A new water plan for the Western Davenport, quietly released by the NT government, has reduced groundwater available for extraction and also cut allocations for Aboriginal economic development.
The amount of water available for extraction in the Western Davenport region has been cut by 70,705 megalitres.The water plan will be reviewed after three years, while its largest licence holder, Singleton Station , needs environmental approval before it can start using its 40,000 megalitre licence.
In response to questions from the ABC, the Minister for the Environment and Water Security Kate Worden said the declaration of a shorter plan with reduced allocations was a reflection of "significant consultation over a number of years". "During consultation, members of the Western Davenport water advisory committee suggested exploring the option of reducing the estimated sustainable yield to address concerns … including by traditional owners.
"We absolutely respect culture and the environment, but I think development is coming last in this race," he said. Because of that commitment to current water licences, the amount of water available for "Aboriginal economic development" in the region has been cut by about 8,000ML/year. "The Singleton licence now amounts to 86 per cent of the water available for consumptive uses like agriculture and industry, outside the Aboriginal water reserve," he said."This highlights the unacceptability of the Singleton licence, which will also damage ecosystems at a vast scale."Water extraction subject to conditions
Water Allocation Plan Groundwater Fortune Agribusiness Singleton Station Water Licences Kate Worden Nt Farmers Arid Lands Environment Centre
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