About us

The Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security (DEPWS) was established by the Northern Territory Government on 8 September 2020.

This new department combined the functions of the previous Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Parks and Wildlife Commission from the former Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture (DTSC).

The government established the department to combine many of the key functions that foster and protect the environment and natural resources in the Northern Territory (NT).

This includes water, land resource management, environmental issues and the parks and wildlife functions.

DEPWS has the following divisions:

• Bushfires NT
• Environment
• Flora and Fauna
• Parks and wildlife
• Rangelands
• Water data portal
• Water Resources
• Weed Management

The department has two ministers, one CEO and operates in various locations in the NT.

Strategic plan

DEPWS Strategic Plan 2021-2024 PDF (2.4 MB)

Annual reports

2019-20 Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Annual Report

Our Minister

Hon Eva Lawler

Hon Selena Uibo

Our management

CEO Jo Townsend

Our boards and committees

View a listing of the departments boards and committees.