OUR WATER FUTURE Discussion Paper: A Conversation with Territorians CASE STUDY 6 Resource assessment for growth and development Demonstration of Strategic Priority 4: Enhance assessment and monitoring of water resources The Department of Land Resource Management (DLRM) has the responsibility to advise government of areas that are potentially suitable for agricultural development, utilising natural resources, through robust scientific assessment. This is undertaken through rigorous field surveys that require assessment and mapping of various land units, soil types and vegetation across the Northern Territory. This enables determination of the potential suitability and productivity of land resources and if it is conducive to agricultural purposes and ultimately, economic development. Assessment of available water resources is critical in determining the land suitability and capability. This is undertaken by hydro-geologists and the deployment of drilling rigs to find and characterise the size, capacity and yield of underlining aquifers, to analyse the water that could be used to support agricultural development. A team of DLRM land and water resource scientists have completed an intensive investigation and mapping of 10 000 ha of land and water suitability for agricultural development on the Tiwi Islands. The NT Government, has committed $2.4M per annum for four years from 2015/15 to 2017/18 toward new land and water suitability assessment teams. This is critical to developing an understanding of how to best develop the North and will foster agricultural development in precincts away from established agricultural areas, which are rapidly approaching full utilisation of the land and water resources. The funding enabled recruitment of suitability qualified staff, data collection, mapping and assessment of land and water resources and information for pastoralists, Indigenous groups and other landholders, to further develop agricultural and horticultural enterprises. Provision of land and water information to investors can potentially de-risk business ventures with a greater understanding of the land and development potential. Areas such as Wildman River, Larrimah, Mataranka North, Elliott, Ali Curung and Ti-Tree have been identified as suitable for further investigation and are close to transport spines and have some existing infrastructure. DLRM staff are undertaking a land resource survey covering 20 000ha in the Larrimah area, to identify and map good quality agricultural soils. DLRM’s land and water suitability assessment plays a key role aiding the government achieve its vision in the Framing the Future’s development of the Northern Territory. The Northern Territory is highly committed and a lead player in the Commonwealth Government’s Developing Northern Australia Green Paper, particularly in the spheres of land use and Indigenous economic development, demonstrating the Government’s vision for investing in the Northern Territory, to unlock and accelerate development of northern Australia for nationwide benefits. For more information contact: Water Resources Division P: 08 8999 4455 | E : [email protected] www.nt.gov.au/water