Harrison Dam Conservation Reserve upgrades to unlock new areas to Top End hunters

Top End shooters’ access into an iconic conservation reserve could be significantly expanded due to new infrastructure upgrades.

On Saturday new Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Gerard Maley confirmed that works were expected to begin on Monday in the southern section of the popular Top End hunting reserve, just 65km from Darwin.

Top End shooters will soon be able to access a vast patch of previously inaccessible hunting grounds at Harrison Dam Conservation Reserve.

On Saturday new Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Gerard Maley confirmed works were expected to begin on Monday in the southern section of the popular Top End hunting reserve, just 65km from Darwin.

It is understood the planned works will build a causeway over a tributary of Beatrice Lagoon, which flows to the Adelaide River.

Mr Maley said previously there was no vehicle access to large sections of the southern parts of the Harrison Dam conservation area, due to waterlogged swamps, lagoons and floodplain channels.

The Harrison Dam Conservation Reserve conservation area is an iconic part of the Territory lifestyle, attracting more than 9000 visitors annually.

He said the improved access would also allow weed and feral animal control activities to operate on a greater scale.

Mr Maley said the 3284 hectare Harrison Dam Conservation Reserve conservation area was an iconic part of the Territory lifestyle, attracting more than 9000 visitors annually.

“This is only the first step to make hunting even better in the NT and I look forward to announcing more projects and programs for recreational hunters in the near future,” he said.

NT Field and Game Association spokesman Bart Irwin said the new causeway would open up the shoreline for hunters and add a “vast new area...suitable for geese, ducks and other waders like jabiru and ibis”.

Mr Irwin estimated the works would unlock a water body equal to one fifth of Harrison Dam.

NT Field and Game Association's Bart Irwin speaks at a CLP announcement. Picture: Supplied

However, due to the infrastructure upgrades, hunters have been warned they will face restricted access to the park starting Monday between 9am and 4pm until further notice.

During the public submissions to the Northern Territory Parks 2023-53 Masterplan, hunters consistently called for new reserves and increased access within already existing shooting areas like Harrison Dam

When the 30-year strategy was released in 2023, it set a four year target to use regional spatial planning to explore new parks and reserves while assessing their suitability for hunting opportunities.

Both the CLP and Labor spruiked new hunting reserves on the campaign trail, with then Environment Minister Kate Worden also stating she was in talks with stakeholders to identify a second hunting reserve.