Water extraction licence application categories
To extract water in the Northern Territory (NT), you must apply for a water extraction licence.
As part of your application, you must provide the information required for a proper decision to be made.
The type of information required will generally be based on the:
- volume of water you are requesting
- location and its site-specific factors.
The controller of water resources will use this information to make a decision on your application.
The application categories below provide guidance on the information that is generally required in support of an application. You may also be required to provide additional information depending on the circumstances of your application.
Application categories
Applications may fit into one of two categories:
- simple application
- complex application.
If your application doesn't have everything required to make a decision, it will be returned to you for further information.
If you are unsure about what is required, email water.licensing@nt.gov.au.
Simple applications for groundwater extraction licences are appropriate if you are either:
- seeking less than 500 ML per year in a water allocation plan area
- seeking less than 500 ML per year in the Darwin rural water control district
- sourcing from a local scale aquifer - see licensing areas map PDF (1.4 MB).
What you need to apply
- A description of the project and a map with the:
- location of existing or proposed bore
- location of where the water will be used
- method and route of moving the water
- the lands adjoining the project location
- A development plan, which could include how the project will be implemented, and any other required approvals
- Information about water availability at the site
- An outline of the proposed water use for the life of project
- include a discussion about variation in use between wet and dry season, or the projected change of water use during the development - eg. as trees establish and mature
- Identification of bores in a 5km radius (groundwater application only) - use the hydrocensus template XLSX (9.7 KB)
- Identification of groundwater dependent ecosystems (GDE) or any sensitive sites within a 5km radius
Complex applications are for water extraction licences that are either:
- surface water applications
- seeking more than 500ML per year within a water allocation plan area
- extracting groundwater from an intermediate or regional scale aquifer outside of a water allocation plan area
- seeking a water licence for the beneficial use of mining or petroleum activity
- applications relating to an activity that requires an environment impact assessment (EIA)
- multiple simple applications from the same applicant for nearby locations.
What you need to apply
Complex applications need a completed application to take water PDF (276.4 KB).
The application should also include:
- a description of the project
- a map of the area
- a development plan
- the name of the resource that water is proposed to be taken from
- the extraction coordinates that water is proposed to be taken from
- information about water availability at the site
- projected water requirements for the life of the project
- identification of bores in a 5 to 10km radius (groundwater only - the radius is relative to the volume applied for, contact the department for more information)
- identification of groundwater dependent ecosystems and / or any other sensitive receptors in a 5 to 10km radius (if applicable - the radius is relative to the volume applied for, contact the department for more information)
- identification of the specific yield and transmissivity of the water resource at the proposed extraction points (if requested)
- analytical identification of the radius and depth of impact (if requested)
- site assessment of groundwater dependent ecosystems and any other sensitive receptors in a 5 to 10km radius (if applicable)
- analytical or numerical modelling report (if requested)
- monitoring plan (if requested)
- adaptative management plan (if requested).
Summary of supporting information
The table below is a summary of additional information you need to submit with your application.
GDE means groundwater dependent ecosystem.
| Additional information required | Simple | Complex |
|---|---|---|
| Project description | X | X |
| A map of the area | X | X |
| Development / mine management / environment management plan | X | X |
| Name of the resource the water is proposed to be taken from | X | X |
| Extraction coordinates that the water is proposed to be taken from | X | X |
| Water availability at the site | X | X |
| Proposed water use for life of project | X | X |
| Identification of bores in a 5km radius (groundwater only) | X | X |
| Identification of GDEs or any sensitive receptors for a 5km radius (if applicable) | X | X |
| Identification of the specific yield and transmissivity of the water resource | X | |
| Analytical identification of the radius and depth of impact (if requested) | X | |
| Site assessment of GDEs and/or any sensitive receptors in 5 to 10km radius (if applicable) | X | |
| Analytical or numerical modelling report (if requested) | ||
| Monitoring plan (if requested) | ||
| Adaptive management plan (if requested) |
Contact
For more information, email water.licensing@nt.gov.au.
- Water extraction licence
- Apply for a water extraction licence
- Apply for a head or sub-water licence
- Application categories
- Processing your licence application
- Request review of a decision made under the Water Act
- Rules and your responsibilities
- Submit a meter reading
- Renew, transfer or change your water licence
- Approved water extraction licences
- Water trading
- Water trade register