News & updates
-
New analysis exposes the cotton industry’s plans to squeeze the Territory dry
Learn moreAccording to new analysis based on cotton industry figures, dryland cotton will never be profitable in the Northern Territory, laying waste to the cotton industry’s claims that they won’t damage Territory Rivers.
Analysis prepared by industry experts Slattery & Johnson found that the only way that cotton will be profitable in the Territory is through irrigation which will permanently damage the Territory’s free-flowing rivers and savannas.
“Advocates of a cotton industry in the Northern Territory claim it will be profitable, generate jobs and economic benefits, and that its primary motivation is to grow cotton seed for cattle feed. None of these claims are plausible,” the analysis found.
“The industry asserts that most of the cotton grown in the NT will be dryland. However, the industry’s own financial analysis shows that, even with optimistic yield assessments, dryland cotton is not profitable and will return a significant annual loss across the industry.”
“This research confirms what Territorians have always known. Big Cotton’s plans in the Territory rely on taking billions of litres of free water and dams on our free-flowing rivers,” said Kirsty Howey, Executive Director of Environment Centre NT.
“We’ve seen the damage this industry has done to the Murray-Darling and Territorians don’t want to see the same mistakes repeated in the Top End.”
“Free flowing rivers are what make the unique Territory way of life possible. Letting the cotton industry into the Territory will put our fishing, boating and tourism industries at risk.”
The analysis also found that the industry requires significant financial assistance from governments to be financially viable. The Australian and Northern Territory governments are subsidising the industry by an estimated $42 million per year without due diligence on questionable industry claims.
“The cotton industry has come to the Territory trying to claim subsidised land, free water and huge subsidies from the public in order to make their industry viable and turn a profit. This is nothing more than a huge transfer of public wealth into the hands of big business,” said Ms Howey.
A full copy of the report can be downloaded here
Key findings:
- The Australian and Northern Territory governments are subsidising the industry by $42 million per year, as it is not financially viable with private investment alone.
- Industry dryland cotton in Northern Australia makes an estimated loss of $812 per hectare. To achieve industry forecast gross revenue and make a profit, the amount of irrigated cotton will need to be double the area currently claimed.
- There is no basis to industry claims that the primary motivation for cotton being grown in the NT is to produce cotton seed for cattle.
Notes for editors:
- This analysis was produced using industry data on operating costs and profit margins sourced from Cotton Info, the Cotton Research and Development Corporation, and Boyce Chartered Accountants.
- Slattery & Johnson are a water consulting firm that conducts independent research and policy analysis. Directors Maryanne Slattery and Bill Johnson are former senior employees of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority.
- This analysis also examined the claims by the cotton industry about the number of jobs created. It found serious flaws in the figures, including a report from Cotton Australia and Deloitte Access Economics where no method is provided and no sources are cited. Another report by PricewaterhouseCoopers reported salaries more than 50% higher than the current industry average.
-
“Anti-Territorian”: Chief Minister’s secret plan to hand herself powers to override NT environment laws
Learn moreA leaked Finocchiaro Government briefing document reveals a secret CLP plan to pass laws that give the Chief Minister and an unelected bureaucrat (the Territory Coordinator) sweeping powers to fast-track and override environmental laws in the NT.
The “Territory Coordinator Consultation Paper” reveals that the Territory Coordinator and Chief Minister will be handed unprecedented sweeping powers to “step in” and take over environmental approval and assessment processes themselves for designated projects, and exempt projects altogether from environment laws. This could see greatly reduced scrutiny of environmentally harmful projects, including stripping back the rights of community members to voice their concerns about these projects. It is unclear who has been consulted about these changes, but comments are due by 1 November 2024, signalling that the laws may be brought before the Legislative Assembly in the next sittings (26 to 28 November).
