Western Davenport Water Allocation Plan 2024 - 2027 and Katherine Tindall Limestone Aquifer Water Allocation Plan 2024 – 2026 declared
The Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Security has declared the Western Davenport Water Allocation Plan 2024 - 2027 and Katherine Tindall Limestone Aquifer Water Allocation Plan 2024 - 2026.
Declaring these water plans enables water management to be appropriately tailored to the local context and supports the maintenance of the values associated with each respective water resource.
Western Davenport Water Allocation Plan 2024 - 2027
The Western Davenport Water Allocation Plan 2024 - 2027 was declared on 30 July 2024 and is the fourth plan for the district.
The plan sets out the water that must be protected to ensure ecological functions and environmental requirements of the resource. It defines the water available for allocation and for stock and domestic take by establishing the take of water that is sustainable (known as the estimated sustainable yield). It also sets out management rules for water use, and for trade.
The declared plan has an estimated sustainable yield of 67,700 ML per year, with most of the water available from the largest and most productive groundwater resources in the Central Plains, which holds an estimated 138 million mega litres. The plan recognises the extensive understanding of groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDEs) and protects the majority (70% of GDEs) from development in the area.
Where the water is taken is moderated through water licences that must meet specific limits.
Prior to declaration, the draft plan was released for public comment in 2023, further details on input in the development of the plan are captured in the consultation summary. The consultation summary is available on the Northern Territory Government website.
Katherine Tindall Limestone Aquifer Water Allocation Plan 2024 - 2026
The Katherine Tindall Limestone Aquifer Water Allocation Plan 2024 - 2026 was declared to maintain the existing water management arrangements of the region while a new 10-year plan is developed.
The plan applies to an area including Katherine, Rockhole and Binjari, encompassing nearly 6,000 square kilometres and about 10,000 people. The plan manages the Tindall Limestone Aquifer, which supports important agricultural development in the region and maintains the flows in the Katherine River during the dry season.
The plan will, in effect, extend the previous plan for an additional 18 months providing continuity in water management and enabling water trade, while protecting water for the environment and prioritising water for drinking.
The estimated sustainable yield of 38,391 ML per year remains unchanged and this may be reviewed for the next iteration of the plan. The plan includes minor administrative changes required to meet statutory obligations in the Water Act 1992, in particular the Aboriginal water reserve amendment that occurred after the previous plan was declared in 2019.
An information paper that summarises the changes from the 2019-2024 plan to the 2024-2026 plan is available on the Northern Territory Government website.
