A group of local residents from the Northern Territory’s Gulf region have travelled to Canberra to advocate for better water protections. They say they will be meeting with Senators and calling for a royal commission and funding to set up an Indigenous water governance body.
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00:00On their way to Canberra, these community leaders say they'll be pleading with federal politicians to pay attention.
00:09We can feel the water crying for help and we're crying for help.
00:13We worry about our land and water and we need the land for our kids when they grow up.
00:22Their trip follows a Four Corners investigation that alleged water license mismanagement, unethical deals and a disregard for traditional owners.
00:32The previous Northern Territory government was adamant water was being managed sustainably, but this group says it's time for federal intervention.
00:42It's the agriculture around in our region and cotton that's causing the aquifer to slowly use up the water.
00:52This year we've seen a massive drop from our waterways which affected all our fishing spots, our favourite fishing spots.
01:02They're bone dry now as we speak.
01:05Melissa is from the remote community of Nuka, which relies on the nearby Roper River remaining healthy.
01:11We're worried that we're probably getting kicked out from our community because we won't have any water.
01:18Among their requests, the group will be seeking a royal commission into water and land management and an Indigenous water governance body.