The Northern Territory and Federal Governments are investing $8 million in the Community Infrastructure Assessment project, which will allow for water services in 55 remote communities to be assessed.
The project will provide an engineering analysis of essential water services and viable solutions to secure water supplies and how to unlock community growth and identify development opportunities.
The Federal Government will also be investing $2.3 million to develop a detailed business case for the expansion of the Ord Irrigation Expansion project.
The project will assess the potential for the Ord River Irrigation Scheme to cross the Western Australia border and into the Northern Territory for agricultural development at the Weber plains precinct, and it will also assess the economic returns of expanding the scheme along with agricultural and regional development opportunities.
Federal Minister for the Environment, Tanya Plibersek, said that most Australians would be shocked to learn that tens of thousands of people in remote communities still don’t have access to healthy drinking water.
“Our government is working with the Northern Territory Government and remote communities to identify, plan and deliver water security projects,” Ms Plibersek said.
“This announcement builds on the more than $50 million we’re investing in water projects in Northern Territory communities like Milingimbi, Yuendemu, Maningrida and Yirrkala.”
Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water Security, Kate Worden, said, “Water is such an important resource for the Northern Territory. Having reliable and clean drinking water is important for health and has the potential to unlock development in remote areas.”
“The 55 remote communities that will benefit from this investment and the project will allow for the identification of further improvement in water supply.
“The Lawler Labor Government invests in the bush and projects like these continue our work to Close the Gap for indigenous communities.”
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