Proponent: Department of Logistics and Infrastructure
Overview
The Department of Logistics and Infrastructure proposes the construction, commissioning and operation of the Adelaide River Off-stream Water Storage (AROWS). Located adjacent to the Adelaide River in the Coomalie and Litchfield shires, approximately 55 km south east of Darwin, and 5 km north of Lake Bennett, AROWS is expected to deliver up to 60 gigalitres annually to the Darwin regional water supply system. The project is expected to have an operational lifespan of 100 years.
On 15 April 2025, the NT EPA suspended the assessment in accordance with regulation 88 of the Environment Protection Regulations 2020 to confirm the bilateral agreement will apply; and the matters to be included in the terms of reference (TOR) for an environmental impact assessment (EIS). The NT EPA recommenced the EIA process (in accordance with EP Regulation 88(2)) and approved the AROWS TOR on 13 May 2025.
The proposed action is a 'controlled action' under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Number: 2025/10101). The relevant controlling provision is:
- Listed threatened species and communities (sections 18 and 18A)
- Listed migratory species (sections 20 and 20A).
Stage 1: Referral
NT EPA notices
- Notice of decision to accept referral for standard assessment - 5 December 2024 PDF (538.5 KB)
- Notice of decision and statement of reasons - assessment by EIS - 15 April 2025 PDF (97.0 KB)
- Notice of decision on terms of reference for an EIS - 13 May 2025 PDF (72.4 KB)
Public consultation
Statutory notice (13 January 2025)
The NT EPA published a statutory notice on 13 January 2025 inviting public comment on a referral for a standard assessment submitted by the Department of Logistics and Infrastructure to construct and operate the Adelaide River Off-stream Water Storage (AROWS).
Interested persons were invited to make a submission by 25 February 2025. The NT EPA published the notice in accordance with regulation 52(1) of the Environment Protection Regulations 2020.
Documents
| Referral | Type |
|---|---|
| Referral form | PDF 2.2 MB |
| Referral main report | PDF 19.5 MB |
| Appendix A - Publication statement | PDF 151.4 KB |
| Appendix B - Glossary of key terms | PDF 195.2 KB |
| Appendix C - AROWS threatened species assessment | PDF 7.0 MB |
| Appendix D - Hydrology Impact Assessment | PDF 18.5 MB |
| Appendix E - Air Quality Assessment | PDF 10.2 MB |
| Statement of reasons | PDF 183.7 KB |
| Draft terms of reference | PDF 522.3 KB |
In accordance with section 281(2) of the Environment Protection Act 2019, the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority (AAPA) Authority Certificate that forms part of the referral information for AROWS has been withheld from publication.
* This submission is withheld from publication at the request of a submitter and in accordance with regulation 269 of the Environment Regulations 2020.
Terms of reference
| Terms of reference for an environmental impact statement | Type |
|---|---|
| Terms of reference for an EIS - 13 May 2025 | PDF 1.2 MB |