11-1
11. Groundwater
The Groundwater Assessment examined the
effects of the Project on groundwater quality,
availability and compliance with the State
Environment Protection Policy (Groundwaters
of Victoria).
There are multiple groundwater aquifers in the
study area, ranging from less than 30 metres
below the surface, to depths of 700 metres.
Only the shallow watertable aquifers are
considered relevant to the Project, as it is
unlikely that any construction or operation
activities would impact on deep aquifers.
Excavation during construction intercepting
shallow groundwater and the requirement to
dewater was the key impact pathway of
concern.
For most of the length of the proposed
duplication alignment, the road would be
constructed above the existing surface level,
requiring fill. In areas where there is shallow
groundwater and the proposed duplication
alignment would be constructed below the
existing surface level, i.e. requiring
excavation, it is possible that groundwater
would be intercepted.
Broad scale mapping produced by DSE/DPI
suggests that there are potential terrestrial
Groundwater Dependant Ecosystems (GDEs)
in the study area. These occur where the
watertable aquifer is close to the ground
surface in low lying areas, such as the
floodplains and morass of Blind Joes Creek
(western outskirts of Rosedale), and also near
prior streams and drainage lines between
Nambrok Creek and the western outskirts of
Kilmany. Impacts to potential GDEs as a result
of dewatering during construction would be
investigated further and managed through
implementation of a groundwater
management plan.
Because the extent of excavation is limited
and the maximum depth of excavation would
be no more than three metres, it is expected
that dewatering during construction would be
limited and associated risks to groundwater,
including impacts to potential GDEs, could be
adequately managed through implementation
of a groundwater management plan.
Depth to the shallow watertable aquifer has
been derived from regional mapping for the
purposes of this assessment. Depth to the
shallow watertable aquifer would need to be
more accurately determined through detailed
investigations to inform the groundwater
management plan. The extent of cut required
for the detailed design may vary from the
current design and this would need to be
considered as well.
Exposure of potential acid sulphate soils was
identified as a risk to groundwater quality,
however appropriate management measures
would reduce this to a low risk.
Effects on recharge/discharge processes were
assessed and, through incorporation of Water
Sensitive Road Design principles, would be
reduced to a low risk.
The risk that preferential groundwater
seepage paths would be created, along the
potentially relocated Gippsland Water
pipelines if groundwater is intercepted, would
be managed through incorporating trench cut
offs which would reduce this to a low risk.
All residual risks of impact to groundwater are
considered to be negligible to low.
The EES evaluation objective relevant to
groundwater is:
To protect catchment values, surface water and
groundwater quality, stream flows and floodway
capacity, as well as avoid impacts on protected
beneficial uses.
This section discusses the groundwater environment
within the project area, including the occurrence and
quality of groundwater. The potential impacts from
the Project on groundwater have been assessed and
proposed management measures have been
identified to minimise these impacts. More
specifically, this section:
Characterises the groundwater in the study area
in terms of location, behaviour, and quality,
including its protected beneficial uses under the
State Environment Protection Policy
(Groundwaters of Victoria).
Identifies potential effects of road construction
and operation activities on groundwater and any
potential effects of groundwater quality on road
construction and integrity.
Identifies measures to avoid, mitigate and
manage any potential effects including any
relevant design features of the road or techniques
for construction.
Identifies residual effects of road construction
and operation activities on groundwater in the
project area.
This section is based on a Groundwater Assessment
Report completed by GHD Pty Ltd (2011d), included
in Appendix F.
11-2

11.1 Legislation and Policy

The legislation and government policies related to groundwater are discussed in Table 11-1.
Table 11-1 Relevant groundwater legislation and government policies
Legislation/Policy Description

Victorian

Extraction, use or disposal of groundwater for the Project would require approval under the Water
Water Act 1989 Act (1989). It is not yet known if this would be required for the Project, and as this would be
confirmed during the detailed design phase of the Project.