These regressive laws could apply to some of the most controversial and environmentally harmful projects in Australia, including fracking in the Beetaloo Basin, the Singleton Station development, carbon capture and storage and land clearing and water licence approvals for expansion of the cotton industry in the NT. Environment groups say the laws are authoritarian, anti-democratic, anti-Territorian and an attack on democracy and the Territory lifestyle the Government says it wants to protect. They claim the Chief Minister has no mandate for these laws, which are unprecedented in Australia and a blow for transparency, the rule of law and community rights.
Kirsty Howey, Executive Director of ECNT:
“These pernicious laws are profoundly anti-democratic and anti-Territorian, and will see power arbitrarily wielded in favour of fossil fuel company profits over communities.”
“The CLP has talked up protecting the Territory lifestyle, while cooking up a secret blueprint to let Big Business destroy it by tearing up protections for our harbour, rivers and the nature that makes the Territory special.”
“Without proper checks and balances, big industrial development will be unleashed which pollutes our rivers and aquifers and the air we breathe.”
“Powers to exempt and fast-track destructive projects like fracking and cotton expansion are a massive blow for transparency, the rule of law and community rights.”
Background:
- A leaked document shows that the Territory Coordinator will be established to “act as an intermediary between the Crown, government agencies and project proponents with the goal of getting projects off the ground, growing the population, creating jobs, and rebuilding the Territory economy”
- In reality, the Territory Coordinator and the Chief Minister will have powers to (with respect to “projects of Territory significance” and “Territory development areas”):
- Direct decision-makers to make decisions within certain timeframes (TC only);
- “Step in” and undertake an assessment themselves instead of the NTEPA or relevant decision-makers (TC and Chief Minister);
- Exempt projects altogether from approvals (TC and Chief Minister).
- Decisions of the Territory Coordinator and Chief Minister are guided by a “primary principle” that elevates the objective of driving economic prosperity above all other considerations, and “will provide grounds for the TC or Minister to make a different decision to that which may have been made by the original decision maker”
- Projects possibly in scope include Beetaloo Basin (offshore gas and “critical infrastructure” corridors are expressly mentioned), large scale renewables, the Singleton Station development, cotton expansion in the Douglas Daly and Roper River catchments, and Middle Arm.
- While making reference to similar powers in other jurisdictions in Australia and internationally, it seems these powers would be unprecedented in an Australian context – effectively providing an ability for the Chief Minister and TC to override environmental laws altogether.
- The briefing papers says that projects subject to the EPBC Act bilateral agreement would be exempted, as would the Sacred Sites Act and native title and land rights processes.
-
Territory Rivers Film Roadshow
Learn moreYou’re invited to join us for a free screening of the Territory Rivers film in Katherine, Pine Creek and Nauiyu.
Featuring stunning footage, this documentary looks at the science, cultural importance and wellbeing of some of the NT’s iconic river systems – and the people, wildlife and environments that depend upon their survival.
RSVP to your nearest screening:
- Katherine Cinema, Tuesday 8 October, 6:00pm
- Pine Creek Community Hall, Wednesday 9 October, 6:00pm
- Merrepen Arts Centre, Nauiyu, Thursday 10 October, 6:00pm
Every Territorian knows how special our Top End Rivers are. The Top End way of life that we all love is made possible because of these free flowing rivers and the unique environment they sustain.
But they are under immediate threat from big business that wants to take huge amounts of water out of this already stretched river system. Now more than ever we need to work together to protect these rivers and ensure that big business doesn’t destroy our rivers.
You’ll hear about why these rivers are so special, the threats they are facing and how you can act to ensure that these iconic rivers are protected.
-
Canberra is finally listening
Learn moreThis week we put the voices of the Territory on the national stage. Traditional Owners, experts and environment groups were in Canberra this week, raising the alarm about the threats facing the Territory’s rivers.
We met with Ministers, MPs, Senators and spoke to the media to make sure that the voices of Territorians and Traditional Owners are heard over the lobbying of big business. And Parliament listened!
