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Great Artesian Basin and Other Regional Aquifers water resource planning area

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Based on wetland mapping version 7.0

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Great Artesian Basin and Other Regional Aquifers water resource planning area wetland area by system 2021
System Area (ha) % wetlands area % total area
Total 5,461,689 100.0% 4.5%
Total excluding riverine and artificial/highly modified riverine 3,885,525 71.1% 3.2%
Artificial and highly modified 116,128 2.1% 0.1%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 696,221 12.7% 0.6%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Lacustrine (natural) 499,895 9.2% 0.4%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 13,066 0.2% 0.0%
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 17 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (natural) 2,541,851 46.5% 2.1%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 18,425 0.3% 0.0%
Riverine 1,576,086 28.9% 1.3%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (highly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 696,221 12.7% 0.6%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Lacustrine (artificial) 86,851 1.6% 0.1%
Lacustrine (highly modified) 22,320 0.4% 0.0%
Lacustrine (natural) 499,895 9.2% 0.4%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 13,066 0.2% 0.0%
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 17 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (artificial) 973 0.0% 0.0%
Palustrine (highly modified) 5,906 0.1% 0.0%
Palustrine (natural) 2,541,851 46.5% 2.1%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 18,425 0.3% 0.0%
Riverine (artificial) 13 0.0% 0.0%
Riverine (highly modified) 65 0.0% 0.0%
Riverine (natural) 1,574,865 28.8% 1.3%
Riverine (slightly modified) 1,221 0.0% 0.0%

For definitions of artificial, highly modified, modified, slightly modified and natural wetlands, see the Queensland Wetland Mapping Method - A Method to Provide Baseline Mapping of Wetland Extent and Changes in Wetland Extent in Queensland.

Great Artesian Basin and Other Regional Aquifers water resource planning area wetland area by habitat 2021
Habitat Area (ha) % wetlands area % total area
Total 3,736,014 100.0% 3.1%
Mangroves - Casuarina 0 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - other 193,533 5.2% 0.2%
Salt marsh and salt flats 500,874 13.4% 0.4%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake 460,573 12.3% 0.4%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake 25,766 0.7% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake 116 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake 3,129 0.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake 4,931 0.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake 1,007 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp 79,796 2.1% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp 99,729 2.7% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp 1,372,171 36.7% 1.1%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 82,149 2.2% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp 128,928 3.5% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp 129,713 3.5% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 179,987 4.8% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp 2,820 0.1% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp 37 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 212,968 5.7% 0.2%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp 258 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 122,133 3.3% 0.1%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp 5,872 0.2% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 32,681 0.9% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 92,800 2.5% 0.1%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp 3,973 0.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid 29 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal 40 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - Casuarina (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - Casuarina (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Mangroves - other (natural) 193,533 5.2% 0.2%
Mangroves - other (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Salt marsh and salt flats (natural) 500,874 13.4% 0.4%
Salt marsh and salt flats (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (natural) 460,312 12.3% 0.4%
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (slightly modified) 261 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (natural) 25,741 0.7% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (slightly modified) 25 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake (slightly modified) 116 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (natural) 2,703 0.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (slightly modified) 425 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (natural) 4,931 0.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (natural) 1,007 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (natural) 79,102 2.1% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (slightly modified) 694 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (natural) 97,355 2.6% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 2,374 0.1% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 1,371,876 36.7% 1.1%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 295 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 81,053 2.2% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 1,096 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (natural) 127,651 3.4% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 1,277 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 128,329 3.4% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 1,384 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 177,115 4.7% 0.1%
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 2,872 0.1% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 1,122 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 1,699 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (natural) 30 0.0% 0.0%
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (slightly modified) 7 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 212,688 5.7% 0.2%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 280 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 258 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 121,555 3.3% 0.1%
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 577 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 5,075 0.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 797 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 29,910 0.8% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 2,771 0.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 91,071 2.4% 0.1%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 1,729 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 3,973 0.1% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (natural) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (natural) 29 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (natural) 40 0.0% 0.0%
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (slightly modified) 0 0.0% 0.0%

Disclaimer

Areas do not include marine or estuarine waters but do include estuarine wetland vegetation
(e.g. mangroves and tidal flats).

