2.6.1.3.1 Spatial and temporal modelling domains


The hydrological modelling for the Galilee subregion is limited to the Burdekin river basin where all seven proposed coal mines identified for impact assessment are located (Figure 4). The Belyando River, which is a tributary of the Burdekin River, receives surface water runoff from the seven proposed mining sites and discharges via the Suttor River into the Burdekin River (Figure 4). The surface water modelling domain adopted in the bioregional assessment for the Galilee subregion includes the portion of the Burdekin river basin upstream of the junction of the Suttor and Cape rivers just above the Burdekin Falls Dam. The spatial boundary of the modelling domain was selected in accordance with the conceptual modelling for the Galilee subregion (see companion product 2.3 for the Galilee subregion (Evans et al., 2018)). Streamflow in this part of the Burdekin river basin is predominantly unregulated.

The surface water model operates on a daily time step and at a spatial resolution of 0.05 by 0.05 degrees. Model output from these grid cells are accumulated, in an areally weighted fashion, to provide daily streamflow predictions at the locations of interest.

Figure 4

Figure 4 Surface water modelling domain for the Galilee subregion showing location of proposed coal and coal seam gas projects

Data: Bureau of Meteorology (Dataset 1); Bioregional Assessment Programme (Dataset 2, Dataset 3)

There are no coal or coal seam gas (CSG) developments in operation as of the last quarter of 2012 for the Galilee subregion for the baseline coal resource development. There are 17 proposed new developments in the Galilee subregion for additional coal resource development. There is enough available information to include seven of these coal resource developments in the numerical modelling for the Galilee subregion.

The seven development projects being modelled are the open-cut coal mines Alpha Coal Project and Hyde Park Coal Project, and the combined open-cut and underground coal mines Carmichael Coal Mine Project, China First Coal Project, China Stone Coal Project, Kevin’s Corner Coal Project and South Galilee Coal Project.

Both the baseline and coal resource development pathway (CRDP) include simulations from 2013 to 2102. However, for both, the period from 1983 to 2012 is also modelled and acts as an extended spin-up period (the period of time in which the model is allowed to run prior to the period for which predictions are required – it allows the initial values of any model stores to converge (or equilibrate) towards natural conditions before the prediction period begins).

Last updated:
17 December 2018
Thumbnail of the Galilee subregion

Product Finalisation date

2018

ASSESSMENT