Adelaide River Off-stream Water Storage Project

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NT Government commissioned a report to guide the economic recovery of the NT and achieve the ambitious goal for the NT to become a $40 billion economy by 2030, through increased private sector investment to grow key industries, jobs and create sustainable businesses. A key finding of the report was the need for a step change in the Territory’s approach to water to support its aspirations and plans for investment and economic growth.

Currently, the greater Darwin region’s reticulated network water is predominantly supplied from the Darwin River Dam (around 85%), which operates at or above its sustainable yield (and has for the past ten years). Water supply is supplemented through groundwater resources (around 15%) however, according to a report by PWC, this groundwater resource is largely over allocated. Even in the absence of any substantial increase in economic activity, the economic prosperity and long run economic contribution of Darwin is compromised by the available water supply and a lack of redundancy within the system.

If sufficient water is not made available, the ability for the NT to provide ongoing economic opportunities, livelihood improvements and secure employment will be compromised, and the overall economic prosperity of the greater Darwin region and Northern Australia will be constrained. – PWC