Geomorphology: The evolution of Victorian landscapes
- Authors: Joyce, Edmund , Webb, John , Dahlhaus, Peter , Grimes, Ken , Hill, Stephen , Kotsonis, Andrew , Martin, John , Mitchell, Mel , Smith, Bart , Jenkin, J. , Neilson, J , Orr, Meredith , Peterson, J. , Rosengren, N. , Rowan, Jim , Rowe, R. , Sargeant, Ian , Stone, Timothy , White, Susan
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Geology of Victoria Chapter p. 533-561
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
Hydropedology, geomorphology and groundwater processes hold the keys to land degradation - case studies in SW Victoria, Australia
- Authors: MacEwan, Richard , Dahlhaus, Peter , Fawcett, Jonathon
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at 18th World Congress of Soil Science, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA : 9th-15th July 2006
- Full Text: false
- Description: Soil is the component in the landscape along with land use management and vegetation that determines all the partitioning of water balance components that affect surface hydrology (runoff to waterways and wetlands) and recharge to groundwater. Most soil and land degradation processes are hydrologically driven or depend on hydrological conditions. Conceptual models and quantification of erosion processes (wind erosion is a result of lack of moisture), land salinisation, acidification, nutrient loss and impacts of nutrient movement, all require an understanding of the role of hydrology specific to the landscape under consideration. In Australia, salinity is a major problem for agriculture in irrigated and rainfed (‘dryland agriculture) land and has significant economic impacts in urban areas too. A general water balance approach has been used to conceptualise the processes and the problem. Large scale clearing of treed landscapes in favour of annual crops and pastures has been seen as the major change in the water balance of Australian landscapes since settlement. This change in vegetation and water use is frequently cited as the most significant factor in causing land salinisation, which is attributed to increase in groundwater recharge, mobilisation of salts, groundwater rise and discharge. We provide three case studies for landscapes that require quite different conceptual models and all of which are in some degree counter to the developed conventional wisdom regarding increased salinity. These case studies illustrate the importance of developing an appropriate conceptual model of hydrological processes in the ‘critical zone', in particular for implementation of policy and practice in land management. Case 1. South Eastern Dundas Tablelands, Victoria. In this landscape the apparent degradation of land by salinity is the result of changed hydrological conditions but has not resulted from increased groundwater discharge or increased salt accumulation. We have evidence that groundwater recharge and discharge have not increased since clearing of the landscape during European settlement. Laboratory hydrological studies in large diameter cores from soil and regolith, interpretation of redoximorphic features and functional horizons in the field and analysis of historical records of streamflow support this hypothesis. We also show that the degradation of salt affected areas is due to fluctuating waterlogging and drying of the soil causing cyclic redox conditions and changes in soil chemistry. Case 2. Dissected Coastal Plain, Victoria. In this landscape, slowly permeable marine clay overlain by coastal sand deposits provides a classic ‘layer cake' picture of differentially permeable material. The unconsolidated nature of the clays and the relatively deep dissection that exists presents a landslide prone landscape and one that also shows the effects of salting in low areas. In this region we show that upward pressure from a deep (200 m) confined freshwater aquifer maintains saturation in the marine clay and that waterlogging, landslides and salinity result from hydrological dynamics of the upper few metres of regolith and soil. Evidence has been collected from field survey, groundwater studies, geotechnical measurements and regolith mineralogy. Case 3. Granite Uplands, Victoria. In this landscape we have interpreted redoximorphic features of functional horizons and measurement of shallow groundwater salinities in a toposequence. Our conceptual model is of a regional saline groundwater system discharging in springs relatively high in the landscape. We show the role of shallow throughflow of water in the soil in spreading salt from these point sources, simultaneously diluting the effect of salinity in local drainage lines but increasing the area of salt affected land upslope from the drainage lines. In each case study area we have been compelled to develop an understanding that fits the landscape realities. We have used empirical observations and interpretation of soil morphology, regolith and groundwater characteristics, laboratory studies, soil chemistry and hydro-chemistry to support our work. We stress the importance of this approach integrating the sciences of hydrology, pedology, chemistry and geology in coming to appropriate conclusions about land degradation processes, especially if we are to advise on land management investment and policy to tackle degradation.
- Description: 2003002070
Geological hazards: Hidden dangers for construction
- Authors: Neilson, J. , Peck, W. , Wood, P. , Dahlhaus, Peter , Miner, Anthony , Brumley, J. , Kenley, P. , Wilson, R. , Willman, C. , Rowan, J.
