Protecting the environment

Adelaide River Off-stream Water Storage (AROWS) project is an innovative approach that provides complementary outcomes of water availability and environmental sustainability. One key characteristic of AROWS is that it does not require any dam infrastructure to be built across Adelaide River that would impede the flow of the river, minimising the impact on the environment.

The Northern Territory (NT) Government is committed to working with the community, scientists, and environmental and engineering experts to find the right balance of environmental conservation and maintaining a great Territory lifestyle. We understand that finding the right balance to protect the river ecosystem is important.

The NT Government engaged GHD Pty Ltd in April 2023 to undertake an environment impact statement (EIS) report for AROWS. An EIS is a series of environmental assessments that will be packaged into a report and is referred to the NT Environmental Protection Authority (NT EPA) for approval.

As part of the EIS process, GHD will be engaging with stakeholders and community to understand the cultural and social values of the potentially impacted environment. Once all assessments are completed and an EIS report has been submitted to the NT EPA, community will have the opportunity to comment and provide their views.

The NT Government is committed to ensuring that impacts to the environment are minimised when delivering the AROWS project

Water allocation plans aim to protect the environment and equitably share the available water between users, to ensure the long term sustainability of the water resource. Water allocation plans are developed through technical and scientific assessments, and extensive community participation and consultation.

A water allocation plan is being developed for the Adelaide River Catchment, which AROWS will be regulated under.

To find out more about water allocation plans, go to the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security website.