This month the NSW Government’s Geological Survey of NSW will conduct the two airborne geological surveys in the Yathong region – one airborne electromagnetic survey (AEM) and an airborne magnetic radiometric (AMR) survey – to expand the state’s understanding of groundwater in the Yathong region.
The surveys will help identify potential deep groundwater or areas with the potential to store water, in times of surplus.
Data will be acquired over the north-eastern end of the Yathong-Ivanhoe Trough. This area is closest to a major town, Cobar, which has been susceptible to droughts and water shortages.
The airborne surveys will provide detailed geoscientific information that will be used to map the geology of the area.
It is so important that we know, especially in times of drought, where to source much-needed water. Having this technology available means we can help landholders in Yathong to plan ahead by essentially making their future drought proof.
The aircrafts will fly approximately 70 to 80 metres above ground from 23 April 2023. The AEM survey will take about 2 weeks to complete and the AMR survey completed within 2-3 months, weather permitting.
Thank you to the Yathong community for their understanding during this period.
Landholders and local communities have been notified and a hotline is available to respond to any enquiries on 1800 960 522.
For more information and an interactive map with survey progress go to regional.nsw.gov.au/groundwater