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Geology of Victoria Chapter p. 573-591
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: 2003000625
Groundwater flows & groundwater - surface water interactions in the Corangamite CMA region
- Authors: Dahlhaus, Peter , Barton, Andrew , Cox, Jim , Herczeg, Annette
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Regolith 2006: Consolidation and Dispersion of Ideas Chapter p. 377-384
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) region occupies an area of 13,340 km2 in southwestern Victoria, and consists of four major river basins, namely Moorrabool River, Barwon River, Lake Corangamite and Otway Coast. The region is of high economic value to the State with much of the land supporting agricultural and forestry industries.
- Description: B1
- Description: 2003002067
Beyond hydrogeologic evidence : Challenging the current assumptions about salinity processes in the Corangamite region, Australia
- Authors: Dahlhaus, Peter , Cox, Jim , Simmons, Craig , Smitt, C. M.
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Hydrogeology Journal Vol. 16, no. 7 (2008), p. 1283-1298
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: In keeping with the standard scientific methods, investigations of salinity processes focus on the collection and interpretation of contemporary scientific data. However, using multiple lines of evidence from non-hydrogeologic sources such as geomorphic, archaeological and historical records can substantially add value to the scientific investigations. By using such evidence, the validity of the assumptions about salinity processes in Australian landscapes is challenged, especially the assumption that the clearing of native vegetation has resulted in rising saline groundwater in all landscapes. In the Corangamite region of south-west Victoria, salinity has been an episodic feature of the landscapes throughout the Quaternary and was present at the time of the Aboriginal inhabitants and the first pastoral settlement by Europeans. Although surface-water salinity has increased in some waterways and the area of salinised land has expanded in some landscapes, there is no recorded evidence found which supports significant rises in groundwater following widespread land-use change. In many areas, salinity is an inherent component of the region's landscapes, and sustains world-class environmental assets that require appropriate salinity levels for their ecological health. Managing salinity requires understanding the specific salinity processes in each landscape. © Springer-Verlag 2008.
Coastal rock fall hazard identification, Barwon Heads, Victoria
- Authors: Dahlhaus, Peter , Muller, B. , Miner, Anthony
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Geomechanics Journal Vol. 41, no. 3 (2006), p. 85-91
- Full Text:
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003002060
The impact of landslides and erosion in the Corangamite region, Victoria, Australia
- Authors: Dahlhaus, Peter , Miner, Anthony , Feltham, W. , Clarkson, Troy
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at the Geological Society of London 2006, Nottingham, United Kingdom : 6th September, 2006
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Corangamite region in southwest Victoria, Australia is subject to a variety of geohazards, among which landslides and erosion have the most significant impact. Over the past fifty years, landslides have resulted in loss of life and many millions of dollars damage to municipal infrastructure and development. Soil erosion by water and wind has also impacted on the region's waterways and environment, threatening a diverse range of assets from urban water quality to Ramsar-listed wetlands. More assets are placed at risk each year, as the increasing regional population results in an acceleration of anthropogenic modifications to landscapes. A comprehensive GIS database was initiated by assembling all publicly available previous databases and reports documenting landslides and erosion in the 1,340 km2 region. New data were added by mapping occurrences which were visible on high-resolution ortho-corrected aerial photographs. The field-checking of the occurrences was assisted by the participation of the local community, municipal officers and catchment management coordinators. At present 2163 landslides and 2380 erosion sites have been identified, mapped and referenced in the database. It is believed that thousands more instances exist, but these cannot be identified at the aerial photo scale, or are obscured by dense vegetation. A spatial analysis has been undertaken to identify landscape parameters which correlate with the occurrences. Historical aerial photography was used in selected locations to identify the rates of erosion and landslide events. The inventory has been used to estimate the economic, social and environmental costs of landslides and soil erosion within the region, using documented instances of damage and the costs of remediation. Combined with the value of the assets and elements at risk, the potential likelihood of occurrence and associated consequences, these estimates are used to develop a strategy for the investment of public funds in remediation.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003002058
Groundwater-level response to land-use change and the implications for salinity management in the West Moorabool River catchment, Victoria, Australia
- Authors: Dahlhaus, Peter , Evans, Timothy , Nathan, Erica , Cox, Jim , Simmons, Craig
- Date: 2010
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Hydrogeology Journal Vol. 18, no. 7 (2010), p. 1611-1623
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The connection between the removal of native vegetation, rising water tables and increasing stream salinity has been established for many catchments across Australia. However, the West Moorabool River in south west Victoria is an example of a catchment where there has been little discernable effect on groundwater levels following land clearing. Over the past 150 years, a significant portion of the catchment has been cleared of dense forest for agricultural development. Historic standing water-level records from 1870-1871 and 1881 are compared with contemporary measurements (1970s to 2007) recorded in the government bore databases. The data show that the earliest recorded groundwater levels are well within the seasonal range of values observed today. By integrating geology and hydrogeology with historical observations of groundwater levels, climate data and land use, the contemporary field observations of stream salinity are linked to the changed water use and shift in rainfall. In contrast to the normally accepted axiom, reafforestation as a management strategy to mitigate the rising salinity in the West Moorabool River catchment would seem inappropriate. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.
