Australia’s Great Water Grab
Act to protect NT rivers
The Northern Territory is known around the world for its iconic free-flowing rivers. But the future of these rivers is at a crossroads, and they need your help.
What's at stake
These rivers support the livelihoods of local communities, culture, and world-class tourism and fishing. The flows of the Roper River are essential to the health of endangered turtles and dugongs, as well as barramundi, prawn and crab industries in the Gulf of Carpentaria. The flow of the Roper relies on groundwater to feed the famous Mataranka and Bitter Springs – a world renowned tourist haven that is now under threat.
The Issue
The Northern Territory’s water laws are some of the worst in the country, and do not act to protect great rivers like the Roper and the Daly. Recent revelations in the media showed that the broken system of water management in the NT lacks credibility and is riddled with conflicts of interest.
Native vegetation is being bulldozed to make way for thirsty crops like cotton, and the NT Government are not just standing by - they’re actively changing the rules to make it easier to happen, all the while ignoring the voices of communities who are crying out for it to stop.
What we need to see happen
Urgent action is required before the Northern Territory’s iconic savanna is trashed, rivers are destroyed, and Traditional Owners rights are undermined. We’ve seen the devastating impact of large-scale industrial cotton on rivers like the Murray Darling, and can’t afford to have it repeated here. We don’t have time to wait.
Right now is a once in a generation chance to ensure we protect our Territory river systems. Join the call for the Federal Government to act.
What we're asking for
If we are to have any hope of fixing this broken system, we need urgent action from the Australian Government, including:
- Ensuring the Northern Territory is compliant with the National Water Initiative and supporting the NT Government to declare a moratorium on water licences and clearing permits across the Roper catchment.
- Initiating a Royal Commission into water management, land clearing and deforestation in the NT and the impacts on the rights of Traditional Owners.
- Committing to a Commonwealth-funded First Nations-led governance project for the Roper.
Act now to protect our unique and special rivers.
P.S. Territory Rivers – Keep ‘em Flowing is non-partisan, we will never issue advice on how to vote. We are committed to working with all sides of politics at all times to secure the best outcomes for our rivers.
Act to protect NT rivers
You’ll send your message to:
- Federal Minister for Environment & Water, Tanya Plibersek and Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy
- CC: Chief Minister NT Lia Finocchiaro; NT Environment Minister Joshua Burgoyne, Member for Lingiari Marion Scrymgour; Member for Solomon Luke Gosling.