Media reports this week reveal a rampant ‘water grab’ in the NT.

A conflict is brewing over the Northern Territory’s management and allocation of water resources, raising concerns about the future of the region's iconic natural sites and the legality of burgeoning agricultural practices. 

The centre of this controversy is the widespread issuance of substantial water licences by the NT government, a move that many believe threatens both the environment and the rights of Indigenous communities.

The NT Government has been criticised for distributing large water licences at no cost to developers, who are keen to capitalise on what they hope will be the next agricultural boom. 

This allocation is particularly controversial due to the recent introduction of cotton as a major crop in the region. 

Although cotton has become a key player in NT's agricultural strategy, it is rarely mentioned in official documents, which some attribute to its controversial nature.

The legal standing of cotton cultivation in the NT is dubious, particularly because much of it occurs on pastoral leases - public lands traditionally meant for grazing cattle. 

The NT government has not addressed the legality of this practice, leading to growing concerns among environmentalists and legal experts.

Adding to these concerns is the impact of water extraction on the NT's fragile ecosystems. 

The region's rivers, springs, and ancient groundwater networks are critical to its biodiversity, and the allocation of large water licences for agriculture is already taking its toll. 

Groundwater levels, particularly around the tourist hub of Mataranka, have been steadily declining, threatening the survival of species like the Livistona palms, which are dependent on this water source.

More details are available here.