- Description: The connection between the removal of native vegetation, rising water tables and increasing stream salinity has been established for many catchments across Australia. However, the West Moorabool River in south west Victoria is an example of a catchment where there has been little discernable effect on groundwater levels following land clearing. Over the past 150 years, a significant portion of the catchment has been cleared of dense forest for agricultural development. Historic standing water-level records from 1870-1871 and 1881 are compared with contemporary measurements (1970s to 2007) recorded in the government bore databases. The data show that the earliest recorded groundwater levels are well within the seasonal range of values observed today. By integrating geology and hydrogeology with historical observations of groundwater levels, climate data and land use, the contemporary field observations of stream salinity are linked to the changed water use and shift in rainfall. In contrast to the normally accepted axiom, reafforestation as a management strategy to mitigate the rising salinity in the West Moorabool River catchment would seem inappropriate. © 2010 Springer-Verlag.
Spatial infrastructure, information access and knowledge building
- Authors: Thompson, Helen , MacLeod, Andrew , Dahlhaus, Peter
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Conference proceedings
- Full Text: false
- Description: Most decisions involve a spatial component, though few people realise its significance (Williamson & Wallace, 2006). Recent advances in web-based geographical information systems (GIS) are bringing the spatial component to the forefront. As a result new opportunities are available for getting decision useful information and data into an environment where it can be shared with and accessed by organisations and members of the general public (Geomatic Technologies, 2008). This paper explores the emerging area of web-based GIS and its impact. Barriers which often limit spatial information access and knowledge building are identified. Recent advances in spatial infrastructure are introduced. A potential model for stimulating the dissemination and use of spatial information is presented. Early implementation activities and associated results are detailed. Future work and parallel research focussed on establishing the value and contribution of spatial information to regional planning outcomes are then briefly described. Copyright © 2008 COSI.
- Description: 2003006851
Corangamite Soil Health Knowledge Base
- Authors: Thompson, Helen , Dahlhaus, Peter , MacLeod, Andrew , McKenna, Kirsten
- Type: Text , Dataset
- Full Text: false
- Description: The Corangamite Corangamite soil health knowledge base is part of an interoperable web-GIS maintained by Federation University Australia. The Corangamite soil health knowledge base is a collaborative research project between the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CMA) and the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation (CeRDI) at Federation University Australia (FedUni). The aim of the research is to develop a comprehensive, informative, intuitive-to-use knowledge base of soil health information that will assist the broader community to respect the values of the soils of the Corangamite region. The project was initiated in June 2013. The research is overseen by the Corangamite CMA Land Health Program Steering Committee. The role of the committee in the project is to advise on the function, use and relevance of the data and information sources in the knowledge base, which is an online repository of soil health information and knowledge: including reports, research papers, maps and descriptions related to current and past soil series mapping, land capability and suitability assessments, agricultural trials, and soil research and investigations. Soil health studies in the Corangamite region date from 1936. The most recent document to revisit soil health issues in the Corangamite region is Soils Vision: A 20-year plan to improve broad-acre agricultural soils in south west Victoria, known as the 'south west agricultural soils plan' (SWASP). This community-led initiative brought together a collaboration of farming groups, agricultural industries, government agencies and research institutions to identify the activities required to improve the condition of soils used for agriculture in South West Victoria. The goal of this project is to provide the essential background knowledge required to implement the appropriate SWASP soil health actions customised for each of the 15 Local Catchment Plans in the Corangamite region. Project aim and research questions The overall aim this project is to develop a comprehensive, informative, intuitive-to-use knowledge base of soil health information that will assist the broader community implement the SWASP within the LCPs of the Corangamite region. To achieve this, the following key questions emerge: What information exists and how relevant is it to the current soil health issues? How reliable is the information and to which landscapes does it apply? How can the relevant soil health information be best maintained and disseminated?