Thanks to pressure from people like you, Parliament has established a special inquiry into water, food and energy security in the Northern Territory. And we won a public commitment from Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy to advocate for First Nations people to have a say in decision-making across the Roper River catchment.
Our campaign is breaking through in Canberra as the government feels the pressure from Territorians who don’t want a repeat of the Murray-Darling disaster on Territory rivers.
Traditional Owners Jocelyn James (Mangarrayi), Melissa Andrews (Ngukurr), Cecilia Lake (Mangarrayi), Anne-Marie Woods (Mangarrayi) meet with Minister Malarndirri McCarthy (top right), Senator Dorinda Cox (bottom left) and Senator David Pocock (bottom right).But the work doesn’t stop here. We know that the cotton industry will be desperate to influence this inquiry. And we need to make sure that the voices of Territorians can be heard over the influence of big business.
Share the good news on your social media and ask your friends to join the campaign!
We will be keeping a close eye on this inquiry, working to support communities to have an increased say on decisions across the Roper catchment and keeping you updated on when you can have an influence.
We need urgent action to restore integrity to the NT’s water management system, which has been riddled with conflicts of interest. As the cotton industry sets its sights on the Northern Territory, now more than ever, we need better management systems and laws that protect these unique rivers.
Our campaign is working. Not even the politicians in Canberra can ignore the threats facing the Territory rivers. We know how important these rivers are to our way of life and environment and it’s about time more politicians did too.
cotton, cotton industry, land clearing, murraydarlingbasin, roper river, Territory rivers
-
We’re taking your message to Canberra
Learn moreEvery Territorian knows how special the Top End Rivers are. The way of life that we all love is made possible because of these free flowing rivers and the unique environment they sustain.
But these rivers are under threat. Big business has been taking advantage of a broken water management system riddled with conflicts of interest to take more water and bulldoze more land alongside our iconic rivers.
Right now Traditional Owners and environmental groups are in Canberra to meet with the government and push for a national plan to protect our free flowing rivers. Will you have their back?
You can add your voice to the call for national action and make sure that Canberra can’t ignore us. The more people who contact the government, the more powerful our actions Canberra will be.
Be a voice for free flowing rivers. Send your message now.
The recent 4 Corners investigation revealed just how broken river management in the NT is. And the community has had enough.
The rivers of Australia’s north are some of the last free flowing tropical rivers in the world. They are precious to the people of the NT and internally recognised. We’ve all seen what has happened to the Murray Darling system. We can’t let that happen in the NT.
We need the Federal Government to step in and prevent this disaster before it’s too late.
-
Territory Rivers: the film
Learn moreThe rivers of the Northern Territory are some of the last free-flowing tropical rivers in the world. But the threat of large-scale agriculture projects looms – which, if established in the Top End, will require huge amounts of water taken from already stretched river systems and natural floodplains. This documentary short looks at the science, cultural importance and wellbeing of some of the NT’s iconic river systems – and the people, wildlife and environments that depend upon their survival.
cotton, Daly River, floodplainharvesting, land clearing, murraydarlingbasin, NT Government, roper river, Territory rivers
-
NT government defends cotton industry’s land and water use as calls grow for federal inquiry
Learn moreThe NT government has defended allowing pastoralists to change pastoral lease uses without a permit, saying it’s legal to grow crops to feed livestock.
A former pastoral land regulator says that rule only allows permit-free land use changes if the primary purpose of growing the crop is for cattle feed.
What’s next?
Some are calling for a Commonwealth inquiry into the NT government’s adherence to its own land use and water laws.
-
Four Corners: Water Grab
Learn moreAt the desert oasis of Bitter Springs, tourists float lazily through water so clear it reflects the piercing blue sky. Ringed by a rare palm forest, this spring, near the town of Mataranka, is a must for those on a road trip between Darwin and Alice Springs.