All statistics are approximate and generated based on data transformed to a customised Albers equal-area projection, thus allowing wetland extent change for different regions of Queensland to be comparable.

Areas may change over time as mapping approaches improve.

Totals may not match the sum of individually displayed figures due to the rounding of displayed figures.

Wetland extent changes

Great Artesian Basin and Other Regional Aquifers water resource planning area wetland extent change by system
System 2021 area
(ha)
2019 area
(ha)
2017 area
(ha)
2013 area
(ha)
2009 area
(ha)
2005 area
(ha)
2001 area
(ha)
pre-clear area
(ha)
2021/pre-clear
percentage
Total 5,461,689 5,462,039 5,462,114 5,464,682 5,463,338 5,461,282 5,456,108 5,356,259 * 99.8%
Artificial and highly modified 116,128 115,776 114,970 112,174 110,181 106,654 99,975 0 n/a
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 696,221 696,221 696,225 696,228 696,228 696,228 696,228 696,989 99.9%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Lacustrine (natural) 499,895 499,923 499,923 500,008 500,018 500,019 500,019 503,139 99.4%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 13,066 13,052 13,032 13,012 12,870 12,723 12,645 0 n/a
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 17 17 17 16 15 15 14 0 n/a
Palustrine (natural) 2,541,851 2,542,270 2,542,649 2,543,553 2,544,111 2,545,197 2,545,893 2,569,821 98.9%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 18,425 18,410 18,326 17,949 17,894 17,732 16,936 0 n/a
Riverine 1,576,086 1,576,370 1,576,972 1,581,742 1,582,022 1,582,715 1,584,398 1,586,310 99.4%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (highly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (natural) 696,221 696,221 696,225 696,228 696,228 696,228 696,228 696,989 99.9%
Intertidal (saltmarsh, saltflats, mangroves) (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 n/a
Lacustrine (artificial) 86,851 86,546 86,304 84,334 82,601 79,861 74,935 0 n/a
Lacustrine (highly modified) 22,320 22,273 21,743 21,058 20,813 20,338 18,764 0 n/a
Lacustrine (natural) 499,895 499,923 499,923 500,008 500,018 500,019 500,019 503,139 99.4%
Lacustrine (slightly modified) 13,066 13,052 13,032 13,012 12,870 12,723 12,645 0 n/a
Lacustrine (unknown degree of modification) 17 17 17 16 15 15 14 0 n/a
Palustrine (artificial) 973 973 970 953 949 941 932 0 n/a
Palustrine (highly modified) 5,906 5,906 5,874 5,753 5,742 5,439 5,280 0 n/a
Palustrine (natural) 2,541,851 2,542,270 2,542,649 2,543,553 2,544,111 2,545,197 2,545,893 2,569,821 98.9%
Palustrine (slightly modified) 18,425 18,410 18,326 17,949 17,894 17,732 16,936 0 n/a
Riverine (artificial) 13 13 13 11 11 11 11 0 n/a
Riverine (highly modified) 65 65 65 65 65 65 53 0 n/a
Riverine (natural) 1,574,865 1,575,156 1,575,766 1,580,535 1,580,815 1,581,510 1,583,193 1,586,310 99.3%
Riverine (slightly modified) 1,221 1,214 1,206 1,208 1,207 1,205 1,205 0 n/a

