With a breathtaking mix of weathered landscapes, vast plains, rivers, wetlands and coastal and marine environments, the Darwin Harbour Catchment holds significant social, economic, environmental and cultural importance within the Top End Community. Covering 3227sq km, the Catchment stretches from the cities of Darwin and Palmerston extending as far south as Darwin River Dam to the outskirts of Humpty Doo, the Cox Peninsula and the settlements of Belyeun and Wagait Beach.
The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is an independent body that advises the Northern Territory Government, business and the community on matters of ecological sustainable development. The Authority's primary focus is the investigation of issues within the Northern Territory environmental legislative and policy environment in order to provide public recommendations to the Minister for Natural Resources, Environment and Heritage. The EPA is currently reviewing the Northern Territory's environmental impact assessment procedures. The EPA can also accept third party referrals to provide policy level advice on environmental matters.
The Mary River is located 90kms east of Darwin in the Northern Territory with a catchment that covers an area of 8100 km2 with predominately freshwater wetlands extending over approximately 1,300 km2. It is a highly productive area which supports multiple land uses as well as providing habitat for a large range of wildlife, including saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus, magpie goose Anseranas semipalmata and barramundi Lates calcarifer.
A wide range of management reforms for better use of water resources has already been completed by the NT and independently assessed by the National Competition Council and the National Water Commission. The National Water Initiative (NWI) has been endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments to drive more reforms for better water management and use to the year 2011.
The Weed Management Branch works to continually preserve and improve our natural resources, industries, life styles and environment from the introduction and spread of weeds. Weed Management Branch activities include exclusion, eradication where possible, survey & control, data management, education, and in cooperation with other agencies and states integrated management including biological control.
Sustaining the quality of the Territory environment is dependent on adopting acceptable and sustainable waste management practices and thereby minimising the risk of pollution and degradation of the environment. A list of services provided by Waste Management and licensing is included, detailing acts and regulations, applying for approval and licensing and the Waste Management Pollution Control Register.
Protecting our precious water resources is essential to our natural Territory lifestyle. Water quality management goals, appropriate indicators of water quality and water quality objectives are developed to protect the required values and beneficial uses. Water quality monitoring can be undertaken using chemical or biological testing indicators. Information on relevant acts and regulations can be found through the links.