Visualising Ballarat
- Authors: Thompson, Helen , Dahlhaus, Peter
- Date: 1850-
- Type: Text , Technical report
- Full Text: false
- Description: Visualising Ballarat is an ongoing project, currently in the early stages of development. It employs a collaborative research approach for developing state-of-the-art knowledge management and planning tools which will empower various community sectors to understand the urban landscape, recognise cultural significance, and assess and monitor change. It proposes a staged approach to a long-term research project that will result in web-based spatial information systems, which include 3-dimensional and 4-dimensional visualisations together with augmented reality experiences of past, present and future Ballarat city landscapes. In September 2013, Ballarat was the first Australian city to join an international pilot program to implement UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Historic Urban Landscape (HUL). This recognises the role that urban heritage plays as a social, cultural and economic asset in the development of cities. The HUL program vision is to help Ballarat grow without compromising its heritage; by providing a road map on how to address change without losing Ballarat’s character. At the core of the HUL approach are the community's values, which are the starting point for city management. Hence, there is a need to map these values effectively and have all of Council referencing them as a starting point to city development. It is envisaged that Visualising Ballarat will have a much broader appeal than HUL, extending through a full range of uses - from the utilitarian, such as locating old mine workings and landfill sites - to the esoteric, such as immersive augmented reality experiences of historical places or events. The key component is to provide the community, practitioners, researchers and industry with place-based information on demand, and hence encourage a deeper understanding, consideration and appreciation of the city's historic urban landscape values. Federation University Australia's eresearch and digital innovation capability is being utilised to federate HUL information, data and databases to facilitate access to historic urban landscape information. The developing web-based portal will provide easy access to authoritative and credible heritage information for city managers, developers, planners, researchers, communities of interest, groups and agencies wishing to engage in HUL program activities. It will promote the sharing of knowledge and information, allowing people to gain insights, present ideas, advice and information in a friendly and easy-to-use format, available at people’s convenience. It allows the City of Ballarat citizens to grow their knowledge and share their thoughts and enthusiasm for their city's historic urban landscape. In that sense, the website is deliberately aimed in part at supporting ratepayers, citizens and community groups to feel connected and supported in their heritage interests. The longer-term intention is to encourage the generation of research ideas and projects with other collaborators, locally to globally. This discussion paper outlines a collaborative approach which can be regarded as a blueprint for research that will assist the City of Ballarat and Federation University Australia in achieving their shared goals. The proposed research is founded on the 144-year old relationship between the organisations that has resulted in a substantial repository of regional knowledge. Online liberation of this information, together with that held in the other knowledge repositories of long-standing Ballarat institutions, has the potential to provide new insights into the urban landscapes of this historic city. This visualisation, which is stage 1 of the Historic Urban Landscapes Project, starts the process of bringing together community activities, research and data from government, academics and other sources. It includes: A mapping interface that brings together historic and new data about Ballarat's history and landscape Connections to research on Ballarat's history and landscape and the Historic Urban Landscape approach to managing Ballarat A place for researchers to have an internet 'home' for their projects Connections to existing community activities on Ballarat's heritage and landscape Links into the international 'historic urban landscape' community. This is done through the collection and mapping of data which includes historic landscape imagery, heritage places, parks and gardens, natural landscape and character areas, geological features, community infrastructure and a range of regulatory planning tools and administrative boundaries. This visualisation is part of an interoperable web-GIS maintained by the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation(CeRDI) at Federation University Australia (FedUni).