* Total 2021/pre-clear percentage excludes artificial and highly modified

Great Artesian Basin and Other Regional Aquifers water resource planning area wetland extent change by habitat
Habitat 2021 area
(ha)
2019 area
(ha)
2017 area
(ha)
2013 area
(ha)
2009 area
(ha)
2005 area
(ha)
2001 area
(ha)
Total 3,736,014 3,736,335 3,736,633 3,737,153 3,737,656 3,738,581 3,738,473
Mangroves - Casuarina 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mangroves - other 193,533 193,533 193,533 193,533 193,530 193,530 193,530
Salt marsh and salt flats 500,874 500,874 500,879 500,882 500,885 500,885 500,885
Arid and semi-arid saline lake 460,573 460,604 460,604 460,604 460,604 460,605 460,605
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake 25,766 25,766 25,766 25,766 25,766 25,766 25,766
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake 116 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake 3,129 3,130 3,130 3,130 3,130 3,130 3,130
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake 4,931 4,931 4,931 4,931 4,931 4,931 4,930
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake 1,007 1,007 1,007 1,007 1,007 1,007 1,007
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp 79,796 79,926 79,926 79,887 79,887 79,946 79,966
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp 99,729 99,764 99,791 99,819 99,823 99,985 99,992
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp 1,372,171 1,372,173 1,372,178 1,372,182 1,372,186 1,372,187 1,372,196
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 82,149 82,147 82,148 82,151 82,151 82,153 82,203
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp 128,928 129,008 129,126 129,173 129,252 129,322 128,953
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp 129,713 129,796 129,818 129,837 129,843 130,017 130,339
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp 179,987 180,048 180,104 180,149 180,194 180,283 180,503
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp 2,820 2,820 2,820 2,826 2,842 2,842 2,281
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp 37 37 37 37 37 37 37
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 212,968 212,970 212,988 212,995 213,068 213,084 213,166
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp 258 258 258 258 258 258 258
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 122,133 122,133 122,133 122,135 122,135 122,140 122,141
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp 5,872 5,873 5,873 5,918 5,986 6,013 6,022
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp 32,681 32,693 32,739 33,024 33,081 33,386 33,438
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp 92,800 92,802 92,803 92,867 93,016 93,031 93,082
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp 3,973 3,973 3,973 3,973 3,973 3,973 3,973
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid 29 29 29 29 29 29 29
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal 40 40 40 40 40 40 40
Mangroves - Casuarina (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mangroves - Casuarina (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Mangroves - other (natural) 193,533 193,533 193,533 193,533 193,530 193,530 193,530
Mangroves - other (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Salt marsh and salt flats (natural) 500,874 500,874 500,879 500,882 500,885 500,885 500,885
Salt marsh and salt flats (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (natural) 460,312 460,343 460,343 460,343 460,353 460,354 460,354
Arid and semi-arid saline lake (slightly modified) 261 261 261 261 251 251 251
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (natural) 25,741 25,741 25,741 25,741 25,741 25,741 25,741
Arid and semi-arid floodplain lake (slightly modified) 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
Arid and semi-arid permanently inundated lake (slightly modified) 116 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (natural) 2,703 2,708 2,708 2,708 2,708 2,708 2,708
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain lake (slightly modified) 425 421 421 421 421 421 421
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain rock lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (natural) 4,931 4,931 4,931 4,931 4,931 4,931 4,930
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (window) lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain sand (perched) lake (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (natural) 1,007 1,007 1,007 1,007 1,007 1,007 1,007
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain soil lake (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (natural) 79,102 79,231 79,232 79,193 79,193 79,252 79,272
Arid and semi-arid saline swamp (slightly modified) 694 694 694 694 694 694 694
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (natural) 97,355 97,390 97,418 97,446 97,450 97,475 97,482
Arid and semi-arid floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 2,374 2,374 2,374 2,373 2,373 2,510 2,510
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 1,371,876 1,371,878 1,371,883 1,371,887 1,371,891 1,371,892 1,371,902
Arid and semi-arid floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 295 295 295 295 295 295 295
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 81,053 81,051 81,052 81,055 81,055 81,057 81,107
Arid and semi-arid floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 1,096 1,096 1,096 1,096 1,096 1,096 1,096
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (natural) 127,651 127,731 127,849 127,895 127,985 128,055 127,687
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain tree swamp (slightly modified) 1,277 1,277 1,277 1,277 1,266 1,266 1,266
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (natural) 128,329 128,412 128,434 128,452 128,459 128,633 128,954
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain shrub swamp (slightly modified) 1,384 1,384 1,384 1,384 1,384 1,384 1,384
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (natural) 177,115 177,176 177,232 177,277 177,322 177,411 177,673
Arid and semi-arid non-floodplain grass, sedge and herb swamp (slightly modified) 2,872 2,872 2,872 2,872 2,872 2,872 2,830
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 1,122 1,122 1,122 1,128 1,212 1,212 1,328
Arid and semi-arid other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 1,699 1,699 1,699 1,699 1,631 1,631 953
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (natural) 30 30 30 30 30 30 30
Arid and semi-arid Great Artesian Basin fed spring swamp (slightly modified) 7 7 7 7 7 7 7
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 212,688 212,690 212,708 212,716 212,790 212,815 212,899
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 280 280 280 280 278 269 267
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 258 258 258 258 258 258 258
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 121,555 121,555 121,555 121,558 121,558 121,563 121,598
Coastal and sub-coastal non-floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 577 577 577 577 577 577 542
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (natural) 5,075 5,076 5,075 5,119 5,206 5,272 5,284
Coastal and sub-coastal other non-floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 797 797 797 799 779 741 738
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (natural) 29,910 29,922 30,044 30,362 30,447 31,005 31,057
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain tree (Melaleuca and Eucalypt) swamp (slightly modified) 2,771 2,771 2,695 2,661 2,635 2,382 2,380
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (natural) 91,071 91,088 91,089 91,476 91,555 91,567 91,642
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain grass, sedge, and herb swamp (slightly modified) 1,729 1,714 1,714 1,391 1,461 1,464 1,440
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (natural) 3,973 3,973 3,973 3,973 3,973 3,973 3,973
Coastal and sub-coastal floodplain wet heath swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal other floodplain swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (natural) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Coastal and sub-coastal tree (palm) swamp (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (natural) 29 29 29 29 29 29 29
Unknown - Swamp - Arid and semi-arid (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (natural) 40 40 40 40 40 40 40
Unknown - Swamp - Coastal and sub-coastal (slightly modified) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Disclaimer

