Top End water at risk, and the legal battle to protect it
Beneath a lush canopy of cabbage palms and paperbarks are the breathtakingly beautiful Mataranka Springs.
People from all over the world come here to see them and swim in these crystal-clear warm waters.
And they’re hugely significant to the Territory.
But a new plan from the Northern Territory Government could put these incredible springs at risk.
“We’re concerned the government made a decision without proper regard to the potential negative impacts for ecosystems, wildlife and communities that rely on this aquifer for their survival.”
Environment Centre Northern Territory Executive Director Kirsty Howey
Precious groundwater, drained forever?
The Mataranka Springs are at the headwaters of the Roper River, one of the most important free-flowing tropical rivers in Northern Australia.
Both the springs and the river catchment are fed by the Tindall Limestone Aquifer.
The NT Government’s new Mataranka Water Allocation Plan allows up to 62,000 megalitres (ML) of water to be extracted from the aquifer each year.
That’s enough water to fill more than 24,000 Olympic swimming pools. If laid end to end, those pools would stretch most of the way from Darwin to Alice Springs.
Our client, the Environment Centre Northern Territory (ECNT) is taking legal action not just to protect some of the Territory’s most iconic and loved waterways but also to hold the government to account and to ensure it makes decisions based on science.
Hear from ECNT’s Executive Director, Kirsty Howey
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“Allowing such a massive level of extraction when the system is already losing water and showing clear signs of strain is environmentally and economically reckless.”
ECNT Executive Director Kirsty Howey
While the plan allows over 62,000 megalitres of water to be extracted each year, only 30 megalitres per year has been allocated to the environment.
We know that’s not enough water for the Roper River and Mataranka Springs to stay healthy and support amazing creatures like the threatened freshwater sawfish.
These waters are incredibly important for the environment and for the Territory.
They must be protected, now and for future generations.
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“It is critical that decisions about the allocation of precious water resources in the Northern Territory are transparent and based on science.”
“As climate change takes hold around the globe and in Northern Australia, the risk to wildlife, ecosystems and communities is becoming even more acute.”
EDO Managing Lawyer (Northern Territory) Elanor Fenge
About EDO
Driven by dedicated supporters like you, Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) is the largest environmental legal centre in the Australia-Pacific, dedicated to protecting our climate, communities and shared environment by running groundbreaking legal cases, leading law reform and providing access to justice.
Defending the environment with and on behalf of First Nations peoples, community groups and individuals in the highest courts.
Holding government and industry to account over matters like development, pollution, and environmental destruction.
Designing and advocating for stronger state and federal environmental laws to protect our environment and native species.
