Skip to content
Stuart Highway Bridge and Railway crossing

Draft Katherine water allocation plan 2026-2036

The town of Katherine is located on the Tindall Limestone Aquifer, which stores large volumes of water. The water in this aquifer supports livelihoods, community wellbeing, recreation and is culturally important to Aboriginal people of Katherine. As the Territory’s third largest town, with expected population growth and economic development, securing the water supply for the diverse range of sectors, industries and values that rely on water is important. Therefore, a water plan has been in place for Katherine since 2009.Water allocation plans within Daly Roper Beetaloo water control district 

The current Katherine Tindall Limestone Aquifer Water Allocation Plan 2024–2026 will expire on 16 February 2026.

The Department of Lands, Planning and Environment is developing a new 10-year water plan for Katherine (2026–2036), which will be declared by the Minister for Water Resources in 2026. This will be the fifth iteration of the Katherine water plan.

A draft of the new plan has been prepared with input from the Daly River Water Advisory Committee. The Committee includes representatives from agriculture, tourism, recreational fisheries, Aboriginal communities, and commerce.

Wider public consultation will run from 13 October to 10 November 2025, giving you the opportunity to have your say. 

The draft Katherine water allocation plan is made up of three core documents:

Katherine water plan 2026–2036

  • Establishes the Estimated Sustainable Yield (ESY) for the plan area
  • Defines the rules for managing water

Katherine water plan 2026-2036: Background report 

  • Explains the science, data, and processes that informed the plan
  • Summarises the environmental values that depend on water, as well as the social and development context, including current and projected water use

Katherine water plan 2026-2036: Implementation actions

  • Outlines a work program to build knowledge and support adaptive water management over the 10-year term of the plan.
  • Details the program for continuous assessment of the region’s water resources, including monitoring, data collection, and analysis of water quantity, quality, and use throughout the life of the plan
1.  

Submission choice:

Select option
Select option
4.  

I can confirm that I have read: 

5.  

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

6.  

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

7.  

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

8.  

Do you think the Estimated Sustainable Yield (ESY) of 39,000 ML/year is appropriately balanced between the environment and use? 

9.  

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

10.  

Do you think including the Katherine water plan as a part of the larger Daly River plan is the right approach?

11.  

The water plan identifies three main risks: reduced quantity of water in the region, reduced water quality in the region and the water plan does not share water for the benefit for the Katherine region. 

Do the implementation actions address these risks? 

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

13.  

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

Maximum 255 characters

0/255

15.  

Please provide your contact details

16.  

Would you like to receive an annual update on water resource management for the area?

17.  

Are you confident the Katherine plan will protect the water resources?

18.  

Do you give permission for your submission to be published?