Research and planning
Location
Ord River Irrigation Area, Northern Territory-Western Australia border
NT
Estimated cost
$2,300,000
Project status
in planning
Funding
The project is fully funded by the Australian Government. Australian Government funding is provided through the National Water Grid Fund.
This detailed business cases expands on investigative work to support the expansion of the Ord River Irrigation Area.
The Northern Territory’s Keep River Plains are suitable for irrigated agriculture but lack adequate water infrastructure. New infrastructure could enable up to an additional 24,700 hectares of irrigated agriculture and deliver significant economic growth.
The detailed business case will investigate:
- 3 irrigation expansion options shortlisted in the preliminary business case to determine what infrastructure is needed
- supply and demand assessments, including hydrological modelling
- potential benefits to local First Nations communities, including culturally safe employment options to support progress towards Closing the Gap targets.
This project would be expected to support the Australian Government’s commitment to Close the Gap and regional Australia’s economic development.
Read more
- See the preliminary business case, completed in January 2024.
- Learn more about water in Australia.