Areas do not include marine or estuarine waters but do include estuarine wetland vegetation
(e.g. mangroves and tidal flats).

All statistics are approximate and generated based on data transformed to a customised Albers equal-area projection, thus allowing wetland extent change for different regions of Queensland to be comparable.

Areas may change over time as mapping approaches improve.

Totals may not match the sum of individually displayed figures due to the rounding of displayed figures.

Australian Land Use and Management Classification (ALUMC) metadata

Great Artesian Basin and Other Regional Aquifers water resource planning area land use
ALUMC code and description Area (ha) % total area
Total 122,248,552 100.0%
2.1 Grazing native vegetation 98,584,550 80.6%
2.1.0 Grazing native vegetation 98,584,550 80.6%
1.1 Nature conservation 6,583,683 5.4%
1.1.1 Strict nature reserves 25,188 0.0%
1.1.3 National park 5,891,698 4.8%
1.1.4 Natural feature protection 81,407 0.1%
1.1.5 Habitat/species management area 10 0.0%
1.1.7 Other conserved area 585,380 0.5%
1.2 Managed resource protection 5,949,649 4.9%
1.2.0 Managed resource protection 2,761,550 2.3%
1.2.5 Traditional indigenous uses 3,188,099 2.6%
6.5 Marsh/wetland 4,544,733 3.7%
6.5.0 Marsh/wetland 1,881,329 1.5%
6.5.1 Marsh/wetland - conservation 27,564 0.0%
6.5.2 Marsh/wetland - production 2,635,840 2.2%
3.3 Cropping 2,236,127 1.8%
3.3.0 Cropping 2,204,399 1.8%
3.3.1 Cereals 540 0.0%
3.3.3 Hay and silage 345 0.0%
3.3.4 Oilseeds 140 0.0%
3.3.6 Cotton 30,704 0.0%
2.2 Production native forests 1,891,313 1.5%
2.2.0 Production native forests 1,891,313 1.5%
6.1 Lake 968,699 0.8%
6.1.0 Lake 947,993 0.8%
6.1.1 Lake - conservation 17,503 0.0%
6.1.2 Lake - production 3,203 0.0%
1.3 Other minimal use 502,298 0.4%
1.3.0 Other minimal use 72,298 0.1%
1.3.1 Defence 8,265 0.0%
1.3.2 Stock route 30 0.0%
1.3.3 Residual native cover 421,680 0.3%
1.3.4 Rehabilitation 24 0.0%
4.3 Irrigated cropping 364,337 0.3%
4.3.0 Irrigated cropping 169,514 0.1%
4.3.1 Irrigated cereals 96 0.0%
4.3.3 Irrigated hay and silage 1,059 0.0%
4.3.6 Irrigated cotton 193,668 0.2%
6.3 River 154,041 0.1%
6.3.0 River 150,655 0.1%
6.3.1 River - conservation 3,366 0.0%
6.3.3 River - intensive use 20 0.0%
6.2 Reservoir/dam 113,463 0.1%
6.2.0 Reservoir/dam 94,440 0.1%
6.2.1 Reservoir 869 0.0%
6.2.2 Water storage - intensive use/farm dams 18,029 0.0%
6.2.3 Evaporation basin 125 0.0%
5.4 Residential and farm infrastructure 108,950 0.1%
5.4.0 Residential and farm infrastructure 626 0.0%
5.4.1 Urban residential 14,148 0.0%
5.4.2 Rural residential with agriculture 8,469 0.0%
5.4.3 Rural residential without agriculture 71,463 0.1%
5.4.4 Remote communities 1,213 0.0%
5.4.5 Farm buildings/infrastructure 13,032 0.0%
3.2 Grazing modified pastures 48,077 0.0%
3.2.0 Grazing modified pastures 12,624 0.0%
3.2.2 Woody fodder plants 35,454 0.0%
5.8 Mining 34,607 0.0%
5.8.0 Mining 23,304 0.0%
5.8.1 Mines 5,787 0.0%
5.8.2 Quarries 4,092 0.0%
5.8.3 Tailings 1,103 0.0%
5.8.4 Extractive industry not in use 321 0.0%
4.5 Irrigated seasonal horticulture 31,415 0.0%
4.5.0 Irrigated seasonal horticulture 28,391 0.0%
4.5.3 Irrigated seasonal vegetables and herbs 2,818 0.0%
4.5.4 Irrigated turf farming 206 0.0%
5.5 Services 30,351 0.0%