The Environment Protection Act 1970 (EP Act) regulates the discharge of emissions to the
groundwater environment by a system of licences and works approvals.
Environment Protection Act Any discharge into groundwater during the construction of the Project would be in accordance with
1970 the requirements of the EP
Act. The requirement for discharging of groundwater would be confirmed by the construction
contractor(s).
The SEPP (Groundwaters of Victoria) sets out segments of groundwater, based on salinity. Each
State Environment Protection segment has beneficial uses that must be protected. The background groundwater quality in the
Policy (Groundwaters of study area is variable, ranging from Segment A through C. The SEPP (Groundwaters of Victoria)
Victoria) specifies that groundwater quality must be protected to preserve the identified beneficial uses.
The Project must not adversely impact on the beneficial uses of the groundwater in the study area.

Consideration of potential ongoing impacts on

11.2 Study Area
The groundwater assessment study area
encompasses the same area as the EES project area
(a corridor extending 100 metres north and south of
the road reserve boundary, widened in some areas
around Flynn and Kilmany, to encompass alignment
options considered). However, the study area also
considers the greater groundwater catchment area
as relevant (refer to Figure 11-1 for the
Groundwater Management Units (GMUs) in proximity
to the Project).
11.3 Methodology
To assess the groundwater environment within the
study area, the following tasks were completed:
Review of existing reports on groundwater in the
study area.
Review of the GMUs in the study area.
Review of existing groundwater bore information
from the State Groundwater Management System
(GMS).
Analysis of the geology of the study area and
examining the relationships aquifers on a local
and regional scale.
Interpretation of processes of groundwater
recharge and discharge, as well as interactions
between surface water and groundwater.
Identification of beneficial uses of groundwater
within the study area.
Participation in environmental risk assessment
process.
Consideration of potential impacts on
groundwater during construction of the Project.
groundwater from the road after construction.
A detailed description of the reports reviewed and
data that was accessed for the groundwater
assessment is included in Appendix F.
11.4 Existing Conditions
11.4.1. Groundwater Depth
Within the study area there are multiple aquifers at
varying levels. In some areas the depth to
groundwater is up to 700 metres, and in other areas
it is much closer to the surface (less than 30 metres
below the surface). It is the shallow aquifers which
are most relevant to the Project as the likelihood of
impacting on the deep aquifers is very remote.
There are four groundwater management units
(GMUs) in the study area: Sale, Denison, Rosedale
and Stratford. These GMUs are designated for
management of the groundwater resources in the
area. Figure 11-1 shows the GMU boundaries in the
study area. Table 11-2 provides a summary of the
GMUs in the study area.
A GMU may be a Groundwater Management Area
(GMA) or a Water Supply Protection Area (WSPA). A
WSPA is an area declared under the Water Act 1989
to protect the groundwater resources through the
development of a management plan. Within WSPAs,
caps or moratoriums on the issue of additional
extraction licenses are often present. An
unincorporated area is a region falling outside of a
GMA or WSPA.
The shallow aquifers between Rosedale and
Traralgon East are outside of a designated GMU, i.e.
unincorporated. This is likely due to the poor quality
of groundwater (due to high salinity) in these areas,
resulting in a lack of groundwater use.
 11-3

Table 11-2 Groundwater Management Units within the study area

GMU Type Depth Limit (metres) Aquifer Comment

Denison WSPA 0 – 25 metres Quaternary Relevant

Likely to be too deep to interact with the

Sale WPSA 25 – 200 metres Boisdale Formation
Project
50 -150 metres (Zone 1)
Latrobe Valley Coal Too deep/outside likely influence of
Rosedale GMA 25 – 350 metres (Zone 2)
Measures Project
200 – 350 metres (Zone 3)

Too deep/outside likely influence of

Stratford GMA >350 metres Latrobe Group
Project

Princes Highway, approaching Flynn’s Creek Road, westbound

11-4

Figure 11-1 Groundwater Management Units

 11-5

11.4.2. Existing Groundwater Use

There are currently 14 licenced groundwater bores
within the study area. These bores are used to
supply irrigation water for dairy farms as well as
other industrial and commercial uses. Figure 11-2
shows the location of these bores.
There is potential for additional, unlicensed
groundwater bores in the study area for purposes
such as stock watering, or domestic use, as an
extraction licence is not required for these uses.

