SUPPORTING ARTESIAN SPRINGS 

To preserve the GAB springs, Desert Channels Group will team up with local landholders and Aboriginal communities to implement a long-term plan for the conservation and sustainable use of land and water in western Queensland. 

Through a reduction in threats, the health of the springs will improve and be able to support the many unique species that live in them.

Artesian springs are caused by the natural releases of water from the Great Artesian Basin (GAB). The pressure from the GAB causes water to discharge at the surface. This can be caused by faults in the underlying rock outcrops which cause the water to come to the surface or where the basin is very close to the surface.

VALUE OF THE SPRINGS

The artesian springs are highly valued because of their outstanding natural and cultural features. They are home to some rare species including small fish such as the Red-Finned Blue Eye – Australia’s rarest fish, small snails and a range of plants that only grow in the artesian water. In addition, often these springs are in arid environments meaning they provide the only reliable water in the landscape and are very important for a range of other species. Given that these species rely so heavily on artesian water and are found at a number of springs, they have been listed as Endangered under both Commonwealth and State government legislation. 

(The Red-Finned Blue Eye (Scaturginichthys vermeilipinnis) is only found in the Barcaldine super group – photo by Adam Kerezy.)

These springs also have significant cultural heritage to Indigenous people and to current graziers. For Indigenous culture, they have been found to be intrinsically sacred and of vital importance as campsites as part of trade and communication routes (Fensham et al. 2016).  

The pastoralists saw springs as key reliable water to support grazing development. Often the first roads and track follow lines of springs. Due to their value of water, often springs were drilled, drained or dug out to improve their water flow – however this often led to their degradation and sometimes reduced their water flow (Fensham et al. 2016). 

THREAT TO THE SPRINGS

Due to their small size and being the only water source in vast arid landscapes, the springs are subject to a range of threats. The key threat is the reduction in artesian pressure caused through the establishment of bores throughout Australia. Since European settlement, it has been reported that 40% of discharge spring complexes in the GAB have become completely inactive (Fensham et al. 2016). However, today, this drop in bore pressure is being managed through the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative, which is working with landholders to cap and pipe any free flowing bores.

High grazing pressure on springs is also a significant threat as the cattle can cause disturbance to the vegetation, changing the water quality and reducing the habitat value.  Feral animals such as pigs also cause significant damage by changing the local topography through wallowing, disrupting the soil properties and water quality. Mosquito fish or gambusia found throughout the region is a serious pest fish that can predate the rare fish like the red-finned blue eye that live in the springs.  Weeds are also a significant threat. In some locations, weeds can drain the springs due to using the water, changing the availability of free water to be used by fish.  Weeds such as rubber vine can also smother the surrounding vegetation changing the structure of the springs.

MANAGEMENT OF THE SPRINGS

The project aims to reduce the impact of invasive species by removing weeds and controlling pest animals by trapping and humane lethal protocols. Regular assessments of flora and fauna diversity will be conducted to guide actions. From a human perspective, traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) from Aboriginal communities will be actively included in management practice, with landholders being consulted about measures to reduce impacts of cattle on GAB springs. The main goals of the project are to improve the habitat conditions of GAB springs while raising  an awareness of best farming practices and TEK among landholders by June 2028.