Gove water control district

Water control districts in the Northern Territory (NT) are areas that need increased management of water resources.

The Gove water control district (WCD) was initially declared in the 1960s, when the bauxite mine and township were established to manage water use in the region.

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.

There are no water allocation plans for the Gove WCD and none are proposed at this stage.

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 and
• bore construction permits.

There is one licence for public water supply.

View licences.

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 located 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.