11.4.3. Groundwater Quality

The deep aquifers (greater than 30 metres below the
surface) in the study area are used throughout the
Gippsland Basin region for irrigation and industrial
uses. The salinity of these aquifers is generally low
and below 1,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids (TDS).
The shallow aquifers within the study area (less than
30 metres below the surface) have a salinity level of
between 1,000 mg/L to 4,500 mg/L TDS. Generally,
the higher salinity aquifers are located towards the
eastern and western ends of the study area, as
shown in Figure 11-3.
In the Macalister Irrigation District (MID), located to
the northeast of the study area, Southern Rural
Water operates a public groundwater pump network
of 19 bores. This pump network is used to manage
salinity in the groundwater and prevent land from
water logging and salinisation.
A summary of groundwater quality information from
45 bores within the study area is provided in Flynn’s Creek crossing, looking eastward
Table 11-3.

Table 11-3 Groundwater quality summary from bores within the study area
Analyte Unit Minimum Maximum Average

Total Dissolved Solids mg/L 143 7365 1071.3

Chloride mg/L 55 3900 527.4

Carbonate mg/L 7 23 15.3

Bicarbonate mg/L 0 507 118.6

Total Alkalinity mg/L 68 79 71.75

Sulphate mg/L 1 357 76.5

Nitrate mg/L 0.2 0.7 0.24

Calcium mg/L 2 63 15.75

Magnesium mg/L 1 288 41.85

Sodium mg/L 36 2245 320.8

Potassium mg/L 1 20 5.2

Iron mg/L 0.6 54 11.7

Hardness mg/L 27 1328 211.7

pH pH units 6.62 10.2 7.6

Electrical Conductivity µS/cm 267 12300 1917.3

11-6

Figure 11-2 Existing licenced groundwater bores in the study area

 11-7

Figure 11-3 Groundwater salinity (Watertable Aquifer)

11-8

11.4.4. Beneficial Uses have a groundwater salinity of below 1,000 mg/L

The SEPP (Groundwaters of Victoria) defines
beneficial uses of groundwater, based on the
existing groundwater quality. A summary of the
groundwater segments and corresponding beneficial
uses is provided in Table 11-4. The deep aquifer
systems throughout the Gippsland Basin generally
TDS and commonly below 500 mg/L TDS. These
aquifers are therefore in Segment A. The salinity of
shallow aquifers ranges from less than 1,000 mg/L
(Segment A) to over 4,500 mg/L (Segment C).

Table 11-4 Groundwater beneficial uses for each segment

Segment

A1 A2 B C D
Use
0-500 501-1,000 1,001-3,500 3,501-13,000 >13,000
TDS TDS TDS TDS TDS

Maintenance of ecosystems

Potable water
Desirable

Acceptable

Potable mineral water supply

Agriculture, parks and gardens

Stock watering

Industrial water use

Primary contact recreation (eg. swimming/bathing)

Buildings and structures

Note: TDS had units of mg/L.

11.4.5. Groundwater Dependent
Ecosystems
Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems (GDEs) are
ecosystems that rely on groundwater to meet all or
some of their water requirements. The Department
of Primary Industries (DPI) has completed mapping
of GDEs within the study area. This mapping shows
that there is the potential for GDEs consisting of
vegetation in areas where the groundwater level is
within 10 metres of the surface. Figure 11-4 shows
the DPI mapping of GDEs within the study area.

