Proposed Sand Quarry, Lake George, NSW

Martens were engaged to prepare a groundwater assessment to support a proposed sand quarry south of Goulburn at Lake George, NSW.

Martens were engaged to prepare a groundwater assessment to support an Environmental Assessment (EA) associated with a proposed sand quarry south of Goulburn at Lake George, NSW.

A range of information including geological maps, borehole logs, hydraulic testing results and monitored groundwater levels were utilised to develop a conceptual hydrogeological and subsequent numerical groundwater MODFLOW model to determine groundwater levels and flow directions.

The proposed quarry’s resource comprises aeolian (windblown) sand. Interestingly, based on literature review, the aeolian sands are noted to have been derived from strandline (beach) and fluvial deposits around the eastern margin of Lake George and transported to the proposed quarry by the wind.

Project scope included:

• Data synthesis and analysis to enable conceptual and numerical groundwater model development
• Numerical groundwater modelling (MODFLOW) to assist with preparation of a groundwater constraints plan to comply with the NSW Department of Planning Director General Requirements (DGRs) stipulation that quarrying required a 2 m buffer to the water table.
• Preparation of a report