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Environment & Climate

Northern Territory bill would scrap environmental water requirement, critics say

The Guardian reports that Northern Territory legislation would remove a legal requirement to reserve water for ecosystems, drawing condemnation from conservation and Indigenous groups.

Updated Nov 1, 2026 · 15:24 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • The Guardian reports the Northern Territory government plans to change rules governing how much ground and surface water industry can take.[The Guardian]
  • If passed, the bill would scrap a legal requirement that water allocation plans reserve water for rivers, wetlands and ecosystems.[The Guardian]
  • The Wilderness Society and Central Land Council condemned the move, and the Wilderness Society urged federal withholding of water funding.[The Guardian]
  • Environment Minister Joshua Burgoyne denies the bill dismantles safeguards, and federal minister Murray Watt declined to comment.[The Guardian]

Key facts

  • The Northern Territory government plans to change water rules governing how much ground and surface water industry can take.[The Guardian]
  • The proposed changes would scrap a legal requirement that water allocation plans set aside water for the environment, including rivers, springs and wetlands.[The Guardian]
  • The changes are part of a larger package that would also alter marine pollution, heritage and mining legislation.[The Guardian]
  • The Wilderness Society chief executive Kirsty Howey described the move as an attack on nature and called for federal withholding of water funding if the bill passed.[The Guardian]
  • The Central Land Council said the territory government was trying to covertly remove the last remaining protections in the use and management of water.[The Guardian]
  • A quoted statement says the High Court in August quashed the Singleton Station licence decision because it had been unlawfully granted.[The Guardian]
  • Environment Minister Joshua Burgoyne denied the bill dismantles environmental safeguards.[The Guardian]
  • Federal environment minister Murray Watt declined to comment.[The Guardian]

What remains uncertain

  • The bill has not been confirmed as passed, so the proposed changes may be amended or dropped.[The Guardian]
  • Whether the changes weaken environmental safeguards is disputed; the environment minister denies it, while conservation and Indigenous groups say it does.[The Guardian]
  • The federal government's response is unknown, as Watt declined to comment on calls to withhold water funding.[The Guardian]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.