The CLP Government has outlined a number of environmental measures that will protect our pristine environment, streamline decision making and allow economic development in the Territory.
Minister for Lands, Planning and Environment and Water Resources Joshua Burgoyne said that we have world class environmental protections, and these measures will provide a strong foundation for economic growth and certainty for business investment.
“We are providing certainty to the environment and users of water through the declaration of water allocation plans in the Mataranka and Western Davenport regions.
“Both of these plans have been developed using the best available science and a comprehensive understanding of the water resource.”
The Mataranka Water Allocation Plan 2024-2034 is the first water allocation plan for the area, which covers over 9,000km2 and comprises three water management zones: North Mataranka, South Mataranka and Larrimah.
“The aquifer holds an estimated 32 million megalitres (ML) of water, with the estimated sustainable yield (ESY) for this allocation plan set at a maximum of 62,474 ML per year,” said Mr Burgoyne.
“Together, the ESY and the management rules preserve more than 90% of the dry season flows to the river.
“The plan protects the environmental value of the Roper River and iconic springs, providing water security to communities, and supporting economic development, including in the Larrimah agricultural precinct.”
Similarly, the Western Davenport Water Allocation Plan maintains the vast majority of water in the aquifer, with the ESY using only 0.6% of the groundwater storage throughout the 10-year life of the plan, or 0.06% per year.
“This means that 99.4% of the groundwater remains in the ground over the 10-year life of the plan,” said Mr Burgoyne.
Decisions to eliminate duplication to build a more efficient approvals system were also outlined as part of the environmental measures.
Acting on advice from the NT Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) Chair, Dr Paul Vogel, the requirement to refer all Environment Management Plans for petroleum activities to the NT EPA has been removed.
“This does not remove the NT EPA’s ability to call in any project application for formal assessment, nor does it remove my right to request the NT EPA’s advice for specific proposals,” Mr Burgoyne said.
Chair of the NT EPA, Dr Paul Vogel, said that he is confident the environmental regulator and regulatory framework for onshore petroleum in the NT is sufficiently robust to ensure the sustainable development of that industry.
Mr Burgoyne stated that the Government has also removed duplication in gas emissions policies in the NT.
“The Territory established the large emitters and gas emissions policies when there were no other policies to regulate greenhouse gas emissions.
“The Federal Government then introduced a nationally consistent approach to reducing emissions, so now we have tidied up and strengthened our processes.
“These matters are regulated through the Environment Protection Act and the Petroleum Environment Regulations.”
The Australian Government’s Safeguard Mechanism ensures a nationally consistent approach on how this important issue is regulated nationwide.
