Joint media release: Investing in water security across the Northern Territory

The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for Environment and Water

The Hon Kate Worden, NT Minister for Environment, Climate Change and Water Security

The Albanese and Lawler Labor Governments are continuing to deliver cleaner and reliable drinking water to remote Northern Territory communities.

Water is vital for the future economic development of the Territory but, first and foremost, it needs to be used in a manner that does not compromise environmental and cultural values.

A joint investment of $8 million is being made to the Community Infrastructure Assessment project which will allow for water services in 55 remote communities to be assessed.

The project will provide an engineering analysis of essential water services and viable solutions to secure water supplies and how to unlock community growth and identify development opportunities.

The Federal Government is also investing $2.3 million to develop a detailed business case for the expansion of the Ord Irrigation Expansion project.

The project will assess the potential for the Ord River Irrigation Scheme to cross the Western Australia border and into the NT for agricultural development at the Weber plains precinct, and it will also assess the economic returns of expanding the scheme along with agricultural and regional development opportunities.

Both projects are an important part of the Albanese Government’s commitment to supporting economic growth in regional, remote and First Nations communities.

Quotes attributable to the Federal Minister for the Environment Tanya Plibersek:

“Most Australians would be shocked to learn that tens of thousands of people in remote communities still don’t have access to healthy drinking water.

“Our government is working with the NT Government and remote communities to identify, plan and deliver water security projects.

“This announcement builds on the more than $50 million we’re investing in water projects in NT communities like Milingimbi, Yuendemu, Maningrida and Yirrkala.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water Security Kate Worden:

“Water is such an important resource for the NT. Having reliable and clean drinking water is important for health and has the potential to unlock development in remote areas.

“The 55 remote communities that will benefit from this investment and the project will allow for the identification of further improvement in water supply.

“The Lawler Labor Government invests in the bush and projects like these continue our work to Close the Gap for indigenous communities.”