Darwin rural water control district
| Control district area | 4,458 km2 |
|---|---|
| Declared | 2 June 1999 |
| Gazette number | G31 1999 PDF (333.2 KB) |
| Control district map | Darwin rural water control district map |
Water control districts (WCDs) in the Northern Territory (NT) are areas that need increased management of water resources.
The Darwin rural WCD covers Acacia, Humpty Doo, Lambells Lagoons and Berry Springs.
The region has a complex hydrogeology formation with 13 significant aquifers.
The Berry Springs dolostone aquifer is covered by a water allocation plan. This aquifer is approximately 90km2 with an average depth of 20 metres below ground. However, some depths are up to 199 metres below the ground.
More than 326 registered bores extract water from the Berry Springs aquifer. As a bore user, you should know how to maintain and manage your bore use, especially during a poor wet season.
Usually, the recharge of this aquifer is about 30 to 40% of the annual rainfall, or approximately 1,636mm each year.
Water allocation plans
Water allocation plans identify how much water can be taken from groundwater and surface water resources while protecting the resource and environment.
They establish Aboriginal water reserves and enable trade of water entitlements.
The WCD has one water allocation plan covering the Berry Springs dolostone aquifer. Read more about the Berry Springs water allocation plan.
A plan is being developed for the Howard groundwater system, which covers an area of 1,462m2.
The Howard Water Advisory Committee will advise the government to represent horticulture, indigenous, local government, rural residents and other interests through the plan.
Developing a plan for this system will help ensure other nearby aquifers are managed sustainably.
Licensing and permits
You need a licence or permit for activities within this WCD.
Water management rules apply to anyone wanting to access and use water within the WCD.
This includes applying for:
- water extraction licences to take surface and groundwater
- bore construction permits.
Exemptions
Water for rural stock and domestic use is exempt from licensing under section 11 and 14 of the Water Act 1992.
An exemption also applies if the combined groundwater use from all bores on a parcel of land extracting groundwater is less than 5 megalitres per year. Get Gazette S109 2018 PDF (176.4 KB).
Small rural dams and some forms of road and drainage works are exempt PDF (247.8 KB) from needing an interference with a waterway permit.
Contact
If you have any questions about permits or licensing requirements in the area, email water.licensing@nt.gov.au.
For water planning enquires, email waterresources@nt.gov.au.