The Great Artesian Basin

The Great Artesian Basin (GAB) is a national treasure, being the world's largest source of fresh, underground water. At around one-quarter the size of Australia in area and underlying most of Queensland, the Great Artesian Basin supplies drinking water to around 200,000 Queenslanders in 22 inland towns. It also supplies water to endangered native ecosystems and to countless industries in regional Queensland, particularly agriculture. Many people are now concerned about the effects of the booming coal seam gas industry which plans to draw massive amounts of water from the basin.