Support Traditional Owners on the Roper

stand in support

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.

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 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. As evidenced in the explosive 2024 Four Corners special, 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.

Thanks to thousands of Australians standing up and demanding action, the Australian Government initiated an inquiry into energy, food and water security in Australia's North. Traditional Owners along the Roper River have made their voice clear – they want to have formal roles in the planning and protection of these rivers. This presents a unique opportunity to transform river governance in the Territory.

Will you support these Traditional Owners in securing genuine decision-making about what happens on their Country? This new way forward led by Traditional Owners will chart a new path for best practice river governance and protect a river system that's iconic for communities, Territorians and all Australians.

Stand with Traditional Owners and call for a Commonwealth-funded First Nations-led governance project for the Roper River.

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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.