News
650 water licences now in effect
Water Regulation reached a significant milestone, with 665 water licences now actively managed across the Territory.
Driving housing supply and economic growth – Crown land in action
The Department of Lands, Planning and Environment has marked a Territory first, delivering an unprecedented single day release of residential Crown land in Greater Darwin.
Place Names Committee delivers strong outcomes in 2025
Place naming is central to how we navigate and celebrate the Territory. This story welcomes the Hon Roger Steele OAM to the Place Names Committee, bringing decades of local knowledge and community contribution.
NT Planning Scheme landscaping rules given practical makeover
An amendment to the Northern Territory Planning Scheme has been finalised to improve landscaping outcomes, remove requirements that were producing impractical or ineffective results and better reflect local conditions.
Draft Alice Springs water allocation plan for public comment
The Alice Springs water allocation plan 2016-2026 is due for renewal.
Gall flies released on Croker Island
In early December 2025, the NT Government’s Weed Management Branch (WMB) released gall flies (Cecidochares connexa) on Croker Island as part of collaborative research with the Queensland Department of Primary Industries.
Nearly $10,000 in penalties issued for illegal dumping in Alice Springs
nce September 2025, nearly $10,000 in penalties have been issued to individuals for causing an environmental nuisance under the Waste Management and Pollution Control Act 1998, following illegal dumping activities on Crown land in Alice Springs.
The Office of Water Security joined Power Water Corporation and the Department of Education and Training at Dripstone Middle School in early December 2025 to help year 7 students weed their native garden.
Environmental regulation building on success
The Environmental Regulation division has released its Compliance Plan 2025–26 and Compliance Report Card 2024–25, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing regulatory excellence.
The 2025-2026 gamba action program (GAP) has had a strong start this season, with over 2,000 bottles of 5L herbicide distributed to private landholders across the urban, rural and agricultural areas in the Darwin and Katherine regions by the end of January.