with several other small consultants, led the revision of environmental flow recommendations for the lower Glenelg River and estuary. We also worked with HARC to develop preliminary flow requirements for the upper Wannon River. Both projects required the review of recent literature, hydrological analysis and development of flow objectives and recommendations. The lower Glenelg project involved one of the first applications of both the FLOWS2 and EEFAM methodologies.
Assessment of transmission losses in Duck River for the proposed Circular Head Irrigation Scheme
Tasmanian Irrigation 2015
Austral partnered with Innovative Groundwater Solutions to deliver this project. As part of the planned Circular Head irrigation scheme, a 20km reach of the Duck River was proposed to convey irrigation rights to the northern region. The project assessed the potential for stream losses in this section of river.
A field program involved the collection of the following data: groundwater levels, river stages, river flows, river channel dimensions, and river bed and bank hydraulic conductivity. This data, together with data collected by previous investigations, informed the development of conceptual models for three representative cross sections, as well as a 3D numerical groundwater model.
Assessment of water recovery options for the Maribyrnong River
Department of land and Water 2017
Austral partnered with Riverness to collate information to enable the development and assessment (prioritisation) of options to recover 3 GL of water for the environment in the Maribyrnong River, in line with the Central Sustainable Water Strategy.
26 identified options were ranked according to 5 metrics (contribution to environmental water overall shortfall volume, cost of option, other environmental benefits and/or risks, energy use and reliability) enabling priority options to be negotiated among stakeholders to recover the shortfall volume.
Review of the ecological components of South Australian Water Allocation Plans
DEWNR 2017
Austral undertook a review of the ecological policy components of SA WAPs to inform a risk assessment and 5 year planning and investment by the South Australian Government. The presence of ecological objectives was reviewed and the link between these and policies were analysed. The implementation of policies and MERI programs was also assessed, together with regional values in order to develop a risk ranking for each WAP/prescribed water resource.
Project list
Aire Valley Estuary Project (Alluvium, 2020)