Securing our water future

14 October 2022

Territory Labor is fulfilling its election promise to deliver water security for all Territorians now and into the future.

Today the Draft Territory Water Plan has been released for further community input after its development through extensive public and stakeholder engagement.

Ensuring the continuity of safe drinking water for all Territorians is a priority for the NT Government, as is taking action to address climate change risks to water security, including in remote communities.

The plan also focuses on ensuring water is managed and allocated responsibly and highlights the importance of putting a value on water through a charging framework to ensure that industry pays for water they use – not the taxpayer.

It also outlines the need for an independent Controller of Water Resources, a position for which Expressions of Interest are now being sought.

This is the Territory’s first whole-of-government, long-term strategic plan for water security across the Northern Territory, providing a roadmap for strengthening water governance.

The Draft Water Plan is another part of a suite of policies being implemented by Territory Labor to provide comprehensive protection for the environment and address the challenges of climate change.

It completes a recommendation in the Final Report from the Territory Economic Reconstruction Committee and addresses key recommendations of the Pepper Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing.

The Office of Water Security will take a lead role in implementing the Plan, and will report on its progress annually. The Plan will be holistically reviewed every four years.

The Territory Labor Government is determined to ensure an acceptable quantity and quality of water for people, economic opportunities, cultural and environmental flows.

Water is intrinsic to our lifestyle, culture, industry and health – Territory Labor will help protect it.

See the Draft Territory Water Plan here: https://haveyoursay.nt.gov.au/territory-water-plan

Quotes from Minister for Environment, Clime Change and Water Security, Lauren Moss:

“We are the first Territory government to take a long-term view on the need for a secure water future with continued access to safe drinking water as the top priority, especially for our remote areas.

“We need a plan like this to ensure we have clean, healthy water supplies to sustain our environment and ancient cultural values, for our community to live, and for our economic development goals.

“This plan ensures that the future use of water is based on science and on sustainability, and that it reflects the insights, expertise and aspirations of as many Territorians as possible.”

Northern Territory Government