The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, Minister for the Environment and Water
The Hon Malarndirri McCarthy, Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator for the Northern Territory
The Hon Steve Edgington MLA, Minister for Housing, Local Government and Community Development
The Hon Joshua Burgoyne MLA, Minister for Water Resources
The Australian Government, in partnership with the Northern Territory Government, is investing $34.3 million to enhance water security and infrastructure across 10 remote NT communities.
The Better Bores for Communities program will improve water supply and quality, and support growth and development by providing greater certainty of water availability in 7 communities and expanding water supply in 3 others.
The Australian Government is contributing $27.8 million through its National Water Grid Fund, with the Northern Territory Government providing an additional $6.5 million.
The program will conduct water source investigations and bore drilling in the communities of Robinson River, Warruwi, Yuelamu, Titjikala, Finke, Atitjere and Gapuwiyak.
It will also install essential equipment to connect new water sources in the Wugularr, Haasts Bluff and Ntaria (Hermannsburg) communities.
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.
Quotes attributable to Minister for the Environment and Water, Tanya Plibersek:
"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.
"We're working with state and territory partners and First Nations organisations and representatives to Close the Gap on water security."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:
"Too many First Nations communities in the Northern Territory don't have access to clean and reliable water.
"This funding demonstrates the Albanese Labor Government's commitment to improving life outcomes for First Nations people.
"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."
Quotes attributable to Federal Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour:
"I congratulate the Australian and Northern Territory governments on funding nearly $35 million to enhance water security and infrastructure across 10 remote Aboriginal communities in my electorate of Lingiari. 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.
"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."
Quotes attributable to the Northern Territory Minister for Housing, Local Government and Community Development Steve Edgington:
"This investment will address critical water needs in remote areas.
"Water is a resource many of us take for granted, but in remote NT communities, water stress remains a significant challenge.
"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."
Quotes attributable to the Northern Territory Minister for Water Resources, Joshua Burgoyne:
"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."
