Application of regional, basin-wide, information can be beneficial when investigating local areas with limited data. Construction and operation of an underground salt mine and waste storage facility at a depth of 850 m is proposed in the Northern Territory. A water assessment was completed to assess potential impacts to water resources and users from the construction and operation of the proposed project.
The existing local and regional hydrological and hydrogeological environment is assessed using a risk-based approach. The potential risks on water resources and on water users are identified and quantified on a local and regional scale, and mitigation and management measures are proposed.
Water investigations, spanning two years, have included the collection and analysis of extensive local and regional data. A conceptual model based has been derived based on the site specific local data incorporating regional understanding of the hydrogeology of the Amadeus Basin and surface water systems.
Overall there are few potential water related impacts due to:
In remote areas with spatially limited baseline data, application of a regional, basin-scale conceptual understanding can be valuable for identifying potential localised impacts.