Territory, Federal government commit to $8 million join investment to deliver drinking water to remote communities

The Lawler government has struck a deal with Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to deliver healthy drinking water to ‘tens of thousands’ of remote residents. See for details.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has confirmed $8 million has been pledged to improve drinking water across remote communities. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

An $8 million joint investment has been locked in with a view to delivering cleaner drinking water for remote residents across the Northern Territory.

On Saturday, the Federal government confirmed it had joined forces with the Lawler government in a bid to deliver reliable water services across 55 remote communities.

The joint investment will go towards a community infrastructure assessment project, aimed to provide an engineering analysis of essential water services and possible solutions to securing water supplies.

Drinking water across the remote communities will be subject to an $8 million joint investment. Picture: Luis Tosa

Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek said “tens of thousands” of remote residents were without adequate drinking water.

“Most Australians would be shocked to learn that tens of thousands of people in remote communities still don’t have access to healthy drinking water,” she said.

“Our government is working with the NT Government and remote communities to identify, plan and deliver water security projects.”

Ms Plibersek said the announcement was in line with ongoing commitments to improving water projects across remote NT communities.

“This announcement builds on the more than $50 million we’re investing in water projects in NT communities like Milingimbi, Yuendemu, Maningrida and Yirrkala.”

The Ord River Irrigation Scheme in Western Australia could also be expanded to cross the border into the Territory. Picture: Stuart McEvoy.

It was also confirmed the federal government would invest $2.3 million to develop a detailed case for the expansion of the Ord Irrigation Expansion project in Western Australia.

It is understood the project will assess the potential for the Ord River Irrigation Scheme to cross the Western Australia border into the Territory for agricultural development at the Weber plains precinct as well as assess the economic returns of expanding the scheme along with agricultural and regional development opportunities.

Environment, Climate Change and Water Security Minister Kate Worden says better water supplies could “unlock” the remote development. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Territory Environment, Climate Change and Water Security Minister Kate Worden said improving water supplies could “unlock” remote development.

“Water is such an important resource for the NT – having reliable and clean drinking water is important for health and has the potential to unlock development in remote areas,” she said.

“The 55 remote communities that will benefit from this investment and the project will allow for the identification of further improvement in water supply.

“The Lawler Labor Government invests in the bush and projects like these continue our work to Close the Gap for indigenous communities.”

Originally published as Territory, Federal government commit to $8 million join investment to deliver drinking water to remote communities