But there are fears these thermal pools and the nearby Roper River, famous for barramundi fishing, are under threat. Water levels are dropping. And if it dries up further this oasis may not survive a bushfire. These rivers are the lifeblood of the Northern Territory, fed by springs and an ancient network of groundwater.
It’s water the NT government is giving away for free. Giant new water licences are being handed out to developers, in search of the next boom crop. And a new lucrative, but controversial, player has entered — cotton.
-
Political parties announce no new dams on major rivers
Learn moreAll major NT political parties have now listened and committed to what communities have long been calling for – no dams on iconic rivers like the Daly and Roper.
This important, historic step from all sides of politics towards protecting our rivers is thanks to thousands of people like you, who have asked parties and candidates to commit to:
- No new dams on the Daly and Roper rivers
- Increased community decision-making over water issues
- Strong laws that protect our rivers
See the headline responses from the parties below.
Country Liberal Party
The Country Liberal Party categorically say no to dams in flowing rivers.
Territory Labor
Territory Labor will ensure there will be no dams on the Daly and Roper rivers … with specific regulations and legally binding measures through reforms to the Water Act.
NT Greens
The Greens commit to ensuring the Daly and Roper Rivers run free, [and] to no dams.
[This] must include stopping dams from being built at scale in floodplain catchments.CLP full response
- ‘We agree with you that Northern Territory rivers are central to our great lifestyle. The Northern Territory stands at a critical juncture, where we need decisive action to propel our economy forward while preserving our unique environment and lifestyle.
- Our focus remains on giving the Territory a competitive edge exemplified by streamlined project execution and reduced approval timeframes.
- In the face of pressing environmental challenges, we stand firm in our commitment to responsible, sustainable, economic growth.
- The Country Liberal Party categorically say no to dams in flowing rivers.’
Labor full response
- We will ensure there will be no dams on the Daly or Roper Rivers – a protection we will enact with specific regulations and legally binding measures through reforms to the Water Act and related regulations.
- Continue to develop and embed an Aboriginal Water Security Advisory Council in water-related decision-making processes, ensuring Aboriginal Territorians have a voice on strategic water issues and enhancing Aboriginal participation in decisions around water.
- Continue to partner with Aboriginal Land Councils and work with Traditional Owners across the Territory to establish contemporary approaches to incorporating recognition of the diverse cultural values of water in our policy and legislative frameworks.
- Further develop approaches to Strategic Aboriginal Water Reserves in consultation with Traditional Owners. Resource Aboriginal Community Water Officers, to work in partnership with Rangers, in a water monitoring capacity.
- Deliver remote water infrastructure projects for an additional eight communities, in collaboration with the Australian Government and local Aboriginal people.
- Legislate new Water Act by 2026, contemporising our water legislation which will provide further protection to rivers, aquifers and wetlands.
- Continue to strengthen the Territory’s Water Allocation Planning Framework, ensuring a contemporary balance between protecting environmental and cultural values and sustainable water availability for economic development.
- Introduce landmark safe drinking water legislation to the Parliament in 2024.
Greens full response
- The Greens commit to ensuring the Daly and Roper Rivers run free. We commit to no dams on the Daly and the Roper. A No Dams policy must include stopping dams from being built at scale in the floodplain catchment of these two rivers, or it’s not a real No Dams policy. The evidence is clear that Wet Season flushes of the catchment are vital to the health of the rivers and to the lifecycle of important species, including barramundi and prawns, as well as less well-known species. Floodplain harvesting, and especially at the scale planned by the cotton industry, would be a disaster for the Daly and the Roper. In Parliament, we would pursue an effective ban on floodplain harvesting at scale and shine a light on the connections between the big cotton corporations and the major parties. We challenge the other parties to make it clear that they support a ban on floodplain harvesting at scale in the Daly and Roper catchments.
