Have Your Say – Draft Katherine Water Plan
The Department of Lands, Planning and Environment is developing a new 10-year water plan for Katherine (2026–2036). A draft plan has been released for a 4-week public consultation period where you can have your say.
The Town of Katherine is located on the Tindall Limestone Aquifer, which stores large volumes of water. The water in this aquifer supports livelihoods, community wellbeing, recreation and is culturally important to Aboriginal people of Katherine.
As the Territory’s third largest town, with expected population growth and economic development, securing the water supply for the diverse range of sectors, industries and values that rely on water is important. Therefore, a water plan has been in place for Katherine since 2009. The current Katherine Tindall Limestone Aquifer Water Allocation Plan 2024–2026 will expire in February 2026.
A draft of the new plan has been prepared with input from the Daly River Water Advisory Committee. The committee concluded its 4th meeting on 20 August, indicating its support to release the Draft Katherine Water Allocation Plan 2026-2036.
You can provide comments on the draft plan at Have Your Say, an online platform for public consultation on Northern Territory Government services. It allows you, the public, to provide input and direction so the best possible outcomes are achieved. To have your say, register today and help shape the future of the NT.
To provide comments and register on the Have Your Say website.
After the consultation period, community feedback will be incorporated, and the Daly River Water Advisory Committee will meet again to consider any changes to the plan and provide advice to the Minister for Water Resources. The Katherine water plan is expected to be declared in early 2026.
Why the Daly River Water Advisory Committee?
A Daly River water plan is proposed to manage the water resources across the Daly River basin in the longer term. Currently, there are two declared water allocation plans within the Daly basin:
- Oolloo Dolostone Aquifer water allocation plan (2019-2029)
- Katherine water allocation plan (to be redeclared in 2026)
Given the interactions between the Katherine and Oolloo water plans and their combined influence on the Daly River system, both water plans will be incorporated as chapters of a larger Daly River plan, on which the committee will advise over the coming years.