Princes Highway road reserve, south side, between Traralgon and Flynn
 11-9

Figure 11-4 Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems

11-10

11.5 Impact Assessment 11.5.3. Existing Groundwater Use

The impact and risk assessment presented in the
following Sections were conducted on the proposed
alignment only.
11.5.1. Dewatering
Cuts below water table along the proposed
duplication alignment, requiring dewatering (during
construction and/or operation phases) would
potentially pose the greatest risk to the groundwater
environment. However, less than 10% of the
31 kilometres duplication is proposed to be below
the surface, and much of the cut is proposed to be
less than 2 metres depth. The deepest cut would
approach 3 metres, however even this may not
intersect the watertable or require significant
dewatering. Therefore the likelihood of impact to
groundwater would be low, and the consequences
localised and short-term.
A search of the Victorian Groundwater Management
System identified stock and domestic, and licensed
bores within the study area. An audit of bores prior
to construction would identify other bores not
present on the GMS.
If the Project is likely to impact on a bore (or farm
dam), replacement may be required and would be
subject to consent from Southern Rural Water.
Potential impacts from construction dewatering or
construction water supply activities are likely to be
temporary with the duration dependent upon
construction progress. Mitigation measures would
be available to reduce the risk of construction
dewatering impacts. With increasing distance from
the construction works, the risk of adverse impact to
other groundwater users is low. Ceasing pumping
activities would likely result in groundwater levels
recovering to pre-pumping levels.

11.5.2. Groundwater Quality Dewatering requirements for construction would be

The background groundwater quality in the study confirmed during the detailed design of the Project.
area is variable, ranging from Segment A through C. Groundwater bore locations and operational status
The SEPP (Groundwaters of Victoria) specifies that within the construction corridor would be confirmed
groundwater quality must be protected to preserve prior to construction and landholders would be
the identified beneficial uses. Therefore, the consulted regarding any potential impacts to
potential impacts of the construction and operation groundwater bores.
of the Project must be managed to protect the
existing beneficial uses of the groundwater in the
study area.
It is possible that construction and operational
activities could result in the contamination of
groundwater, impacting on groundwater quality
through:
Spillage, improper handling, storage and
application of hazardous materials during
construction.
Disposal of fluids or waste to groundwater.
Aquifer re-injection to mitigate drawdown and
related impacts, e.g. settlement.
Exposure of acid sulfate soils through dewatering
(refer to Section 10 for discussion of impacts and
mitigation for acid sulfate soils).
Incompatibilities with construction materials, e.g.
leaching from imported backfill.
Establishing hydraulic connection between two
aquifers of differing water quality which were
previously hydraulically isolated.
Spillage, road run-off during operation of the
Project.
The likelihood of these events occurring is low, as
the VicRoads standard environmental management
procedures address these risks. In addition, runoff
generated during operation of the road would be
captured in the road drainage system, largely
preventing the runoff from entering the groundwater Princes Highway near Nambrok Road (‘Nambrok curves’)
environment.

