Managing water in partnership with Territorians
The Department is calling for community members interested in water management, to provide advice to the department and the Minister, on the values (social, cultural and economic values) of the water resources in their area.
The department is currently advertising expressions of interest for membership for three new water advisory committees being established across the Territory.
Do you want to get involved in how water is managed in the Territory? One of the ways is through the water advisory committees that provide advice to the Minister on the development and implementation of water allocation plans. If you live in or know community members in the Daly River, Ti Tree and Alice Springs regions please submit your interest by Tuesday 27 August.
Water advisory committees are established and maintained ongoing where plans are being developed or implemented to inform social, cultural, and environmental values.
Expressions of interest opens on Tuesday 30 July 2024.
If you are interested, please visit the relevant water advisory committee page to view the terms of reference that has all the information about the committees roles and responsibilities, remuneration and an example of the meeting schedule.
A brief summary of each of what each of the water advisory committees and the plan areas that they will be providing advice on, are listed below.
Alice Springs Water Advisory Committee
The Alice Springs Water Control District covers an area of 10,040km2 with the current Alice Springs Water Allocation Plan 2016-2026 covering 4,528 km2.
Alice Springs is the second largest population centre in the Northern Territory, outside of Greater Darwin, with a residential population of 25,000, of which 20% are Aboriginal.
There are six water management zones with in the plan area with surface and groundwater resources interconnected which supports mainly the public water supply for Alice Springs with the plan objectives to maintain the public water supply, ensure sustainable development, protect the environment and recognise the Aboriginal culture and community values.
The committee will be appointed for a 4 year term and provide advice on the development of a new Alice Springs water allocation plan and its implementation from 2026 onwards.
More information and the submission form will be available on Tuesday 30 July 2024 by visiting depws.nt.gov.au/alicespringswac
Ti Tree Water Advisory Committee
The Ti Tree Water Control District and Water Allocation Plan 2020-2030 covers an area of 14,071km2.
This important resource supports stock and agriculture as well as the town of Ti Tree, which is approximately 300km north of Alice Springs and 300km south of Tennant Creek. The resources supports a population of around 1,000 people with various communities and outstations including: Nturiya, Pmara Jutunta, Wilora, Alyuen, Adelaide Bore and Mulga Bore (Angula); on irrigation farms including Ti Tree Farms and Territory Table Grapes; at Aileron, Pine Hill, Woodgreen and Stirling Station pastoral properties; and on the Ahakeye Aboriginal Land Trust.
There are 3 groundwater management zones to help manage the resource effectively which total an estimated sustainable yield of 10,200 megalitres per year that support 14 licences for agriculture and an additional 3 licences for public water supply.
The committee will be appointed for a 4 year term and provide advice on the mid-term review of the Ti Tree Water Allocation Plan 2020-2023, its implementation actions and the development of a new plan before 2029.
More information and the submission form will be available on Tuesday 30 July 2024 by visiting depws.nt.gov.au/titreewac
Daly River Water Advisory Committee
The Daly River Water Advisory Committee will have various responsibilities as the department intends to combine 3 plan areas into one new Daly River Water Allocation Plan, to come into effect from 2029 onwards including:
- Oolloo Dolostone Aquifer Water Allocation Plan 2019-2029
- Katherine TIndall Limestone Aquifer Water Allocation Plan 2019-2024
- The Flora plan, which is in the planning stages.
By combining these plans, the department and the committee will be able to apply integrated water management solutions to ensure a holistic approach ensuring water security for Territorians and the environment.
The Daly River Water Advisory Committee will be responsible for:
- Conducting the mid-term review of the Oolloo Dolostone Aquifer plan by November 2024
- Implementation of the Oolloo plan
- Implementing the Katherine plan from 2026 onwards
- Developing the new Daly River Water allocation plan including the other areas from 2029 onwards
More information and the submission form will be available on Monday, 30 July 2024 by visiting depws.nt.gov.au/dalyriverwac
How to apply
To submit an expression of interest for any of these water advisory committees, go to the relevant water advisory web page and complete the expression of interest form.
You can submit the form by:
Mail to:
Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security
Water Advisory Committee Secretariat
PO Box 496
Palmerston NT 0831
Or via email to:
Submissions must be received before 4pm on Tuesday 27 August 2024.
