Northern Territory Country Hour NT Country Hour
Aug 27, 2025
Nerida Beard, the Acting Executive Director of Water Resources with the Northern Territory, discusses upcoming water plans for the Katherine and Daly River regions. She highlights the importance of collaboration among local growers and Aboriginal groups in water management. The conversation also touches on the reliance on diesel fuel and innovative energy solutions to reduce environmental impacts. Additionally, they explore the impressive $350,000 sale of a Wagyu heifer, showcasing the thriving livestock genetics sector.
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Catherine Plan Prioritises Flexible Water Use
- The new Catherine Water Plan reconfirms sustainable yield but changes policy to let water be reallocated where it's best used.
- It streamlines trades under 500 megalitres and aligns unused water recovery with announced allocations.
Underuse Enables Water Trading
- The Catherine region is not overallocated: 39,000 ML entitlement vs 35,000 ML licensed and only ~40% actually used.
- This under-use makes water trading a practical way to move resources to active growers.
Plan Updates Fit Broader Basin Strategy
- The Catherine plan updates planning methods and recognises interconnections across rivers and aquifers.
- The department plans a broader Daly River Basin plan in coming years to integrate multiple systems.