11.5.4. Groundwater Dependant
Ecosystems (GDE)
A GDE requires access to groundwater to meet all or
some of their water requirements. If the availability
of groundwater to a GDE is reduced, there is
potential for the ecosystem to be impacted. GDEs
are most likely to occur near waterways, where
groundwater levels may be nearer to the surface
such as at Sheepwash Creek, Flynns Creek, Blind
Joes Creek and Nambrok Creek, as well as drainage
lines and minor waterways. Some excavation would
be required near these waterways, with bridges to
be constructed over the waterways (except for
Nambrok Creek). The depth of the cut and the
depth of groundwater in these areas is not
accurately known. This would be confirmed during
detailed design and geotechnical testing prior to
construction. Impacts on GDEs from dewatering
activities during construction would be managed
through the development of a Groundwater
Management Plan. As outlined in Table 11-6 the risk
to GDEs from this project is considered negligible as
it is expected that there will be minimal changes to
the groundwater/surface water environment.
11.6 Risk Assessment
An environmental risk assessment was undertaken
on the preferred alignment to identify key
Table 11-5 Groundwater risks
Risk
Impact Pathway
No
Cuts below water table along alignment, requiring
GW1
dewatering (construction and/or operation)
Cuts below water table along alignment, requiring
GW2
dewatering (construction and/or operation)
Cuts below water table along alignment, requiring
GW3
dewatering (construction and/or operation)
Cuts below water table along alignment, requiring
GW4
dewatering (construction and/or operation)
Cuts below water table along alignment, requiring
GW5
dewatering (construction and/or operation)
Cuts below water table along alignment, requiring
GW6 dewatering (construction and/or operation).
Dewatering exposes acid sulphate soils (ASS)
Contamination of groundwater from construction
GW7 activities (e.g. spillage, dust suppression, construction
waste discharge)
Contamination of groundwater from operational
GW8 activities (road runoff, traffic accidents, stormwater,
spillage)
Ponding and retention of water associated with
GW9
highway drainage (operation)
Construction earthworks removing impervious layers
GW10 (across site, floodplains, river crossings and
embankments)
GW11 Project pipelines constructed in saturated materials
11-11
environmental issues associated with the
construction and operation of the Project. The
methodology for this risk assessment has been
described in Section 4.6. A risk assessment report
that explains the process in detail and contains the
complete project risk register has also been included
as Appendix P. The risk assessment was conducted
on the proposed alignment only.
Table 11-5 shows a summary for groundwater of:
The impact pathways identified.
A description of the consequence.
In assessing the impact to groundwater, the
majority of risks associated with the Project have
been assigned a low likelihood of occurring, as much
of the Project would be constructed above the
existing grade and therefore there would be limited
opportunity for direct interaction with the
groundwater environment. Management measures
have been identified to protect and maintain
groundwater availability and quality. Overall, it is
concluded that the risk to the groundwater
environment as a result of the construction and
operation of the Project would be low.
Consequence Description
Dewatering drawdown impact to other groundwater users (e.g.
irrigators, stock and domestic users)
Groundwater dewatering discharge degrades surface water
quality
Dewatering /depressurisation consolidates compressible
materials causing settlement and land instability
Dewatering drawdown adversely affects surface water recharge
and GDEs
Dewatering alters hydraulic gradients resulting in existing
contamination plumes potentially being dislocated/moved
Interruption of existing groundwater remediation efforts
Potential generation of acid plumes/mobilisation of heavy
metals/aggressive groundwater, leading to attack on
submerged steel /concrete structures (piles, services)
Impact to groundwater quality/ breach of SEPP (Groundwater
of Victoria)
Impact to worker safety
Impact to groundwater quality/ breach of SEPP (Groundwater
of Victoria).
New or increased groundwater accessions, altered groundwater
flow patterns, new or exacerbated waterlogging and salinity
impacts
Site recharge enhanced increasing groundwater levels (water
logging, groundwater displacement) and or introducing
contaminants
Preferential groundwater seepage paths created and alter
seepage migration routes
11-12

Risk
Impact Pathway Consequence Description
No

Construction works create impervious ground surface

GW12 Reduced recharge to groundwater system
layers

Alignment of road passes through existing groundwater

bore location [east and west of Kilmany] or severs Requirement to compensate groundwater user, install
GW13 access for stock or irrigation infrastructure replacement bore (observation, stock, irrigation etc.)
Temporary loss of production
Use of groundwater for construction water supply

detail in Section 21. In some instances, additional

11.7 Environmental Management
Measures
VicRoads has a standard set of environmental
management measures which are typically
incorporated into their construction contracts for
road works and bridge works. These measures have
been used as the starting point for the assessment
of construction related risks and are described in
Project specific environmental management
measures have been proposed to reduce risks.
Management measures specific to each identified
groundwater risk, and the residual risk rating after
environmental management measures have been
applied, are outlined in Table 11-6.

