Beneficial Use Declarations
The Northern Territory Government is seeking community input into the declaration of beneficial uses for water bodies within the Darwin Harbour Catchment.
Beneficial Use Declarations are a legislated process under the NT Water Act 1992. They determine the level of protection and guide the management of particular water bodies. The review of the current declarations is one of the first initiatives of the Darwin Harbour Water Quality Protection Plan.
To determine the beneficial uses for Darwin Harbour waters the community must first determine the value they place on this natural asset and then nominate the most important use/s of each water body. The categories of Beneficial Uses include agriculture, cultural, aquaculture, public water supply (drinking water), environment, riparian and the manufacturing industry.
Community Information Sessions, led by the Chair of the Darwin Harbour Advisory Committee, John Bailey, will be held in Darwin and the rural areas in early May. These sessions will provide the community with an opportunity to learn more about Beneficial Use Declarations and how they can have their say about water quality.
Following community consultation, the Government will determine the environmental values required to attain and maintain the water quality for each water body according to the selected Beneficial Use Category.
For further information contact George Maly on 8999 4538 or email Wqpp.NRETA@nt.gov.au
