A first‑of‑its‑kind Groundwater Access Toolkit, developed for the Gilgandra and Warrumbungle Shires to give farmers, businesses and households unprecedented access to clear, practical and locally relevant groundwater information to address drought resilience and preparedness, has been officially launched.
Jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and NSW Government through the Regional Drought Resilience Planning (RDRP) Program, and launched through the Castlereagh Country Drought Hub, the toolkit was developed after community feedback identified the region’s strong reliance on groundwater to sustain town water supplies, stock and domestic use, and local industries.
The new Groundwater Toolkit directly addresses these challenges by consolidating all key groundwater information into one accessible platform, helping users understand groundwater systems, assess potential bore locations and make informed investment decisions — particularly useful as the region enters a drying period.
Gilgandra Shire Council General Manager, David Neeves said the launch of the toolkit marks a major step forward for local water knowledge.
“This is the first time our region has had a single, easy‑to‑use resource that explains groundwater in a way everyone can understand. It puts reliable information in the hands of the people who need it most,” said Mr Neeves.
Warrumbungle Shire Council General Manager, Lindsay Mason said the resource will support both immediate planning and long‑term resilience.
“Whether you’re managing stock, running a business or planning for household water security, having clear information matters. The Groundwater Toolkit gives our community the knowledge they need to prepare, adapt and stay resilient,” he said.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said the initiative was formed with support from the Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program, which aims to equip communities with the knowledge and tools they need to plan for and manage future drought risks.
“The Groundwater Toolkit is a great example of preparedness in action, giving farmers, businesses and households access to clear, practical and locally relevant groundwater information,” the Minister said.
“By turning complex data into something usable on the ground, this initiative will support better decision-making and strengthen long-term resilience across regional NSW.”
The Groundwater Access Toolkit allows users to:
1. Explore an interactive map with local groundwater data
Users can drop a pin anywhere within the Gilgandra or Warrumbungle LGAs (plus a 10 km buffer) to view:
- Existing groundwater works
- Groundwater sources and aquifers
- High‑priority Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs)
- Water Sharing Plan boundaries
- Cadastre lots and LGA boundaries
2. Understand groundwater basics in simple terms
The Toolkit explains:
- What aquifers are and how they work
- How groundwater is measured (ML)
- How extraction limits (LTAAEL) protect long‑term sustainability
- The difference between BLR bores and production bores
3. Navigate licensing and approvals with confidence
The Toolkit outlines:
- When a Water Access Licence (WAL) is required
- When Basic Landholder Rights apply
- What approvals are needed for domestic, stock, irrigation or commercial use
- How hydrogeological assessments work
- Metering and telemetry requirements
4. Plan for bore construction
Users can access:
- Steps involved in drilling a bore
- Indicative costs
- Links to NSW Government guidance and approvals
Groundwater hydrogeologist and the owner of a water drilling company based in Dubbo, Greg Brereton, said the toolkit will be a game‑changer for both new bore planning and troubleshooting existing bores.
“The Groundwater Access Tool helps landowners easily find registered water bores on their property and surrounding properties to estimate drilling depth and potential water yield,” said Mr Brereton.
“It also provides clear information about the aquifers beneath their land and the licensing rules under the relevant groundwater sharing plan. Having all this information in one place makes the tool far more user‑friendly for anyone wanting to understand their groundwater options.
“It’s even useful for those who may be having issues with existing bores. I’ve recently been receiving calls from people across the Castlereagh region whose bore pumps aren’t working properly, but they often don’t have the basic information to help diagnose the problem.
“This tool lets them quickly look up key details like bore depth and screen location, which speeds up troubleshooting and is incredibly simple to use. It’s a common issue in drought, and this will make a real difference, especially in seasons like we are currently experiencing,” he said.
With the region moving into a drying period, the toolkit provides timely support for landholders considering groundwater as part of their planning. By improving access to reliable information and reducing uncertainty, it aims to strengthen long‑term drought resilience across the Castlereagh region.
The Groundwater Toolkit is now available at: https://castlereaghcountry.com.au/groundwater-access-tools.
For more information about the RDRP Program in NSW, go to the Department of Regional NSW RDRP website.
For more information about the Future Drought Fund, go to the DAFF website.