Geohazard risk management for municipal planning in the Corangamite region, Victoria, Australia
- Authors: Dahlhaus, Peter , Miner, Anthony
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Paper presented at The 10th international congress of the IAEG, Nottingham, UK : 6th September, 2006
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Corangamite region covers an area of approximately 13,340 km2 and is located in south western Victoria, Australia. The population of approximately 400,000 persons is growing at 5.2% per year, and is served by nine municipalities within the region. The region's diverse range of landscapes and climatic conditions, result in a variety of geological hazards including landslides, soil erosion of all forms, coastal erosion, dryland salinity, potential acid sulphate soils, reactive soils and ground subsidence. These geohazards are increasingly recognised as a constraint on future urban development and a threat to the economic, social and environmental health of the region. Evaluation of the impacts of geological hazards by State government authorities, research institutions and consultants has been inconsistent, both in hazard identification and risk assessment methods. As a result, municipal planning authorities have lacked a consistent framework with which to assess the potential impacts from these hazards and those associated with new developments which may interact with the hazards. The use of risk assessment techniques for the management of landslides in Australia advanced significantly after the publication of the Australian Geomechanics Society's landslide risk management concepts and guidelines in 2000. These guidelines in turn were based on the Australian/New Zealand Standard on Risk Management. Similar risk management techniques have now been developed by the authors for the assessment of soil erosion and salinity for particular use by municipalities within the Corangamite region. A brief review of the nature and extent of landslides, salinity and erosion in the Corangamite region is detailed. The adopted methods of the risk management for each geohazard are described including a comparison of their applicability and an assessment of limitations with each method.
- Description: E1
- Description: 2003002055
Implementing the AGS landslide risk management guidelines in a municipal planning scheme : A case study in the Colac Otway Shire, Victoria
- Authors: Dahlhaus, Peter , Miner, Anthony
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Geomechanics Journal Vol. 37, no. 2 (2002), p. 199-211
- Full Text:
- Description: 2003003866
SWIFFT: State Wide Integrated Flora and Fauna Teams
- Authors: Dahlhaus, Peter , Milne, Robert , MacLeod, Andrew
- Type: Text , Dataset
- Full Text: false
- Description: SWIFFT is a combined initiative between the community, conservation, education and government sectors.It aims to advance citizen science through facilitating awareness, information and knowledge sharing in relation to biodiversity and threatened species across Victoria and south-eastern Australia. SWIFFT actively encourages contributions from members of the community, conservationists, field naturalists, farmers, land carers, researchers, scientists, management agencies and environmental consultants. SWIFFT is a place for community members to share projects, activities, outcomes, current events and ideas, and to access information from experts in their field. It is also a place to share images of biodiversity projects, species and habitats or go to find out about these things - helping to build a more informed community. SWIFFT is part of an interoperable web-GIS maintained by the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation(CeRDI) at Federation University Australia (FedUni). Project aim: Key aims of SWIFFT are to build community awareness and understanding of biodiversity and threatened species through sharing information about biodiversity or threatened species projects. Sharing project information can: assist others undertaking similar projects, or those considering starting a project provide opportunities to link science/research with projects increase community understanding and support for biodiversity and threatened species
A geochemical approach to determining the hydrological regime of wetlands in a volcanic plain, south-eastern Australia
- Authors: Cox, Jim , Barton, Annette , Herczeg, Andrew , Dahlhaus, Peter
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Book chapter
- Relation: Groundwater and Ecosystems : IAH Selected papers on Hydrogeology p. 69-79
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Corangamite region in south-eastern Australia contains a large number of lakes and wetlands within an extensive, basaltic plain. To assess the impact of land-use change and groundwater pumping on wetland ecosystems, there is a need to develop a better understanding of their hydrology. This paper describes an approach using groundwater and surface water chemistry and stable isotopes to determine the extent that they are surface or groundwater dominant, and whether they are through-flow or terminal in nature. The ionic ratio HCO3-/Cl- is higher in surface waters than groundwater, and lakes plot on a continuum between these two water types. Deuterium “excess” (
The implementation of the AGS guidelines in the Colac Otway Shire – history and challenges
- Authors: Marsden, P , Miner, Anthony , Dahlhaus, Peter
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian geomechanics Vol. 46, no. 2 (June 2011), p. 211-218
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Australian Geomechanics Society's (AGS) guidelines on Landslide Risk Management emphasise landslide zonation as a key requirement for regulators dealing with landslide risk (AGS 2007a). The basis for zonation is a landslide inventory which reflects the nature and spatial distribution of landslide types in a particular locale, such as a local government area. This paper describes the design and implementation of a web-based landslide database for south west Victoria aimed at disseminating landslide inventory information to regulators, consultants and the general public. Although the 4,581 mapped landslides represent the most complete and extensive data set for the region, the current data quality and resolution does not meet the AGS guideline for landslide zonation at the municipal planning scale. However, with an essential need for landslide planning controls in this region, the data is the best available for the construction of zonation maps, resulting in conservative boundaries at the required map scale. The paper highlights the ongoing need to improve the spatial extent and quality of the landslide database if the statutory planning zonation maps are ultimately to comply with the AGS guidelines.
