Western Davenport Water Allocation Plan scrutinised by environmental group; water minister calls plan ‘interim’

A Red Centre water plan – set to use ‘about 1.4 times Darwin’s annual water supply’ – has drawn the ire of an environmental group, who now want to see the Territory’s water laws reformed. Find out why.

A groundwater dependant ecosystem within Central Australia. Picture: Supplied.

An environmental group is calling for water law reform in the Territory after a water plan south of Tennant Creek was allocated, which the Water Minister is calling an “interim plan”.

The latest Western Davenport Water Allocation Plan 2024-2027 has drawn the ire of the Arid Lands Environmental Centre (ALEC), with the centre’s chief executive Adrian Tomlinson now calling on an “urgent amendment” to the Territory water laws.

“We need an urgent amendment to the Territory’s water laws to ensure water allocation plans are binding,” he said.

“The Territory’s water laws are broken. The Singleton court case, while still subject to appeal, highlighted that plans are non-binding.”

In picking apart the current Western Davenport water allocation plan – which covers a 24,500 sqkm area south of Tennant Creek – Mr Tomlinson said the plan “does not protect the environment” and water will be taken away from the Aboriginal Water Reserve.

Minister Kate Worden ahead of the 2024 edition of the Top End Gran Fondo. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“This plan establishes that a mistake was made in issuing the enormous and destructive Singleton Licence,” he said.

“It claims groundwater dependent ecosystems are protected yet it references a controversial guideline allowing 30 per cent of groundwater dependent ecosystems to be damaged or destroyed.

“It has taken water away from the Aboriginal Water Reserve as well as ecosystems.

“Once again local people are left suffering the costs.”

The current estimated sustainable yield for the plan has been called “not evidence based” by ALEC, who said the current plan doubles the amount of water from 63 billion litres.

But to Northern Territory environment, climate change and water security minister Kate Worden, the plan was done with “significant consultation” over “a number of years”.

“During consultation members of the Western Davenport Water Advisory Committee suggested exploring the option of reducing the estimated sustainable yield, to address concerns raised through community consultation, including by Traditional Owners,” she said.

“Water is an incredibly valuable resource that needs to be managed for all Territorians and find the balance between supporting development and agriculture industry – but not at the expense of the environment.

“The declaration of an interim plan from 2024-27 is a reflection of this consultation.”