Work on the $134 million Manton Dam Return to Service project is now underway, with expected completion set for 2026.
The project supports the Northern Territory Government’s strategic efforts to supply Territorians with safe, reliable, secure water now and into the future.
The Manton Dam project will enable an additional 14GL of useable water storage capacity and make 7,300GL per annum available for productive use.
Once complete, this project will provide an additional 7.3GL per annum to the Darwin region each year, which is the equivalent of 2,920 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
The project consists of three significant packages of work, all due for completion by mid-2026:
- Upgrading the existing dam inlet tower, the construction of a new 20ML/day pump station
- The installation of a new pipeline from Manton to Strauss (Stuart Highway/Cox Peninsula Rd)
- Construction of a new 20ML/day water treatment plant at Strauss
This project is a partnership between the Northern Territory Government and the Federal Government’s National Water Grid (NWG), which will see more than $300 million invested in the Darwin Region Water Supply Infrastructure Program to secure a long-term sustainable water supply by 2031.
Northern Territory Chief Minister, Eva Lawler, said that the Manton Dam Return to Service has reached a significant milestone with work now underway to secure the territory’s water supply into the future.
“This $134 million project will get Territorians working. My government will continue to invest in projects that creates jobs for Territorians,” Ms Lawler said.
“This is an important project to secure sustainable solutions that protect our environment and maintain our great Territory lifestyle.”
As well as returning Manton Dam to service, the NWG program also includes the Adelaide River Off-Stream Water Storage (AROWS) project.
The $134 million design and construction tender was successfully awarded to Exact Contracting Pty Ltd in May 2024.
Power and Water will apply additional treatment measures to ensure that the water sourced from the dam meets stringent drinking water quality standards.
Manton Dam will remain a recreational resource and a recreation management plan will be developed in collaboration with the Northern Territory Government and in consultation with Territorians.
Northern Territory Minister for Essential Services, Kate Worden, said “Water is a very important resource and securing our water supply will help the Northern Territory build our economy to $40 billion by 2030.
“The Manton Dam Return to Service project and the AROWS project will play a major role in the Territory’s economic growth over the next 50 years.
“The Territory Labor Government owns our power and water infrastructure. Because we own it we can make these investments to secure the drinking water and power supply of Territorians,” Ms Worden said.
Federal Member for Solomon, Luke Gosling, said that this project is needed to secure a supply of safe, reliable drinking water for Darwin and Palmerston into the future.
“The Northern Territory is stronger under the leadership of a Labor Government at home and in Canberra and this project is another example of that,” Mr Gosling said.
Federal Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour, applauded the Federal and Northern Territory governments’ initiative to return water at Manton Dam to a serviceable level and secure a future supply of safe and reliable drinking water for the Darwin and Palmerston region.
“This key water security project is critical to meeting Darwin’s productive needs and those of its growing population. I am confident the $300 million committed from the Australian Government’s National Water Grid Fund will deliver the necessary infrastructure to meet stringent water quality standards and ensure the Darwin and Palmerston region’s economic viability well into the future,” Ms Scrymgour said.
Featured image: Alan Hort/Shutterstock.com
