The catchment covers an area of 7640 square kilometres – from its headwaters in Litchfield National Park to the coastal plains of the Arafura Sea.

The plan will manage and regulate the use of surface water during the wet season, which includes internationally significant wetlands and floodplain ecosystems that support a diverse range of species, including migratory birds and native fish.

In 2024, a collaborative aquatic biodiversity survey provided an extraordinary insight into the catchment’s aquatic life, while paving the way for sustainable water use. The team from Water Resources, Flora and Fauna, and the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) found nearly 50 fish species, three turtle species and several decapod crustaceans.

Survey highlights included the warrior catfish, found in the tidal freshwater zone; a rare ray-finned fish called smalleyed sleeper spotted far upstream from its usual habitat in the tidal freshwater zone; and sightings of the primitive archerfish at multiple locations.

The findings emphasise the importance of connectivity between tidal, freshwater and floodplain habitats to enable key species like barramundi, tarpon and cherabin to migrate between the diverse environments to complete important phases of their lifecycle.

What is a water allocation plan?

A water allocation plan determines the volume of water that can be taken from a water resource and allocates that water to end users. It sets the objectives for water sharing and a process for monitoring, reviewing and adjusting the plan as needed.

Plans are developed under the National Water Initiative, a Commonwealth-led strategy that provides principles for sustainable water management. Plans in the Territory aim to maximise social, cultural and economic benefits of water use, within ecological constraints. This means that water for the environment, including aquatic health, is always prioritised above water for extraction.

The Adelaide River plan will be the Territory’s first surface water plan, managing water during the wet season and actively incorporating nationally agreed best-practice guidelines, including planning for climate change, involving Aboriginal people in water planning, and assessing risk for water planning and management.

Developing the water plan

The Water Resources Division within the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, began monitoring water in the Adelaide River catchment in 1952. This data, combined with the best available science, including the latest active research into the hydrology and hydraulics of the water resource, and aquatic life of the systems, will inform the development of the plan.

The plan will ensure the Adelaide River remains free flowing, protects environmental, social, recreational and cultural values, maximises economic benefits of using local water resources, promotes Aboriginal enterprise and development, and preserves the Territory lifestyle.

Key considerations also include Aboriginal cultural sites and water-related cultural values, which have been informed by the first cultural values report for a water plan, led by the Northern Land Council, prioritising drinking water and water for other domestic uses, and the needs of agriculture, aquaculture, and industry such as mining.

A water advisory committee comprising of 15 local members was appointed in July 2024 to help develop the plan.

Committee members represent interests in agriculture, horticulture, tourism, fishing, conservation and community values, as well as Aboriginal interests.

The department has also established an independent scientific ecohydrological technical advisory panel led and operated by CSIRO. The panel has been commissioned to inform the environmental water requirement of the water plan and provide expert scientific services.

As part of the engagement in developing the plan, Water Resources Division has taken part in meetings with peak bodies, such as NT Farmers, Top End Tourism and Minerals Council Australia NT, as well as Northern Land Council-hosted meetings with their stakeholders.

The public has the opportunity to comment on the draft plan later this year, and can check the progress of the plan at watersecurity.nt.gov.au /adelaide-river-water-plan

Aboriginal water reserve

Aboriginal water reserves are in every Territory water plan. Water that supports Aboriginal economic development is allocated to each reserve. The reserved amount is only accessible to eligible Aboriginal people and is informed by how much Aboriginal land has access to water in the catchment area.

Adelaide River Off-stream Water Storage Project (AROWS)

AROWS is an individual water supply project separate to the Adelaide River water plan.

The plan is a whole-of-catchment strategy that also informs the potential water availability for AROWS and other water-based industries or developments, which may arise in the future such as agriculture or aquaculture.

The plan will not give AROWS approval to take water, but rather, will say how much water can be taken from the Adelaide River catchment. Once the plan is declared, any project that wishes to access water must then obtain a water licence. TQ