Water Management

The Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security invited public comment on the Draft Mataranka Water Allocation Plan 2024 - 2034.

Public submission closed on 6 June 2024.

The submissions that were received are now available to download in the draft Mataranka plan public submissions  documents section on the right hand side.

A consultation summary is currently being drafted.

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The Mataranka water allocation plan area is located within the Daly Roper Beetaloo Water Control District. The plan seeks to manage groundwater associated with the Tindall Limestone Aquifer, which sustains the iconic springs of Elsey National Park, Rainbow and Bitter Springs, dry season flows in the Roper River, a range of cultural, recreational and spiritual values, as well as farming, grazing and tourism businesses.

This will be the first water allocation plan for this region. It shares a boundary with the Georgina Wiso plan to the south (declared 2023) and the Katherine plan to the north (declared 2019).

The plan will cover 3 groundwater management zones:

1. North Mataranka
2. South Mataranka
3. Larrimah

Land and water suitability assessments conducted in parts of the plan area have identified land suitable for irrigated agriculture with access to the Tindall Limestone Aquifer.

Before you provide feedback please read the:

1. Background Report - Information about the water resource, its values and use
2. Water Allocation Plan – Estimated sustainable yield, allocation to beneficial uses, trading water
3. Implementation Actions – Monitoring and management of the resource

Key messages have been prepared to summarise the main features of the plan and assist with any question you may have.

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