5.5.0 Services 1,066 0.0%
5.5.1 Commercial services 2,074 0.0%
5.5.2 Public services 4,083 0.0%
5.5.3 Recreation and culture 22,299 0.0%
5.5.4 Defence facilities - urban 248 0.0%
5.5.5 Research facilities 580 0.0%
5.7 Transport and communication 24,983 0.0%
5.7.0 Transport and communication 5,561 0.0%
5.7.1 Airports/aerodromes 10,243 0.0%
5.7.2 Roads 8,773 0.0%
5.7.3 Railways 146 0.0%
5.7.4 Ports and water transport 24 0.0%
5.7.5 Navigation and communication 235 0.0%
6.6 Estuary/coastal waters 19,550 0.0%
6.6.0 Estuary/coastal waters 19,550 0.0%
3.1 Plantation forests 14,157 0.0%
3.1.0 Plantation forests 10,385 0.0%
3.1.1 Hardwood plantation forestry 3,733 0.0%
3.1.2 Softwood plantation forestry 39 0.0%
5.2 Intensive animal production 8,317 0.0%
5.2.0 Intensive animal production 135 0.0%
5.2.1 Dairy sheds and yards 692 0.0%
5.2.2 Feedlots 2,766 0.0%
5.2.3 Poultry farms 2,056 0.0%
5.2.4 Piggeries 958 0.0%
5.2.5 Aquaculture 248 0.0%
5.2.6 Horse studs 1,004 0.0%
5.2.7 Saleyards/stockyards 454 0.0%
5.2.8 Abandoned intensive animal husbandry 4 0.0%
3.6 Land in transition 6,286 0.0%
3.6.0 Land in transition 1,837 0.0%
3.6.2 Abandoned land 15 0.0%
3.6.3 Land under rehabilitation 4,434 0.0%
4.4 Irrigated perennial horticulture 6,142 0.0%
4.4.0 Irrigated perennial horticulture 2,909 0.0%
4.4.1 Irrigated tree fruits 577 0.0%
4.4.2 Irrigated olives 1,460 0.0%
4.4.4 Irrigated vine fruits 821 0.0%
4.4.5 Irrigated shrub berries and fruits 21 0.0%
4.4.6 Irrigated perennial flowers and bulbs 5 0.0%
4.4.7 Irrigated perennial vegetables and herbs 116 0.0%
4.4.8 Irrigated citrus 231 0.0%
4.2 Grazing irrigated modified pastures 5,416 0.0%
4.2.0 Grazing irrigated modified pastures 4,981 0.0%
4.2.1 Irrigated woody fodder plants 312 0.0%
4.2.3 Irrigated legume/grass mixtures 123 0.0%
5.3 Manufacturing and industrial 4,538 0.0%
5.3.0 Manufacturing and industrial 3,950 0.0%
5.3.1 General purpose factory 3 0.0%
5.3.2 Food processing factory 7 0.0%
5.3.3 Major industrial complex 11 0.0%
5.3.4 Bulk grain storage 199 0.0%
5.3.5 Abattoirs 204 0.0%
5.3.6 Oil refinery 76 0.0%
5.3.7 Sawmill 76 0.0%
5.3.8 Abandoned manufacturing and industrial 12 0.0%
5.6 Utilities 3,652 0.0%
5.6.0 Utilities 24 0.0%
5.6.1 Fuel powered electricity generation 280 0.0%
5.6.4 Solar electricity generation 5 0.0%
5.6.5 Electricity substations and transmission 164 0.0%
5.6.6 Gas treatment, storage and transmission 3,098 0.0%
5.6.7 Water extraction and transmission 81 0.0%
6.4 Channel/aqueduct 2,890 0.0%
6.4.0 Channel/aqueduct 2,890 0.0%
3.4 Perennial horticulture 2,479 0.0%
3.4.0 Perennial horticulture 2,241 0.0%
3.4.1 Tree fruits 136 0.0%
3.4.2 Olives 9 0.0%
3.4.3 Tree nuts 39 0.0%
3.4.4 Vine fruits 54 0.0%
4.1 Irrigated plantation forests 2,291 0.0%
4.1.0 Irrigated plantation forests 2,291 0.0%
5.9 Waste treatment and disposal 1,255 0.0%
5.9.0 Waste treatment and disposal 339 0.0%
5.9.1 Effluent pond 158 0.0%
5.9.2 Landfill 261 0.0%
5.9.3 Solid garbage 210 0.0%
5.9.5 Sewage 286 0.0%
5.1 Intensive horticulture 202 0.0%
5.1.0 Intensive horticulture 191 0.0%
5.1.2 Shadehouses 9 0.0%
5.1.5 Abandoned intensive horticulture 2 0.0%
3.5 Seasonal horticulture 99 0.0%
3.5.0 Seasonal horticulture 99 0.0%
4.6 Irrigated land in transition 4 0.0%
4.6.1 Degraded irrigated land 4 0.0%

