Northern Australia Water Resource Assessment

We have been engaged by the Australian Government to undertake and deliver water resource assessments for three priority regions in northern Australia. We are working with northern jurisdictions, research partners and communities to undertake these assessments over the next three years.

The Assessment focuses on the:

• Fitzroy catchment, Western Australia
• Darwin catchments (Finniss, Adelaide, Mary, Wildman), Northern Territory)
• Mitchell catchment, Queensland.

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Map showing part of Northern Australia above the Tropic of Capricorn. Catchments are indicated by shaded areas and include:

• Fitzroy catchment (blue)
• Darwin catchment (green)
• Mitchell catchment (yellow).

Show text description

The project aims to identify the potential to increase water-related development opportunities in northern Australia. The studies include:

• evaluate the soil and water resources
• identify and evaluate water capture and storage options
• identify and test the commercial viability of irrigated agriculture opportunities
• assess potential environmental, social and economic impacts and risks of water resource and irrigation development.

This work is part of our engagement in delivery of the Australian Government's White Paper on Developing Northern Australia, for which one of the key initiatives is the development of northern Australia's water resources.

It builds on our previous success in delivering the Flinders and Gilbert Agricultural Resource Assessment, and a broader body of work contributing to the sustainable development of northern Australia. To view the proposed method reports and latest fact sheets for the project, click on the links below.

• Northern Australia Water Resource Assessment Method Reports
• Northern Australia Water Resource Assessment Fact Sheets

The Northern Australia Water Resource Assessment project is part of the Australian Government's Agricultural Competiveness White Paper, the government's plan for stronger farmers and a stronger economy.