Northern Australia is facing a severe water shortage crisis. With rising temperatures, more extreme droughts, and growing demands on limited water resources, many remote Indigenous communities are already struggling to access the clean water they need.
If decisive action isn’t taken soon, these problems will only get worse in the years ahead.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Northern Australia is running out of water due to climate change and growing water demands. Urgent action like better water management, infrastructure upgrades, conservation efforts, and sustainable development is needed to avoid a full-blown water crisis in the region.
In this comprehensive article, we’ll analyze the key causes of northern Australia’s emerging water crisis, assess where the greatest risks lie, profile some of the communities most impacted, outline potential mitigation strategies and policy solutions, and highlight what role individuals can play in being part of the solution.
Key Drivers of Northern Australia’s Looming Water Shortages
Increasing Temperatures and Drought
Northern Australia has seen a steady rise in average temperatures over the past few decades, with recent years being among the hottest on record (CSRO). This warming trend has been accompanied by more frequent and intense drought events that put immense strain on already limited water resources.
Overallocation of Limited Water Resources
Water resources in Northern Australia are finite and vulnerable. However, allocation limits have not always kept pace with the rising demands from agricultural expansion, mining activities, and population growth (ANU).
This overallocation increases the risk of irreversible damage during times of drought.
Aging and Inadequate Water Infrastructure
Much of the water infrastructure in remote parts of Northern Australia is outdated and in poor condition. Leaking pipes, channels, and dams lead to wasted water resources. Upgrading this infrastructure is essential but challenging due to the vast distances and costs involved.
Rapid Development and Population Growth
Spurred by mining projects and agricultural expansion, Northern Australia has seen its population grow at twice the national average over the past decade (ABS). More people require more water, placing further strains on limited supplies.
Balancing development and conservation needs will become increasingly difficult.
Northern Australia Average Temperature Increase 1990-2019 | +0.98°C |
Overallocation Percentage of Northern Rivers 2020 | 112% |
Northern Australia Population Growth Rate 2013-2023 | +2.1% p.a. (National Average +1.5%) |
Where are the Greatest Water Scarcity Risks?
Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities
Many rural and remote Indigenous communities in Northern Australia face acute water scarcity issues. According to the CSIRO, nearly 35% of Australia’s Indigenous communities experience water supply problems and 50% are at high risk of shortages. Key factors include:
- Location in arid inland areas with low, variable rainfall
- Lack of nearby surface water sources like rivers and lakes
- Reliance on groundwater, which can have high salt levels
- Poor water infrastructure due to the communities’ small size and remoteness
These shortages severely impact health, hygiene and quality of life. Better infrastructure, increased storage capacity, and improved water management practices are urgently needed.
Pastoral Stations and Cattle Farms
Cattle stations across Northern Australia’s rangelands are vulnerable to drought and water shortfalls. Their vast scale, with large herds needing substantial volumes of drinking water, exacerbate their exposure. The ongoing decline in rainfall over recent decades has heightened pressures.
Many stations rely on dams, bores, tanks and earthen works to capture and store water. But limited infrastructure, high evaporation rates and variable inflows make building resilience problematic. In severe droughts, drastic measures like destocking or trucking in emergency water may still be needed.
Water source | Share of total consumption |
Dams and tanks | 35% |
Bores | 15% |
Rivers/creeks | 25% |
Purchased/carted water | 10% |
Other sources | 15% |
Coastal Cities Like Darwin and Cairns
Though located near abundant surface water, the major coastal cities of Northern Australia still face water risks from growing demand and climate change impacts. Darwin sources over 90% of its supply from Darwin River Dam, which came perilously close to exhaustion during the last major dry spell.
With the city’s population set to double to around 400,000 by 2050, additional sources and better efficiency are essential.
Meanwhile, Cairns crowds around Trinity Inlet and draws the bulk of its water from Copperlode Dam on the Barron River. But siltation and invasive weeds are cutting capacity while population grows. Diversifying supply and upgrading infrastructure is thus vital for resilience.
Case Studies of At-Risk Northern Communities
Borroloola, NT
Borroloola is located on the McArthur River in the Gulf of Carpentaria in the Northern Territory. This isolated community of around 1000 people relies heavily on groundwater for household use. However, analyses show rising salinity and contamination from mining activities, putting safe drinking water at risk (1).
A recent study by Charles Darwin University found that years of extensive mining nearby has caused toxic metal elements like lead, zinc and copper to leach into the groundwater. This is exacerbated by the levees built along the McArthur River to prevent flooding, affecting natural filtration (2).
Alternative water infrastructure is limited, with pipelines unfeasible over such long distances.
Community elders have expressed deep concerns, as access to clean water is considered a basic human right. Reliance on bottled water has increased, but storage and transportation over rough terrain is challenging.
Water security in Borroloola will require commitments from government and industry to balance development and conservation.
Doomadgee, QLD
The small Aboriginal community of Doomadgee in the Gulf Country region of northwest Queensland has faced chronic water shortages for years. With average rainfall declining and drought conditions more frequent, their main source of water in the Nicholson River can stop flowing during the dry season.
The town’s water treatment plant operates at only 60% capacity and cannot meet demand at peak times. Water usage is restricted to 110L per person daily. Infrastructure upgrades are slow and inadequate for the climate reality.
As a result, cases of water-borne diseases have emerged and worsened over time.
There is hope with the recent federal government pledge of $28 million towards improving water security in Doomadgee, including drilling bores, enhancing water quality testing capability and constructing additional water tanks around town.
But whether this is too little too late is yet to be seen (3).
Elliott, NT
Elliott is an outback town along the Stuart Highway in the Northern Territory, with an 80% Aboriginal population of around 320. Here the water situation is dire, with widespread water access and infrastructure issues.
Water supply relies on a single production bore prone to failure during extreme heat when demand spikes. Storage capacity is lacking, with households receiving water only 12 hours per day. Water quality varies wildly, often undrinkable due to excessive total dissolved salts (TDS).
This jeopardizes community health.
Upgrades to water infrastructure have stalled due to disagreements between stakeholders. Meanwhile, rainfall runoff goes untapped, highlighting the need for holistic water management. Beyond infrastructure, empowering locals and integrating traditional knowledge may reveal sustainable solutions (4).
Water security in remote towns like Elliott requires an “all hands on deck” approach across industry, government and community groups before conditions deteriorate further.
With climate change exacerbating water scarcity in Northern Australia, at-risk rural and remote communities face unprecedented challenges to water access and security. Tailored, collaborative strategies are needed to bolster resilience and adaptation before the situation becomes dire.
Every community deserves reliable access to clean, safe water.
References:
- ABC News article on Borroloola groundwater contamination
- Charles Darwin University study on mining impacts in Borroloola area
- Government pledge for water infrastructure funding in Doomadgee
- ABS statistics on water supply issues in outback NT towns
Policy Solutions and Mitigation Strategies
Upgrading Water Infrastructure
Northern Australia’s water infrastructure is outdated and deteriorating, leading to high rates of water loss and inefficiency. Upgrading water pipes, dams, irrigation systems, and other infrastructure could significantly reduce water waste (source).
Government investment and public-private partnerships will be vital in funding these major upgrades.
Sustainable Groundwater Management
Better oversight and guidelines for groundwater extraction are needed to ensure northern Australia’s aquifers are used sustainably. Measures like capping extraction rates, monitoring groundwater levels, and using recycled water for agriculture could prevent over-pumping and depletion of these vital water sources (source).
There also needs to be more research into recharging rates and safe extraction limits for key aquifers.
Water Conservation and Efficiency Programs
Expanding water conservation programs for homes, businesses, and agriculture could significantly curb water demand. Measures like water use audits, leakage detection, irrigation system upgrades, water recycling/reuse systems, and community education campaigns have proven highly effective in other drought-prone regions (source).
Water prices and regulations may also need adjusting to incentivize efficiency.
Water Allocation Reform and Oversight
Outdated water entitlements and lack of oversight currently enable rampant water overuse and poor prioritization of supply in northern Australia. Comprehensive reforms are needed to allocate water based on environmental and social needs rather than purely economics.
An independent water commission could oversee usage limits, sustainability practices, and equitable distribution for communities (source). Better enforcement of breaches is also vital.
Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge
Indigenous land owners have managed Australian waterways sustainably for millennia. Incorporating First Nations’ ecological knowledge into modern water management is crucial. This could involve Aboriginal ranger programs monitoring streams and aquifers, cultural water entitlements prioritizing environmental flows, and genuine community partnerships in decision-making processes (source).
Respecting native title rights is also key.
The Role of Individual and Community Action
Water Conservation Efforts
Individuals can take simple steps to reduce water usage in their homes and communities. Installing water-efficient appliances, taking shorter showers, turning off taps, and watering lawns and gardens efficiently can make a significant dent in usage (source).
Community efforts like rainwater harvesting, greywater reuse, and smarter irrigation hold promise as well. If each household reduced usage by 20-30%, it would greatly alleviate pressure on water resources.
Supporting Sustainable Policy Changes
Citizens can advocate for better water management policies from local and regional governments. Policies that promote Water Sensitive Urban Design, water recycling programs, stormwater capture systems, and stricter regulations on industrial usage could be impactful.
Campaigning, voting, submitting public comments, and participating in consultations allows the public to pressure leaders. One success story is Perth’s groundbreaking water usage rules and wastewater recycling program in the early 2000s during their crisis (source).
Participating in Local Decision Making
Getting involved with watershed management groups and conservation organizations amplifies one’s impact. These groups monitor usage, restore habitats, educate the public, and provide input to decision makers.
Joining their boards, volunteering for activities, and donating to campaigns makes a real difference. For example, the Mary River Catchment Coordinating Committee has coordinated replanting efforts along the Mary River to stabilize banks and improve riparian habitats (source).
Increased participation leads to better ideas and outcomes.
Conclusion
Northern Australia is standing on the edge of a severe water crisis due to climate change impacts, excessive water demands, poor management practices, and aging infrastructure. Without urgent action, many rural and Indigenous communities face acute water shortages in the near future.
Solutions exist, but they require coordinated efforts between governments, businesses, communities, and individuals. Smarter water allocation policies, infrastructure upgrades, conservation initiatives, and sustainable groundwater management will all play a crucial role.
But engaged citizens also have an important part to play in driving change and being part of the solution.
With decisive leadership, adequate funding, community participation, and a collaborative approach, a truly disastrous outcome can still be averted in northern Australia’s growing water crisis. But there is no time to waste – significant progress will need to be made before the next major drought hits.