Wildlife

Kingdom
Class
Native Introduced Wetland
indicator
species
Rare or
threatened
species
All
TOTAL 11,606 1,125 962 613 12,737
Animals 1,882 47 417 182 1,929
Mammals 202 20 8 41 222
Birds 638 12 101 71 650
Reptiles 473 2 43 45 475
Amphibians 95 1 35 8 96
Lobe-finned fishes 1 0 1 1 1
Ray-finned fishes 122 8 129 6 130
Cartilaginous fishes 6 0 6 2 6
Insects 322 4 94 4 326
Malacostracans 9 0 0 1 9
Branchiopods 1 0 0 0 1
Arachnids 5 0 0 0 5
Snails 8 0 0 3 8
Bacteria 63 0 0 0 63
Chromists 119 0 0 0 119
Fungi 1,452 2 0 0 1,454
Plants 8,086 1,076 545 431 9,168
Protozoans 4 0 0 0 4

Note: Wildlife statistics are based on information that has been submitted to the DETSI WildNet database and converted to a 10km² grid. The grid information has been intersected with the mapping polygons to determine the species lists. Click here to view the species grid metadata.

Information from WildNet can also be accessed via Wildlife Online and WetlandMaps.

Rare or threatened includes species listed as extinct, extinct in the wild, critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable or conservation dependent under either the Nature Conservation Act or Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

Disclaimer: While every care is taken to ensure the accuracy of this product, the Queensland Government and Australian Government make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, reliability, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose and disclaim all responsibility and all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages (including indirect or consequential damage) and costs which might be incurred as a consequence of reliance on the product, or as a result of the product being inaccurate or incomplete in any way and for any reason.

AreaType-water-resource-planning-area

This page should be cited as:

Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2013) Great Artesian Basin and Other Regional Aquifers water resource planning area — facts and maps, WetlandInfo website, accessed 8 May 2025. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/facts-maps/water-resource-planning-area-great-artesian-basin-and-other-regional-aquifers/

Queensland Government
WetlandInfo   —   Department of the Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation