Delivering certainty and security for development stakeholders

27 March 2025

The Finocchiaro CLP Government has introduced two new legislative amendment Bills that will drive certainty and security for stakeholders involved in development.  

Introduced in Parliament today were the Northern Territory Aboriginal Sacred Sites Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 (Sacred Sites Act Amendment Bill) and the Water Amendment (Aboriginal Water Reserves) Bill 2025 (Water Amendment Bill).  

Changes to the Sacred Sites legislation will seek to strengthen sacred site protection and improve efficiency of regulatory processes to support safe and respectful development in the Territory.

The changes will provide for simpler and streamlined approval processes when constructing roads in regional areas and provide certainty for pastoralists.

For example, if a cattle station with an existing authority certificate is sold, that certificate can be transferred to the new owner, ensuring sacred sites remain protected and processes are not being duplicated.

Key amendments include:

• Transferability of authority certificates issued by the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA): Allowing authority certificates to be transferred or updated with a recorded party reduces unnecessary duplication and ensures that any conditions put on a certificate to protect sacred sites also applies to new parties.
• Enforceable undertakings for AAPA: Offering a legally binding alternative to court proceedings, ensuring remediation and stronger compliance through clear timelines and monitoring.
• Clarification of existing practices regarding the composition of the AAPA Board: Formalising existing practices to ensure continued strong representation of Traditional Owners while introducing additional expertise in development, heritage and governance.

Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment Joshua Burgoyne said the amendments were designed to encourage more people to obtain their authority certificates by making the process more accessible, efficient, and protective of sacred sites.

“We are bringing the Act in line with contemporary expectations for both protection and development,” said Mr Burgoyne.  

The Water Amendment Bill will seek to improve efficiency in administration of the Water Act and empower Aboriginal landowners to determine how and who gives consent for a person to apply for a water licence from the reserve.

“This Government respects Aboriginal decision-making practices and decisions. We are removing ourselves from prescribing a process for consent that already exists through existing practices,” said Mr Burgoyne.

“These amendments will provide the ability for Aboriginal landowners to activate water that is allocated to them to drive economic activity in regional communities.”

Media contact: Kia Leonard-Bond - 0492 166 281