The department includes the key functions that foster and protect the environment and natural resources in the Northern Territory. Find out more
Website under review
Following the change in government, the information on this website is being reviewed.
For parks information, go to the Department of Tourism and Hospitality website.
What we are doing
Sharing innovative ways to protect the Northern Territory’s water resources
Water Resources Division unveils innovative work that uses advanced satellite data and machine learning to detect groundwater-dependent ecosystems (GDE) at the Advancing Earth Observation Forum 10-12 September 2024 in Adelaide. This provides a method for mapping probability of GDE using remotely sensed data across our vast landscape and presents the Territory’s achievements in machine learning and matrix modelling.
Compliance inspections in Ti Tree and Western Davenport
Water Resources Division inspected over 50 bores in the Ti Tree and Western Davenport regions during annual compliance inspections in September 2024.
Commercial building registrations
On 15 April 2024, commercial building contractor registrations (restricted and unrestricted) were introduced requiring all new buildings in the Northern Territory to have a registered building practitioner.Registering building practitioners ensures they have the appropriate qualifications and experience to build specific buildings, gives confidence to consumers and reinforces trust in the local building industry.
Second meeting for the Adelaide River water advisory committee
The Adelaide River water advisory committee held their second meeting on at the start of October. The committee are providing advice and local perspective to the department as the Adelaide River water allocation plan is developed.
Best practice regulation on display during NT Resources Week
Environmental regulators presented at Resources Week in the NT and met with delegates from the Indonesian Government Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.
Water in the Bush 2024 program filled to the brim with presentations and award winners
Department of Lands, Planning and Environment staff attended the Australian Water Association’s 35th Water in the Bush conference in Darwin. They gave presentations on the Territory Water Plan, law reform, regulation, managed aquifer recharge and water efficiency. Our people and projects were also recognised for their achievements taking home two awards at the 2024 NT Water Awards Night Dinner.
Splashfest 2024
Splashfest is an annual event run by the Royal Lifesaving Association as part of Water Safety Week (15 – 21 September 2024).
Water Resources wins research and development award at Australian Water Awards
As the Northern Territory’s premier annual water conference, the Strategic Regional Environmental and Baseline Assessment (SREBA) water studies took the Research and Development Award for 2024. It is the second award in 12 months for the SREBA, which focused specifically on the water studies work led by Water Resources.
Widespread water monitoring in September
Water Monitoring staff were out and about collecting important water data across the Territory over the last week of September.
Weed Management Branch hosts Charles Darwin University students
Weed Management Branch recently hosted Charles Darwin University students studying their Certificate III in Conservation and Ecosystem Management.
Siam Weed Update October 2024
As of October 2024, Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) is known to be present at over 150 sites across 15 properties in the Northern Territory.
Cultivating a greener future: Weed Management Team inspires knowledge and action at Girraween Primary School’s Field Day 2024
The Weed Management Branch (WMB) engaged students, parents and teachers during the annual Girraween Primary School Field Day on Wednesday 18 September 2024.
Water sampling the springs of the Roper River catchment
During September 2024, water resources were back sampling water across the Roper River catchment.
Assisting CSIRO with field data collection for their hot springs research
CSIRO’s Gas Industry Social and Environmental Research Alliance (GISERA) are undertaking a research project that aims to provide environmental baseline characterisation of the springs in Hot Springs Valley, which is located in an area northeast of the Beetaloo (geological) Sub-basin.
23rd Australasian Weeds Conference
The 23rd Australasian Weeds Conference was held from 25 - 29 August 2024 at the Convention and Exhibition centre in Brisbane.
Bugging the cactus: NT Government launches cholla Bug to combat coral cactus in Tennant Creek
The Northern Territory Government has released the Dactylopius tomentosus "cholla" bug in Tennant Creek to tackle the invasive coral cactus (Cylindropuntia fulgida).
Site inspections to aid in vegetation clearing assessments
The Development Coordination Branch manages the assessment of applications to clear native vegetation in the Northern Territory on pastoral properties and unzoned land, under the Pastoral Land Act 1992 and Planning Act 1999.
Office of Water Security – telling our story
The Office of Water Security (OWS) is a small and dedicated team tasked with leading and coordinating strategic water policy and initiatives to underpin water security for all Territorians.
