FOI shows Eva Lawler approved controversial plan in two days
The Georgina Wiso Water Allocation plan which covers an area from the Daly River to south of Tennant Creek allows 210 billion litres to be pumped from ground water every year. It’s the NT's largest water plan to date controversially approved late last year by an Acting minister who took just two working days to consider it.
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00:00For years, there were no rules governing how much water can be sustainably pumped from
00:08the aquifer that feeds two iconic rivers, the Daly and the Roper, and the government
00:14has been heavily pushing water-thirsty development.
00:18It's very clear that we have a thoroughly compromised and broken system of land and
00:23water management in the Northern Territory.
00:26Freedom of Information documents shared with the ABC reveal Eva Lawler, the Northern Territory's
00:31current Chief Minister, approved the allocation plan without a Water Advisory Committee, which
00:38would have provided critical advice, while the Environment Minister was on holiday and
00:43taking only two days to consider the implications.
00:47I don't think two days is a rush.
00:49That gave me plenty of time if I have a briefing to be able to read a report and respond to
00:54that report.
00:55How can you have the biggest water allocation in the Territory's history being signed off
01:00by a Minister in an acting capacity in less than two business days?
01:05It beggars belief and it really raises some very serious questions about the nature of
01:12decision making in the Northern Territory.
01:14The Ministerial Brief runs almost 100 pages and is marked high priority.
01:20It includes references to concerns from environmental groups over water mining for fracking in the
01:25Beetaloo Basin, a letter from the powerful Northern and Central Land Councils stating
01:30issues need to be resolved before they can support the plan, and concerns over the lack
01:35of a Water Advisory Committee.
01:38Despite this, Eva Lawler defended her decision this week.
01:42Just be clear, I was the Environment Minister, I think probably for three or four years,
01:45so have had lots of briefings, lots of understanding of the issues around water as well.
01:52Despite the assurances, environmental groups are questioning the NT Government's management
01:57of water in the face of big business.