Interpretation and misinterpretation of warning signage : Perceptions of rockfalls in a naturalistic setting
- Authors: Aucote, Helen , Miner, Anthony , Dahlhaus, Peter
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Psychology, Health and Medicine Vol. 17, no. 5 (2012), p. 522-529
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The aim of the present study was to investigate the factors relating to non-adherence to warning signs about falling rocks from coastal cliff faces. Face-to-face interviews (n=62) in a naturalistic setting (in the vicinity of a high-risk rockfall area) were conducted to investigate attention to and comprehension of warning signs, as well as beliefs relating to non-adherence of the signage. It was found that, while most participants could correctly identify the danger in the area and had noticed the warning signage, less than half of the participants could correctly interpret the signage. The perception of danger did not differ significantly between the participants who had, or had not, entered the high-risk zone. Differences in knowledge and beliefs between local residents and visitors to the area were identified. It was concluded that the warning signs did not provide enough detail for people to make informed decisions about safe behaviours. Comprehension of the signage may have been hampered by a lack of prior-knowledge of the particular risk, a failure to think carefully about the situation (i.e. low-effort processing), and the pictorial representation on the signs misleading the participants as to the true danger. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
Grampians Natural Disaster Research
- Authors: Thompson, Helen , Dahlhaus, Peter , Greymore, Michelle , Courvisanos, Jerry , Sheil, Helen , Ollerenshaw, Alison , McDonald, Kelsey , Corbett, Jennifer
- Type: Text , Dataset
- Full Text: false
- Description: The Grampians is located approximately 220km west of Melbourne and is accessible via the major towns of Halls Gap and Dunkeld. The Grampians National Park covers approximately 168,110ha and is listed on the Australian Heritage Database National Heritage List and other localities in the Grampians are listed on the Register of the National Estate, which testifies to the significance of the landform and its attraction as a tourism destination. In January 2011, heavy rains in the Grampians triggered more than 190 landslides, some of which were up to 3km long and caused considerable damage to private property, roads, walking tracks and public infrastructure in the region. The Halls Gap Community Safety Committee commissioned a geotechnical assessment which concluded that the majority of the landslides were debris flows triggered by 1 in 100 year rainfall. In February 2011 and as a consequence of the January 2011 flooded sections of Halls Gap were evacuated due to heavy rain and the predicted threat of landslides impacting on parts of the town. Although the rain did not eventuate, the evaluated communities reported concern about the social and financial impact of the evacuations. In response to these landslide events in the Grampians National Park, Federation University Australia was engaged by Northern Grampians Shire to investigate the social, economic and environmental impact of the events, which resulted in significant impact to the environment and communities surrounding the Park. The Grampians Natural Disaster Research website is part of an interoperable web-GIS maintained by the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation(CeRDI) at Federation University Australia (FedUni). Project aim: The overall objective of the Grampians Natural Disaster Research project is to document the environmental, economic and social impacts of the 2011 flood and landslide events as they impacted on individuals, businesses and community organisations, and representatives from government and non-government organisations (including emergency services organisations closely involved with the disaster management response to the 2011 floods in the Grampians region), and to integrate these into a consolidated inventory. To achieve this, the following key questions emerged: 1. What was the social impact (perceived and actual) of the 2011 event on communities in the Grampians, especially Halls Gap 2. What were the short and long term impacts (environmental, social and economic) of this event on these communities? 3. What was the actual impact (environmental, social and economic) on the communities as perceived by local and regional agencies (government)? 4. How could disaster management processes reduce the social and economic impact of any natural disaster event in the future, for this region? This research will provide a greater understanding of the impact of the Grampians natural disaster on communities directly impacted by the floods and landslides. The results may be used to inform appropriate risk and emergency services management strategies to minimise the impact of such events on communities in the future. This information can be used for future disaster management and planning in the Grampians region, and beyond, where many communities around the state require informed disaster management in response to climate change. Project partners: Northern Grampians Shire Council, Ararat Rural City Council, Horsham Rural City Council, VicRoads, Parks Victoria, Southern Grampians Shire Council, Country Fire Authority, and with support from the State Emergency Service and Federation University Australia.
