650 water licences now in effect
Water Regulation reached a significant milestone, with 665 water licences now actively managed across the Territory.
The Water Regulation team within Water Resources Division has reached a significant milestone, with more than 650 water licences now granted across the Northern Territory (NT).
The increase in water licences reflects increased regulatory oversight and the steady growth in water use across the Territory, which is used to support communities, industry, agriculture, mining and petroleum activities. In total, these licences authorise a combined extraction of 645,603 megalitres per year.
Surpassing 650 active licences highlights the important role water regulation plays in ensuring water is used responsibly and sustainably.
As the NT continues to develop, effective water management remains essential to balancing economic growth with the protection of one of the Territory’s most valuable natural resources.
The Water Regulation team administers the Water Act 1992 and provides science-based regulatory advice to the:
- public,
- Minister for Water Resources and
- Controller of Water Resources.
This work ensures water use is carefully managed while balancing environmental protection with development needs.
The team operates Territory-wide, with 12 officers based across Darwin, Katherine, and Alice Springs. Alongside assessing licence and permit applications, the team undertakes more than 130 compliance inspections each year, visiting water licence holders across the Territory to ensure licence conditions are met and to support long-term water security.
This milestone reflects the ongoing commitment of Water Regulation to responsible water management and maintaining confidence in the Territory’s water management framework.
For more information, go to the water licensing portal.
