South-east Australian Fractured Rock Province Hydrogeological Inventory

40% of Australia's groundwater is stored in fractured rock aquifers, which this dataset inventories. The Australian Ocean Data Network compiled descriptive attributes on location, geology, hydrogeology, and land use for areas bounded by spatial groundwater features. The dataset is associated with a Hydrogeology Index map and was last updated on 2026-06-27.

Use Cases

• Model groundwater flow and recharge in fractured rock aquifers based on described hydrogeological attributes.
• Assess groundwater management and use potential for irrigation or town supplies based on the inventory's thematic information.
• Correlate lithological units and mineral deposits with groundwater features in the Lachlan Orogen region described in the dataset.
• Support environmental impact studies by integrating land use and industry data with groundwater characteristics.

Strengths

• Covers a significant groundwater system, with fractured rock aquifers storing about 40% of Australia's groundwater.
• Attributes are organized into 11 descriptive themes including geology, hydrogeology, and groundwater management.
• Associated with a spatial Hydrogeology Index map, providing a geospatial context.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• The study scope is limited, explicitly excluding the New England, Thomson, and Delamerian Orogens.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network via data_gov_au.

Collection Method

Likely compiled as a descriptive inventory from geological and hydrogeological surveys.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-06-27 20:46:13.576868; freshness should be verified.

Geography

South-east Australian Fractured Rock Province, including parts of New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania.