Minister Fyles revokes 10 billion litre water licence for Larrimah project

NT Health Minister Natasha Fyles has revoked a 10 billion litre per year water licence for a Top End agricultural precinct following a challenge from the Northern Land Council and the Environment Centre NT.

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NT Health Minister Natasha Fyles has revoked a 10 billion litre per year water licence for a Top End agricultural precinct following a challenge from the Northern Land Council and the Environment Centre NT.

The 12,780 acre Larrimah Agricultural Precinct, about 500km southeast of Darwin, was being spruiked for development by the NT Land Corporation because of its suitability for farming mangoes, citrus and melons as well as cattle.

The NLC and the ECNT requested a review by an independent Water Resources Review Panel of the decision by the Acting Water Controller to grant a 10GL groundwater extraction licence to the NT Land Corporation.

The Review found the Acting Water Controller’s original decision was flawed and recommended it be overturned.

Ms Fyles, who was standing in for Environment and Water Security Minister Eva Lawler because of a conflict of interest, accepted the recommendations and overturned the decision on Wednesday.

Environment Centre NT Co-Director Kirsty Howey welcomed the decision, but said concerns remain about the NT’s water management processes.

“This is a timely reminder of the risk of rushing to give away our water. It’s good that the Government has listened – we need more of it,” she said.

In a statement, Ms Fyles said she made the decision due to Ms Lawler’s oversight of the NT Land Corporation.

“I acted as a delegate and made a decision based on advice I received,” Ms Fyles said.

“The NT Water Allocation Planning Framework acknowledges there are difficulties in determining applications for water extraction in the transitional zone where the Top End and Arid zones meet

.

“In regards to NT Land Corporation decision, the department will keep them informed of this work, and once complete, may enable a new application should the relevant aquifer be determined as having an available water allocation.”

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