- The message from Traditional Owners, ecologists and other members of the community is clear: the current rates of industrial water extraction from the Daly and Roper Rivers are already having a major impact. Corporate interests like the cotton and fracking companies want to massively increase this take. NT Governments of both major parties have given away far too much Territory water to big corporations for free, with shoddy environmental assessment and for little community benefit. We commit to no additional allocations from the Daly and Roper catchments for exploitation until an independent public review is complete. We also commit to a review of existing licenses and their impacts on the rivers, and to enacting binding limits on water extraction. You can review our nature and water policy here.
- We also commit to a ban on fracking and to oppose the cotton corporations’ plans for a massive Murray-Darling style expansion in the Top End. These industries are known to be voracious for their water appetite, and we share the community concern that their existing plans for extraction are the thin edge of the wedge. The Greens will always work with the community to protect our rivers.
- We commit to overhauling the Territory’s water laws to protect rivers, groundwater and wetlands. The current Water Act and water plans are totally unable to protect the Territory’s rivers or groundwater dependent waterholes, trees and soaks. The new, overhauled water laws must include specific legal designations and protections for special rivers like the Daly and the Roper, and for aquifers and wetlands. The Greens have a track record of being the party that works for better protections for water nationwide. In 2023, we negotiated better water protections through the federal Parliament that mean that all Territory fracking projects can be assessed and stopped by the federal Environment Minister. In the Territory Parliament, the Greens would work tirelessly to secure better protections for water in the NT.
- Land clearing is one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss, erosion and degradation in the Territory. Our rivers, savannas and climate are under threat from the current almost unregulated approach from NT Governments of both major parties. We commit to buffer zones of at least 2km to protect rivers from the impacts of land clearing, with larger areas considered to protect sensitive habitat and cultural values. These buffer zones must be clearly defined and binding – and be matched by resources to enforce them. Our policy platform also includes other key pieces of the puzzle to wind back the march of rampant land clearing. We commit to work with other parties to bring in an NT Biodiversity Act that would protect intact native vegetation for the first time, and an NT Biodiversity Strategy to inform research and action to protect nature here. We also commit to taking land clearing approval out of the hands of the Pastoral Land Board, and referring all major land clearing projects instead to the NT Environmental Protection Agency.
- Traditional Owners and local communities understand the needs of our rivers and understand their own needs. We commit to sustained, targeted financial support for local communities to make decisions about the future of the rivers where they live. The example of Martuwarra Fitzroy River over the border in WA shows a path to long term, community led decision-making for tropical flooding free flowing rivers. That model requires consistent, targeted support. We need the NT Government to partner with the federal government to deliver new models of river governance that fund local decision-making and formally recognise the significant values of the Territory’s rivers.
You can read the full list of policy priorities we sent to political parties and candidates here.
We also received responses from independent candidates:
Justine Davis
Independent for Johnston“The protection of our rivers is critical and Justine supports all of the recommendations outlined in the [Territory Rivers] letter.”
Sam Phelan
Independent for Katherine“I fully support your asks, however would like a more nuanced discussion about the practicalities of NO new dams on the Roper and Daly. I fully support no mega dams on these rivers, and the exercising of much more caution in regards the surface water take wet season flow policy currently in play. We have seen what has happened to the Murray Darling, and we cannot allow the same mistakes to be made here. Independent science is crucial to this discussion and must be respected.”
It’s clear Territorians value our rivers, and we will continue to work on securing long-term protections for our rivers, including new models led by First Nations people, and new water laws led by communities. We must act now to avoid a Murray-Darling disaster.
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.
cotton, cotton industry, Daly River, murraydarlingbasin, NT Government, roper river
-
Stories from the river: Walter Rodgers
Learn more“The water of the Roper is precious … I don’t like the government plan regarding our water and we’d like to leave it as it is.
Walter Kolbong Rodgers is a Senior Culture Man from Ngukurr, on the Roper River. Hear more from him in the video below.
cotton, Daly River, floodplainharvesting, NT Government, roper, roper river, Territory rivers