AROWS project gets budget boost as Plibersek praises innovative water plan

The NT government has begun revealing details from its 2023 budget. Read this year’s first major announcement

The Territory’s biggest infrastructure project since the Alice Springs to Darwin railway will be part-funded in next month’s NT budget.

The Adelaide River Off-stream Water Storage Project will get an additional $3.95m over three years in the May 9 budget.

The new money announcement brings the amount allocated to the revolutionary water scheme so far to $21m.

And in a milestone day for the project, the government on Thursday awarded a $2.4m tender to Territory business GHD Pty Ltd to perform scientific, stakeholder and regulatory work.

Treasurer Eva Lawler has announced the government’s first big budget measure. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

AROWS is the NT government’s long-term plan to grow and secure the Territory’s water supply without building another dam.

About 5km north of Lake Bennett and adjacent to the Adelaide River, the proposed storage reservoir is made up largely of a natural ridge formation that will contain the water.

Two walls will be constructed at the low points to contain the water within the natural reservoir.

Water is then extracted from Adelaide River to fill the reservoir during peak flow periods, meaning a dam is not required.

Once extracted from the reservoir, the water will be treated at the Straus water treatment plant before distribution in the Top End.

AROWS is expected to be fully operational by 2031.

Treasurer Eva Lawler said the $3.95m is on top of the $18m already contributed by the Commonwealth to the AROWS project.

A Jabiru wades through the flood plains near Mt. Bundy Station just outside of Adelaide River.

She said the new NT money would be used to acquire land for the project from existing owners including pastoralists, TOs and government.

It is expected about 18 square kilometres will be acquired.

Water from the project will help secure Top End water supplies for residential, commercial and manufacturing use but will also be used for horticulture and agriculture in Lambells Lagoon.

“AROWS is going to be the biggest project since the railway,” Ms Lawler said.

“It’s a huge project and will probably have about 1000 jobs.

The iconic Adelaide River will remain dam free.

“Darwin River Dam has served us well for the past 50 years but now we’re going to need a new water source to last us for the next 50 years.

“If you fly over the area you can see the natural basin and that natural basin will be filled.”

“Some of that money will go towards identifying and working with landholders on that site because there will be land that will need to be acquired for where AROWS will be.

“Some of the landholders are pastoralists, some of it’s crown land, some of it’s owned by TOs so some of that money will be around working on the land there as well.

“There will also be money for a business plan around Lambells Lagoon.”

Meanwhile, Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek has endorsed AROWS.

“The AROWS project is an important part of ensuring Territorians can benefit from increased water security and climate resilience in the future,” Ms Plibersek said.

“This is also great for the local economy, creating local jobs and supporting local businesses like GHD Pty Ltd.

“This is an example of our government’s commitment to projects that will deliver long term water security across the nation.”