2.6.2.4.3 Recharge and evapotranspiration

Recharge and evapotranspiration were not included in the regional GW AEM. In this modelling approach, only the change in the system due to coal resource development is simulated. At the regional scale, coal resource development does not change land use or rainfall patterns. The change in recharge and evapotranspiration due to coal resource development is thus zero and therefore not included in the model. It is noted that at the local, mine development scale, the change in land use will result in a change in recharge and evapotranspiration, especially after mining ceases. This is beyond the resolution and scope of the modelling. A more detailed discussion on this rationale and the effect on predictions is provided in the qualitative uncertainty analysis in Section 2.6.2.8 .