Development opportunities

A soil and land suitability assessment is currently underway on 46,250ha of pastoral land along the Barkly Stock Route Road.

Once completed, a report and maps will be generated that document the soil and land factors likely to impact irrigated agricultural development and highlight the crops most suited to the study area.

View survey location on NR Maps.

View a larger version of the Barkly North locality map.

In 2017-18 the Department of Environment and Environment and Natural Resources undertook a soil and land suitability assessment on Aboriginal Lands in the Beswick area.

Of the 1,160ha surveyed, 265ha were identified as versatile land suited to a range of irrigated agricultural cropping options.

Information regarding groundwater resources in this area are available from the Daly Basin Groundwater Resource Assessment: North Mataranka to Daly Waters report.

Structural and floristic vegetation characteristics were recorded throughout the study area, summary descriptions are presented within the Soil and Land Suitability Assessment report.

View survey location on NR Maps.

View a larger version of the Beswick locality map.

The soil and land suitability assessment investigated 59,980ha in the Dunmarra area to assist the potential development of irrigated agriculture in the vicinity.

The land resource mapping and crop suitability framework have identified 14,831ha of versatile lands suitable for irrigating a range of crops, with a further 10,396ha occupied by lands that are suitable for a limited range of irrigated agricultural activities.

View the survey location on NR Maps.

View a larger version of the Dunmarra locality map.

A soil and land suitability assessment for East Arnhem is currently underway with a report expected to be published late 2020.

View survey location on NR Maps.

Contact

For further information contact rangelands@nt.gov.au

View a larger version of the East Arnhem locality map.

In June 2020 the Department of Environment and Environment and Natural Resources completed a project to provide an integrated overview of the land capability, water availability and biodiversity assets of the Gunn Point area.

This project provides confidence about the biophysical resources and a baseline of information to inform investment decisions and effective regulatory decisions.

View a larger version of the Gunn Point locality map.

A soil and land suitability assessment and biodiversity assessment for Katherine is currently underway with reports due to be published late 2021.

Integrating these products with the Katherine Tindall Limestone Aquifer (2019-2024) Water Allocation Plan will provide a comprehensive overview of the biophysical resources within the Katherine Town Plan area.

The project will guide future land planning decisions and inform future investment decisions within the community.

View the survey location on NR Maps.

View a larger version of the Katherine locality map.

In 2015-16 the Department of Environment and Environment and Natural Resources undertook a soil and land suitability assessment on lands owned by Kurnturlpara and Warumungu Aboriginal Land trusts, locally known as Frewena.

Of the 17,232ha surveyed, 2,490ha were identified as moderate capability land and approximately 14,450ha as land of marginal capability.

An additional 400ha of the moderate capability land was further assessed with approximately 118ha identified as suitable for irrigated agricultural.

The Kurnturlpara and Warumungu Aboriginal Land overlay two main aquifers within the Georgina Basin.

The 2019 Georgina Basin Groundwater Assessment: Daly Water to Tennant Creek identifies the Gum Ridge Formation as a regional scale fractured and karstic aquifer and the Anthony Lagoon Formation, which overlies the Gum Ridge Formation, as numerous stratified intermediate scale, fractured and karstic aquifers.

The Gum Ridge Formation has the best potential for irrigation supplies due to its potential for high yields, shallower bores while the Anthony Lagoon Formation has potential for small-scale irrigation supplies. Groundwaters in the Basin range from fresh to saline but are generally fresher and more suitable for irrigation on the Basin margins. Detailed investigations of the suitability of the local water quality on soil types and the crops to be irrigated are recommended before any major irrigation projects are proceeded with.

The Kurnturlpara and Warumungu Aboriginal Lands are not within a Water Control District or subject to a Water Allocation Plan. Therefore production bores within these lands do not require a bore construction permit and only require an extraction license if they are equipped to supply >15l/s.

View a larger version of the Kurnturlpara and Warumungu Aboriginal Land Trusts locality map.

Two soil and land suitability investigations have been undertaken by the Department of Environment and Environment and Natural Resources.

The first survey was conducted in 2014-15 assessing 42,650ha approximately 5kms north east of Larrimah, referred to as the Larrimah area assessment.

The second investigation was conducted in 2018 assessing a further 5,930ha on crown lands surrounding the Larrimah township, referred to as the Larrimah Town assessment.

The two study areas combined identified 24,180ha of land being potentially suitable for a range of irrigated crops.

A Daly Basin groundwater resource assessment was completed in December 2015.

This assessment sought to gather information which would improve the understanding of the Tindall Limestone Aquifer underlying the region.

View the survey location on NR Maps.

View a larger version of the Larrimah locality map.

A soil and land suitability assessment for Flying Fox Station is currently underway with a report expected to be published late 2020.

A survey of the soils of the upper Roper floodplains was conducted in 1976 assessing the suitability of the alluvial plains on Moroak Station for irrigation.

View the survey information on NR Maps.

View a larger version of the Lower Roper locality map.

A soil and land suitability assessment for Nhulunbuy is scheduled to be undertaken late 2020.

View the survey location on NR Maps.

Contact

For further information contact rangelands@nt.gov.au

View a larger version of the Nhulunbuy locality map.

In 2014 the Department of Land Resource Management undertook a land suitability assessment, water resource investigation and flora and fauna evaluation in north east Bathurst Island to develop baseline information of the bio-physical resources.

