Planning for the Great Artesian Basin
In January 2010 a Water Control District was declared for the Northern Territory portion of the Great Artesian Basin. The Great Artesian Basin (GAB) is the largest underground water reserve in Australia.
It underlies approximately 22% of Australia and 6% of Northern Territory.
The GAB Strategic Management Plan was developed in 2000 with key objectives of encouraging legislative and administrative frameworks for sustainable water management and water use within the GAB.
The Strategic Management Plan was adopted by all governments responsible for GAB management.
Since 2010 water based development within the GAB water control district has been limited to stock and domestic use. The volumes of water being used are negligible and the likelihood of impact on environmental and cultural values considered to be minimal.
A range of monitoring activities are being conducted to gain a better understanding of the groundwater system and groundwater dependent ecosystem water dependencies. This information will inform development of a water allocation plan should demand for water increase in the future.
More information
For more information:
- www.agriculture.gov.au/water/national/great-artesian-basin
- http://www.ga.gov.au/scientific-topics/water/groundwater/gab
Government agencies in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia also have GAB information.
- Qld - https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/mining-energy-water/water/catchments-planning/water-plan-areas/great-artesian-basin
- SA - http://www.naturalresources.sa.gov.au/aridlands/water/water-allocation-plan
- NSW - https://www.water.nsw.gov.au/water-management/catchments-old/great-artesian-basin-old
Reports and publications
Publications
- Summary of past drilling activity within the Great Artesian Basin PDF (2.4 MB)
- Draft Great Artesian Basin (NT) Water Allocation Plan 2013-2023 PDF (5.2 MB)
- Hydrgeology of the GAB in the NT (2013) PDF (2.8 MB)
- Technical Report: Great Artesian Basin Resource Assessment Oct 2012 PDF (5.5 MB)
- Wetlands of the Great Artesian Basin WCD 2011 PDF (5.6 MB)
- GAB (NT) Water Allocation Planning Background Report 2010 PDF (1.2 MB)
- GAB Water Control District 2010 Gazettal PDF (178.8 KB)
- GAB Brochure 2010 PDF (2.9 MB)
- Hydrogeology of the GAB in the NT (1996) PDF (3.4 MB)
- Capping of NT GAB Bores Report (2004) PDF (4.0 MB)
Relevant resources
Maps
The following maps give context to the Great Artesian Basin water planning area:
Announced allocations – current plan (2019-2024)
Read the annual announced allocation (AAA) decisions for the current water allocation plan area:
Read more about announced allocations.
Announced allocations – previous plans (2010 to 2020)
Reports under the 2016-2019 Water Allocation Plan
Read the annual announced allocation decisions for the Tindall Limestone Aquifer, Katherine Water Allocation Plan 2016-2019 PDF (33.6 MB):
- 2019/2020 Announced Allocations Report PDF (1.6 MB)
- 2018/2019 Announced Allocations Report PDF (1.1 MB)
- 2017/2018 Announced Allocation Report PDF (183.2 KB)
- Important Information for the Water Allocation Plan for the Tindall Limestone Aquifer, Katherine – Katherine Railway Bridge/ Low Level Bridge Reporting Site PDF (396.5 KB)
- 2016/2017 Announced Allocation Report PDF (147.9 KB)
Reports under the 2011-2016 Water Allocation Plan
Read the annual announced allocation decisions for the following financial years provided under the previous water allocation plan:
- 2015/2016 Announced Allocation Report PDF (151.9 KB)
- 2014/2015 Announced Allocation Report PDF (277.5 KB)
- 2013/2014 Announced Allocation Report PDF (67.7 KB)
- 2012/2013 Announced Allocation Report PDF (301.2 KB)
- 2011/2012 Announced Allocation Report PDF (91.4 KB)
- 2010/2011 Announced Allocations Report PDF (192.8 KB)
For more information about announced water allocations, contact the Water Resources Division.
Reports and publications
Plan updates
Read the Katherine Water Allocation Plan updates.
Water allocation plan background
These documents will give you background on the Tindall Limestone Aquifer, Katherine Water Allocation Plan.
- Katherine Tindall Limestone Aquifer Water Allocation Plan 2019-2024 PDF (7.0 MB)
- Report on Community Engagement Katherine Tindall Limestone Water Allocation Plan 2019 PDF (1.2 MB)
- Tindall Limestone Aquifer, Katherine Background brief PDF (1.8 MB)
- Water Allocation Plan, Tindall Limestone Aquifer Katherine PDF (33.6 MB)
- Tindall Limestone Aquifer, Katherine Water Allocation Plan 2016-2019 PDF (33.6 MB)
Maps
Reports
- Report: End of Dry Season Stream Flow Measurements, Katherine and Daly Rivers, October 2014 PDF (5.7 MB)
- Report: End of Wet Season Stream Flow Measurements, Katherine and Daly Rivers, June 2014 PDF (1.2 MB)
- Report: End of Dry Season Stream Flow Measurements, Katherine and Daly Rivers, October 2013 PDF (734.4 KB)
- Report: May 2013 Katherine Tindall Limestone Aquifer, Oolloo Aquifer WAP Measurements PDF (753.6 KB)
- Report: Daly Low Flow Gaugings October 2009 PDF (381.4 KB)
Contact
For more information contact the Katherine Water Resource Planner on 08 8999 4017.
Last updated: 28 June 2022
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