Table 11-6 Groundwater environmental management measures and residual risk rating
Risks Residual Risk
Environmental Management Measures
Addressed Rating
VicRoads would conduct pre-construction geotechnical and hydrogeological investigations.
An assessment of groundwater level would be conducted in areas of cut.
A groundwater management plan and monitoring program would be developed and
implemented to address potential impacts to groundwater if encountered. The groundwater
management plan would include controls to prevent erosion and sedimentation associated
with groundwater management.
The construction contractor(s) would evaluate the options and financial implications for
management of waste groundwater in order to demonstrate the application of the waste
hierarchy. Alternative options for management or reuse of saline or potentially
contaminated groundwater may be considered based on EPA Victoria advice at the time of
management / reuse / disposal.
Measures to mitigate groundwater draw down impacts would include:
o Minimise dewatering required by micro-review of gradelines.
o Preconstruction investigations of groundwater (occurrence and quality),
particularly in proposed areas of cut, and establishment of baseline
conditions.
o Detailed design of cuts and ground support. Alteration of the
construction technique to reduce the need for dewatering. A variety of
engineering options are available, e.g. use of sheet piles / contiguous
GW1 piles. Negligible
o Careful design of the dewatering methodology, e.g. multiple closely
spaced bores may create a localized cone of depression.
o Increased construction effort, e.g. reducing the duration over which
dewatering may be required;
o Careful timing of the works to periods where water levels may be at their
lowest.
o Re-injection of the pumped groundwater between the excavation site
and impacted part to impart hydraulic control (aquifer recharge).
o Non-continuous pumping that may allow water level recovery during
pumping quiescence.
o Supplying any affected parties with an alternate water supply, e.g.
carting water, deepening the pump intake setting depth.
o Replacement of existing bores that are adversely impacted by
construction.
o Implementing a groundwater monitoring program.
Sufficient contingency must be incorporated into water treatment plans, monitoring
programs (environmental, safety) to cope with the ingress, management, treatment and
disposal of contaminated groundwater water that may be unexpectedly encountered.
Comply with section 1200.08 Erosion and Sediment Control of the VicRoads contract
GW2 specification. Negligible
As per GW1.
GW3 As per GW1. Low
 11-13

Risks Residual Risk

Environmental Management Measures
Addressed Rating
A site specific investigation would be conducted during detailed design to identify likelihood
of subsidence.
As per GW1.
Contaminated materials would be managed as per the measures for geology and soils risks
G1 to prevent groundwater contamination.
GW4 Negligible
If required, an alternate water supply would be established to maintain environmental
water requirements, e.g. treated stormwater / road drainage could be redirected as a
replenishing or alternate water supply.
As per GW1.
GW5 Contaminated materials would be managed as per the measures for geology and soils risks Negligible
G1, G2, G3 and G4.
As per GW1.
Contaminated materials would be managed as per the measures for geology and soils risks
G1, G2, G3 and G4.
Minimise the dewatering influence near PASS materials (as per GW1).
Soil sampling and laboratory analysis would be conducted as part of the detailed design
GW6 phase confirm the presence of ASS. Low
Groundwater levels and quality would be monitored in all aquifers adjoining PASS materials.
Performance standards and action triggers would be established for:
- implementing remedial actions. Impacted or at risk areas / assets remediation can be
undertaken through pH adjustment, e.g. lime dosing.
- considering the need for artificial recharge.
Comply with section 1200.11 Fuels and Chemicals of the VicRoads contract specification.
GW7 Contaminated materials would be managed as per the measures for geology and soils risks Negligible
G1, G2, G3 and G4.
Contaminated materials would be managed as per the measures for geology and soils risks Negligible
GW8
G1, G2, G3 and G4.
Water Sensitive Road Design measures would be evaluated in the detailed design phase, as
GW9 Low
described in VicRoads Integrated Water Management Guidelines (August 2011).
A groundwater management plan and monitoring program would be developed and
implemented to address potential impacts to groundwater, if encountered.
Earthwork surface finish specifications specified to mitigate enhanced accessions
(preferential pathways for infiltration and groundwater movement).
GW10 Site would be rehabilitated with vegetation / grasses. Negligible
Grading would be conducted for erosion control.
Allowance would be made for subsidence with backfilled excavations.
Temporary access tracks would be removed and ground conditions rehabilitated.
As per GW1.
GW11 Apply pipeline construction measures (trench cut offs- or breakers) that mitigate risk Low
process, if groundwater is encountered.
As per GW1 and GW10.
GW12 Negligible

Confirm of bore locations (and operational status) within construction corridor and conduct
landholder consultation.
Construction groundwater supplies would be from licensed bores and subject to the
GW13 Southern Rural Water approvals process and/or groundwater trading rules / local Negligible
management rules.
Audit of landholders would be conducted of identified water supplies that may be impacted,
e.g. dams or bores.