Northern Territory water plan condemned as ‘blatant and shameless’ attack on nature
News Source
•Sun, 01 Nov 2026 14:00:13 GMT
📰 What Happened
The Northern Territory government wants to remove a rule that sets water aside for the environment. The rule currently applies when the territory decides how much water farms, mines and other industries can take.
The plan has been condemned by green groups and the Central Land Council, which speaks for Indigenous people in the southern half of the NT.
Kirsty Howey from the Wilderness Society called it extreme even for the Country Liberal government. Environment minister Joshua Burgoyne says the change does not remove environmental safeguards.
🔍 The Backstory
The NT is dry, and its rivers and groundwater support plants, animals and sacred sites. Water laws decide who gets to use that water and how much is left alone.
In 2019 the territory approved a huge water licence for a cotton farm at Singleton Station. The decision sparked years of argument about farming in the desert.
The CLP won government in 2024 and has backed fracking, big data centres and more farming. Each of these needs large amounts of water.
🎯 Why It Matters
Rivers and groundwater keep communities and wildlife alive. Once water is handed to industry, it is very hard to get back.
The Northern Territory government wants to remove a rule that sets water aside for the environment. The rule currently applies when the territory decides how much water farms, mines and other industries can take.
The plan has been condemned by green groups and the Central Land Council, which speaks for Indigenous people in the southern half of the NT.
Kirsty Howey from the Wilderness Society called it extreme even for the Country Liberal government. Environment minister Joshua Burgoyne says the change does not remove environmental safeguards.
The NT is dry, and its rivers and groundwater support plants, animals and sacred sites. Water laws decide who gets to use that water and how much is left alone.
In 2019 the territory approved a huge water licence for a cotton farm at Singleton Station. The decision sparked years of argument about farming in the desert.
The CLP won government in 2024 and has backed fracking, big data centres and more farming. Each of these needs large amounts of water.
Rivers and groundwater keep communities and wildlife alive. Once water is handed to industry, it is very hard to get back.