The Federal and Northern Territory governments have joined forces to fund new and upgraded water bores for remote First Nations communities in the territory.
The Better Bores for Communities program is backed by a combined $34.3 million investment, which includes $27.8 million from the Federal Government and $6.5 million from the Northern Territory Government.
The aim of the program is to improve water supply and quality, and support growth and development by providing greater certainty of water availability in seven communities and expanding water supply in three others.
These communities have a high to extreme risk of water source failure. This means the communities could run out of water or sources can become unusable.
Source failure may be caused by bores having declining performance or being contaminated due to damaged parts. Some borefields are unable to meet dry season demands.
The ten communities the projects will take place in are:
- Atitjere (also known as Harts Range)
- Wugularr
- Finke (also known as Aputula)
- Gapuwiyak
- Haasts Bluff
- Hermannsburg (also known as Ntaria)
- Robinson River (also known as Mungoorbada)
- Titjikala
- Warruwi
- Yuelamu
Some projects will focus on investigative work and others on equipping bores that already exist.
Of these projects, seven will involve drilling bores and testing water source viability – if successful, they may be equipped in a later phase of work – and three communities will have previously drilled bores equipped. This will include construction of mains and supporting electrical work to connect the bores to the water supply systems.
The National Water Grid Authority said that these works can lead to a range of benefits, including:
- Supporting liveability
- Enabling new development
- Development and expansion of services and facilities
- Supporting First Nations people to live on Country
- Supporting adaption and resilience to changing climate conditions
Power and Water Corporation will lead the works with water source exploration to begin in early 2025. All works are expected to be completed by 2027.
Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek, said that every Australian should be able to drink water from the tap, no matter where they live.
“That’s why we’re investing in projects to deliver critical water infrastructure projects in First Nations remote communities, ensuring they can remain living on Country,” Ms Plibersek said.
“We’re working with state and territory partners and First Nations organisations and representatives to close the gap on water security.”
Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said too many First Nations communities in the Northern Territory don’t have access to clean and reliable water.
“This funding demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to improving life outcomes for First Nations people,” Ms McCarthy said.
“The Albanese Government will continue to work closely with our state and territory partners and First Nations organisations and representatives across the country to identify, plan and deliver future water security projects.”
Federal Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour, congratulated the Federal and Northern Territory governments for the investment.
“Water from bores is a vital resource, especially in remote Australia where quality water supplies are often difficult to access, and rainfall may be irregular,” Ms Scrymgour said.
“Well functioning bores are a viable alternative for delivering safe and reliable water, while also lowering environmental impacts and enhancing community self-sufficiency and resilience.”
Northern Territory Minister for Housing, Local Government and Community Development, Steve Edgington said that this investment will address critical water needs in remote areas.
“Water is a resource many of us take for granted, but in remote Northern Territory communities, water stress remains a significant challenge,” Mr Edgington said.
“Many aquifers supplying community water have limited capacity and may be at risk of failure during extended dry periods, or in some instances, due to naturally occurring minerals in the water supply.
“Water availability is often the main obstacle to new housing and community infrastructure development, and contributes to broader issues such as overcrowding, poor health outcomes and exacerbates other social problems remote communities are facing.
“Without expansion of water source capacity in many communities, new houses cannot be built.”
Northern Territory Minister for Water Resources, Joshua Burgoyne, said, “This project is about more than just water supply. It’s about improving liveability, promoting economic opportunities, and supporting sustainable growth in these communities.
“Reliable water access is fundamental to reducing overcrowding, improving health outcomes, and driving positive social change. To improve the quality of life for Territorians in these communities, we need to improve access to, and quality of, water.
“We’re working closely with the Central Land Council, Northern Land Council, and the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) to ensure these projects have the support of local communities.”
Featured image: Brett/stock.adobe.com.au