- Description: The Grampians is located approximately 220km west of Melbourne and is accessible via the major towns of Halls Gap and Dunkeld. The Grampians National Park covers approximately 168,110ha and is listed on the Australian Heritage Database National Heritage List and other localities in the Grampians are listed on the Register of the National Estate, which testifies to the significance of the landform and its attraction as a tourism destination. In January 2011, heavy rains in the Grampians triggered more than 190 landslides, some of which were up to 3km long and caused considerable damage to private property, roads, walking tracks and public infrastructure in the region. The Halls Gap Community Safety Committee commissioned a geotechnical assessment which concluded that the majority of the landslides were debris flows triggered by 1 in 100 year rainfall. In February 2011 and as a consequence of the January 2011 flooded sections of Halls Gap were evacuated due to heavy rain and the predicted threat of landslides impacting on parts of the town. Although the rain did not eventuate, the evaluated communities reported concern about the social and financial impact of the evacuations. In response to these landslide events in the Grampians National Park, Federation University Australia was engaged by Northern Grampians Shire to investigate the social, economic and environmental impact of the events, which resulted in significant impact to the environment and communities surrounding the Park. The Grampians Natural Disaster Research website is part of an interoperable web-GIS maintained by the Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation(CeRDI) at Federation University Australia (FedUni). Project aim: The overall objective of the Grampians Natural Disaster Research project is to document the environmental, economic and social impacts of the 2011 flood and landslide events as they impacted on individuals, businesses and community organisations, and representatives from government and non-government organisations (including emergency services organisations closely involved with the disaster management response to the 2011 floods in the Grampians region), and to integrate these into a consolidated inventory. To achieve this, the following key questions emerged: 1. What was the social impact (perceived and actual) of the 2011 event on communities in the Grampians, especially Halls Gap? 2. What were the short and long term impacts (environmental, social and economic) of this event on these communities? 3. What was the actual impact (environmental, social and economic) on the communities as perceived by local and regional agencies (government)? 4. How could disaster management processes reduce the social and economic impact of any natural disaster event in the future, for this region? This research will provide a greater understanding of the impact of the Grampians natural disaster on communities directly impacted by the floods and landslides. The results may be used to inform appropriate risk and emergency services management strategies to minimise the impact of such events on communities in the future. This information can be used for future disaster management and planning in the Grampians region, and beyond, where many communities around the state require informed disaster management in response to climate change. Project partners: Northern Grampians Shire Council, Ararat Rural City Council, Horsham Rural City Council, VicRoads, Parks Victoria, Southern Grampians Shire Council, Country Fire Authority, and with support from the State Emergency Service and Federation University Australia.
A web-GIS and landslide database for South West Victoria and its application to landslide zonation
- Authors: Dahlhaus, Peter , Miner, Anthony , MacLeod, Andrew , Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian geomechanics Vol. 46, no. 2 (2012), p. 203-209
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Australian Geomechanics Society's (AGS) guidelines on Landslide Risk Management emphasise landslide zonation as a key requirement for regulators dealing with landslide risk (AGS 2007a). The basis for zonation is a landslide inventory which reflects the nature and spatial distribution of landslide types in a particular locale, such as a local government area. This paper describes the design and implementation of a web-based landslide database for south west Victoria aimed at disseminating landslide inventory information to regulators. consultants and the general public. Although the 4,581 mapped landslides represent the most complete and extensive data set for the region, the current data quality and resolution does not meet the AGS guideline for landslide zonation at the municipal planning scale. However, with an essential need for landslide planning controls in this region, the data is the best available for the construction of zonat ion maps, resulting in conservative boundaries at the required map scale. The paper highlights the ongoing need to improve the spatial extent and quality of the landslide database if the statutory planning zonation maps are ultimately to comply with the AGS guidelines.
Stable isotopes as indicators of water and salinity sources in a southeast Australian coastal wetland: Identifying relict marine water, and implications for future change
- Authors: Currell, Matthew , Dahlhaus, Peter , Ii, Hiroyuki
- Date: 2015
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Hydrogeology Journal Vol. 23, no. 2 (2015), p. 235-248
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Lake Connewarre Complex is an internationally protected wetland in southeast Australia, undergoing increasing environmental change due to urbanisation. Stable isotopes of water (