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National Water Account 2019

Daly: Water management

  • The Northern Territory Water Act 1992 establishes the framework for managing water resources in the Daly region.
  • The Katherine Tindall Limestone Aquifer Water Allocation Plan and the Oolloo Dolostone Aquifer Water Allocation Plan (draft) define how water is shared between the various needs in the region.

Daly region map with summary information. Water management: The Department of Environment and Natural Resource prepares the Water Allocation Plans to manage water resources. Environmental water: water provisions are defined for the Katherine and Daly rivers. Cultural water: water provisions protected by limiting allocations for consumptive use.

For further information on the region's water management scroll down this page or click on the links below:

 

Surface water and groundwater management

Water legislation

  • The Northern Territory Water Act 1992 establishes the framework for managing and allocating water resources in the Daly region.
  • The Act provides the legal framework for the allocation of water to various declared beneficial uses including agriculture, aquaculture, public water supply, stock and domestic use, and industry, while ensuring that adequate provisions are made to maintain cultural and environmental water requirements.
  • The Department of Environment and Natural Resources assists the Minister with the functions set out in the Act, including proclaiming water management areas and regulating the taking of water from these areas.

 

Water allocation plans

  • The Department of Environment and Natural Resources develops and implements water allocation plans in the Daly region, which set out how the department allocates and licences water in the region to manage the demands of agriculture, public water supply and other consumptive use.
  • The plans recognise the area's significant environmental and cultural values, and ensures that sufficient water is retained to protect aquatic ecosystems and meet cultural needs.

 

Map of two water allocation plan areas. The Katherine Tindall Limestone Aquifer water allocation plan area is in the central part of the region covering a part of the Tindall Limestone Aquifer around Katherine. The draft Oolloo Dolostone Aquifer water allocation plan area extends across the central and northern part of the region and covers the entire Oolloo Dolstone Aquifer
Figure R7 Water allocation plan areas in the Daly region

 

 

Environmental water management

 

Cultural water management

  • The Daly River region is highly significant to the Aboriginal people and their way of life. Many sacred sites have been recorded along the Daly River and its tributaries, and many traditional practices continue to this day.
  • The interests of Aboriginal people in water planning are represented by their participation in water-planning processes, such as the Daly River Management Advisory Committee, and through studies and assessments that are used to inform the development of water plans.
  • The water allocation plans for the Daly region recognise Aboriginal rights and interests in water and provide for Aboriginal interests through measures to limit extraction of groundwater.
  • A more detailed description of the cultural water provisions for the region is provided in the Katherine Tindall Limestone Aquifer Water Allocation Plan and the Oolloo Dolostone Aquifer Water Allocation Plan.

 

Organisations responsible for water management