The need for a strategic plan for water in the Northern Territory (NT) is clear. Water is essential for human life, and is an integral part of Territorians’ livelihoods, their cultural heritage and their lifestyles. Everyone has a stake in how water is managed. Until recently, the NT’s sparse population and relatively low level of development has meant that water has, for the most part, been available for those who want it, when and where they need it. However, we also know that there are parts of the NT that do not have adequate water all the time. With aspirations for a growing population and economy, a changing climate, and increasing community awareness of sustainable water management, strategic planning is needed to manage our water resources and enable water security for future generations.
The NT Government has committed to developing the Territory’s first long term Strategic Water Plan. The plan will set the agenda for water management and policy out to 2050 and help government, business and the community plan for a water secure future for the NT.
The Office of Water Security (OWS) was established by the NT Government to develop the Northern Territory Strategic Water Plan and provide coordination across government to advance water security outcomes.
In September 2021, the Minister for Water Security released the Northern Territory Strategic Water Plan Directions Paper for public consultation. The paper outlined ten key focus areas and pathways for action, and aimed to elicit discussion and comment from the public and key stakeholders on what they would like to see in the strategic plan. These directions and pathways are based on immediate priorities as well as consideration of long-term policy and program reform. Public consultation on the paper closed on Friday 4 February 2022.
A working definition of ‘water security’ used in the Directions Paper described it as “ensuring that our water is effectively managed and that its supply and use is reliable, resilient, efficient and environmentally sustainable.” Water security is a useful overarching term to build a shared understanding of the collective effort across government to plan, manage, share, coordinate and regulate water use and services, and a lens through which to view the totality of issues and actions that might be addressed by the Strategic Water Plan.
This report details the consultation activities done during the four-month consultation period, the feedback received, and what steps will be taken to develop the Strategic Water Plan.,
Notes
Made available by via Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT),
Table of contents
1. Executive Summary, 2. Introduction, 3. Consultation Process, 4. Your Feedback, 5. Discussion, 6. Next Steps, 7. Appendix,
Language
English,
Subject
Strategic Water Plan,
Water Plan,
Water,
Water Security,