Aquatic and groundwater ecology assessment

Santos NSW

We conducted a two-year aquatic ecology assessment for Santos’ operations around Narrabri in northern NSW.

Case-study Santos-1 500x700px

The study considered the general aquatic and riparian community, along with species listed under the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995, NSW Fisheries Management Act 1994, and Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).

The assessment included four components:

  • Surveys of 19 sites in the mid-Namoi catchment to get an overall indication of aquatic ecological condition based on habitat, macroinvertebrate communities and water quality
  • A groundwater dependent ecosystem (GDE) assessment that used remote sensing techniques, hydrogeological information and field validation surveys to identify GDEs and determine their ecological value
  • Targeted surveys for stygofauna in alluvial and sandstone aquifers
  • Assessment of potential impacts to the aquatic ecological community (invertebrates, fish, plants and stygofauna) in a large temporary waterway.

Contacts