The study area included 14,100ha of terrestrial land and an additional 4,700ha of intertidal environments. A total of 6,000ha were surveyed as moderately suitable for a range of crops with availability of water being a limiting factor in determining the extent and type of crops productive and economically viable.

The biodiversity assessment identified seventeen flora and fauna species listed as threatened under Northern Territory and Australian Government legislation.

Four of these species are widespread in areas assessed as suitable for agriculture.

Investors interested in development opportunities on the Tiwi Islands should contact the Land Development Corporation on 08 8944 0909.

View a larger version of the North East Bathurst Island locality map.

In 2016-17 the Department of Environment and Environment and Natural Resources undertook a soil and land suitability assessment on a portion of Hugh River Valley within Orange Creek Station.

This was part of a wider program to identify and promote areas of soil, land and water resource assets with potential for irrigated agriculture on pastoral, crown, private and Indigenous Lands.

Of the 1,664ha surveyed, 680ha were identified as high capability land and 422ha as land of moderate capability.

Crop type suitability findings indicate between 71ha and 87ha of land is suitable for irrigated agriculture with only minor limitations. A further 1,043 to 1,130ha is considered suitable land with moderate limitations.

In 2018-19 a preliminary assessment of groundwater storage in the Cambrian Carbonate Aquifers was undertaken.

These aquifers represent the most productive aquifers at Orange Creek Station that would be accessed by any irrigation development referred to in the soil and land suitability assessment.

View a larger version of the Orange Creek locality map.

In 2015-16-the Department of Environment and Environment and Natural Resources undertook a soil and land suitability assessment for irrigated agriculture in the Tennant Creek West area.

The investigation was undertaken in collaboration with pastoral lessees and Traditional Owners – 30km to 65kms west of Tennant Creek.

The project investigated 57,855ha of Aboriginal land and pastoral lease.

A total of 47,200ha of which was identified as high capability land and 7,320ha classified as having moderate capability.

The land suitability assessment identified approximately 48,000ha having potential to support field crops, hay/forage, and row crops, and 42,500ha for tree crops.

No water resource assessments have been conducted for this area. However, bore pump test results for bores drilled on Puwarinji Outstation in 1985 indicated very limited potential for groundwater supply.

View the survey location on NR Maps.

View a larger version of the Tennant Creek West locality map.

In 2016-17-the Department of Environment and Environment and Natural Resources undertook a soil and land suitability assessment for irrigated agriculture in the Ti Tree area.

The project investigated 13,563ha of private and Aboriginal land and identified more than 10,000ha suitable for a range of irrigated agricultural crops.

The investigation area is within the Ti Tree Water Control District where water extraction for irrigation purposes is subject to the Ti Tree Water Allocation Plan 2020-2030.

View a larger version of the Ti Tree locality map.

In 2016-17 the Department of Environment and Natural Resources under took a soil and land suitability assessment for irrigated agriculture in the Nangu Area, south of Wadeye.

The investigation was undertaken with support of traditional owners.

The investigation covers an area of 6,010ha and has identified more than 5,030ha of versatile land suited to a range of irrigated agricultural cropping options, including native species such as Kakadu Plum.

View a larger version of the Wadeye locality map.

In 2015-16 the Department of Environment and Natural Resources under took a soil and land suitability assessment in the Ali Curung area in parallel with a review of the Western Davenport water allocation plan.

The soil and land suitability assessment investigated 47,610ha across pastoral and Indigenous land, and identified more than 43,840ha of land suitable for a range of irrigated agricultural crops.

The current water allocation plan identifies an Estimated Sustainable Yield for groundwater of 168,405ML/year, with 30,000 ML/year allocated to the environment and non-consumptive cultural use and 138,405ML/year available to be shared amongst consumptive users.

In recognition of growing interest to undertake further irrigated horticultural development in the Western Davenport area further studies are underway to better understand groundwater availability and biodiversity assets in the area.

Improved mapping of depth to groundwater and knowledge of existence and requirements for protection of groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs) are required to inform water allocation decisions and provide confidence in long term water availability.

More extensive mapping of the soil and land capability is also required to support development expansion.

A desktop soil and land suitability assessment, biodiversity and GDE surveys and groundwater drilling in the area are currently underway to address these knowledge gaps with analyses and reports due to be published late 2021.

Integrating these products will provide a comprehensive overview of the biophysical resources within the area and inform development of a new Western Davenport Water Allocation Plan due 2021.

View a larger version of the Western Davenport locality map.

In 2015 the Department of Land Resource Management undertook a soil and land suitability investigation for irrigated agriculture in the Wildman River region.

Of the 34,304ha surveyed:

• 8,994ha was assessed as high class land for irrigated agriculture and
• 15,000 ha having high to moderate land capability.

Complementing this work, a water resource assessment was completed in 2016.

Complementing this work, a water resource assessment was completed in 2016 identifying two main aquifers in the study area, a shallow palaeovalley aquifer within the southern Mesozoic/Cenozoic strata and the deeper Koolpinyah Dolostone aquifer.

The Estimated Sustainable Yield from the palaeovalley aquifers is 2,000ML/yr and 4,000ML/yr from the Dolostone aquifer.

View a larger version of the Wildman River locality map.