Sydney Metropolitan Western Study Area Hydrogeological Landscapes March 2011 First Edition

The Hydrogeological Landscape (HGL) concept provides a structure for the understanding of how salinity manifests itself in the landscape and how differences in salinity are expressed across the landscape. A HGL spatially defines areas of similar salt stores and pathways for salt mobilisation. The process of HGL determination relies on the integration of a number of factors: geology, soils, slope, regolith depth, and climate; an understanding of the differences in salinity development; and the impacts (land salinity/salt load/water electrical conductivity) in landscapes. Information sources such as soils maps, site characterisation, salinity site mapping, hydrogeological conditions and surface and groundwater data are combined to develop standard templates for each HGL. The focus of this package is the Sydney Metropolitan Western Study Area. It comprises four volumes - Volume 1: project background, regional setting, methodologies, interpretations, conclusions, glossary and references; Volume 2: HGL templates, and information associated with the use of the HGL templates; Volume 3: maps and digital spatial data developed for the project, including derivative maps to assist in land management decision making; and Volume 4: background information relevant to land management for rural and urban salinity in the Sydney Metropolitan Western Study Area. This includes information on salinity management from the perspectives of land use design, scales and types of management, landscape function, management strategies, actions and outcomes, as well as land use to be avoided.