Draft Alice Springs water allocation plan 2026-2036

About the Alice Springs water plan

The Alice Springs plan area is in the heart of Australia. The climate is hot and arid characterised by low average annual rainfall, very high evapotranspiration and pronounced inter-annual variability. There are no permanent rivers or surface water sources. This means groundwater is the only reliable water supply for the town of Alice Springs.

As the Northern Territory’s second largest town, Alice Springs is expected to grow. With population growth and economic development, it is important to secure water for homes, businesses, industry, agriculture and the environment. A water plan has been in place for Alice Springs since 2007 to help manage and protect this vital resource.

The current Alice Springs Water Allocation Plan 2016–2026 will expire on 15 February 2026.

The Department of Lands, Planning and Environment is developing a new 10-year water plan for 2026–2036. This will be the third water plan for Alice Springs. It will be declared by the Minister for Water Resources in 2026.

The new plan will continue to:

Protect key groundwater resources
Set limits on how much water can be taken
Manage how water is used

We welcome your comments and suggestions to improve the plan. Public consultation will run from 16 February to 17 March 2026. During this time, you can review the draft plan and have your say.

The draft Alice Springs Water Allocation Plan 2026–2036 includes three main documents:

Water Plan 2026–2036

Sets the Estimated Sustainable Yield (ESY) — the amount of water that can be taken each year without harming the resource
Defines the rules for managing and allocating water

Background Report

Explains the science, data and methods used to develop the plan
Describes the environmental values that depend on water
Summarises the social and economic context, including current and future water use

Implementation Actions

Outlines a 10-year work program
Supports adaptive water management
Details ongoing monitoring, data collection and analysis of water quantity, quality and use

Submission choice:

Take the online survey

Upload a submission

Both

Are you making this submission on behalf of organisation?

Select option

Which of the following options best describes your interest in the plan?

Select option

I can confirm that I have read:

Alice Springs water allocation plan 2026–2036

Alice Springs background report 2026–2036

Alice Springs implementation actions 2026–2036

No, I haven't read the documents

Do you think the water science and other information contained in the background report clearly and logically explained?

Yes

Do you think the water plan and background report reflect the environmental, social, cultural and/or economic values of the Alice Springs region?

Yes

Does the plan provide for the best use of the water resource?

Yes

Estimated Sustainable Yield (ESY) is the amount of water we can safely take out after making sure there is enough left for the environment, and for people’s social and cultural needs. Is this clearly explained in the plan?

Select option

Do you think the Estimated Sustainable Yield (ESY) of 24,670 ML/year is appropriately balanced between the environment and use?

Yes

No- more water for the environment

No-more water security for Alice Spring town, homes and drinking water

No-more water for economic development and regional businesses

No (specify the reason)

10.

Do you understand the arrangements for Aboriginal water reserve and water trade?

Yes

11.

The water plan identifies three main risks: reduced quantity of water in the region, reduced water quality in the region and the social and economic benefits of water use not realised for the benefit for the Alice Spring region.

Do the implementation actions address these risks?

Yes

12.

What do you see as the biggest risk to water security in Alice Spring over the next 10 years?

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

13.

Are you confident the Alice Spring plan will protect the water resources?

Yes

14.

What opportunities should the plan support in future?

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

15.

Would like to be added to a register for ongoing involvement in the management of this water resource?

Yes

16.

Please provide your contact details

First and last name

Postcode of where you live

17.

Do you give permission for your submission to be published?

Yes