How does the Great Artesian Basin support livestock in Queensland?

The Great Artesian Basin is a vital resource for livestock in Queensland, particularly in the state's vast inland plains where surface water is often unreliable, seasonal, or low in volume.12

Because of these water constraints, the basin provides a dependable supply of artesian water accessed through deep boreholes, which average about 1,600 feet (500 metres) in depth across the state. This water is primarily utilized to support the state's extensive livestock grazing industry, which is a major component of Queensland's agricultural economy.321

The distribution of this water to livestock is managed through:
* Open earth channels: Traditional methods of moving water across grazing lands.3
* Plastic tubing: A more modern approach used to improve efficiency and reduce water loss.3

While the basin is essential for pastoral farming, the water is limited in both quantity and quality, and significant amounts are historically lost to evaporation and seepage. Consequently, a major rehabilitation project has been underway since 1989 to improve the sustainability of the aquifer and modernize water distribution.31