Designating Eligible Land for Aboriginal Water Reserve in Alice Springs water allocation plan 2026-2036

Aboriginal water reserves are a portion of water set aside in a water plan for the economic benefit of eligible Aboriginal land holders. Eligible landholders are listed in a water plan. Twelve land parcels have been identified for the Aboriginal Water Reserve in the draft Alice Springs water allocation plan 2026-2036.

Aboriginal land holders can help identify any parcels that may have been unintentionally overlooked due to the complexities of land titles and ownership records.

Eligible Aboriginal landholders are the registered owners of land in a water plan area that is identified as either:

• Aboriginal land under the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976
• exclusive possession native title land
• Aboriginal freehold land

To be eligible, the land must also be greater than 1 hectare and have access to the water resource managed under the plan. Eligibility criteria are set out in the Water Act 1992 (NT) (Water Act).

You can check whether your property falls within the plan boundary by visiting the Check the map page.

If you think your land may be eligible for the Alice Springs Aboriginal Water Reserve take the survey, or contact Water Resources on WaterResources.DLPE@nt.gov.au or 08 8999 4455. Public consultations will be open from 16 February to 17 March 2026.