Great Artesian Basin water control district
| Control district area | 85,984 km2 |
|---|---|
| Declared | 3 February 2010 |
| Gazette number | G5 2010 PDF (182.7 KB) |
| Control district map | Great Artesian Basin water control district map |
Water control districts (WCDs) in the Northern Territory (NT) are areas that need increased management of water resources.
The Great Artesian Basin (GAB) WCD was declared in January 2010. The GAB is the largest underground water reserve in Australia.
The GAB Strategic Management Plan was developed in 2000 to create frameworks for sustainable water management and use within the GAB.
The plan was adopted by all governments responsible for GAB management.
Since 2010, water-based development within the WCD has been limited to stock and domestic use. The volumes of water being used are small and the chance of impact on environmental and cultural values are considered minimal.
A range of monitoring activities are being carried out to better understand the groundwater system and groundwater dependent ecosystem water dependencies. This will inform development of a water allocation plan should demand for water increase in the future.
The WCD covers 6% of NT and approximately 22% of Australia.
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 in the GAB WCD.
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.
Water extraction licences
There is currently one licence granted for public water supply.
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 enquiries, email waterresources@nt.gov.au.