NLC demands consultations on Daly

NLC Deputy Chairman John Daly has called on the Northern Territory Government to start consultations with Aboriginal people over proposed agricultural developments on the Daly River as a matter of urgency.

John Daly: many unanswered questions

There are few rivers left in Australia that have not been degraded to at least some extent by large-scale agricultural activities. Currently in a near-pristine state, the Daly River retains virtually all of its pre-colonial environmental assets.

Supporting the biggest diversity of freshwater turtles of any Australian river system, the Daly River is also believed to be an important breeding ground for freshwater bull sharks as well as an important habitat for other uncommon species such as whip-rays and sawfish.

It is thought that the proposed agricultural developments will involve widespread tree clearing and the pumping of water from the river and water table for irrigation, and the variety of crops grown could involve the extensive use of herbicides and pesticides.

“The Daly is an important ceremonial track and contains sites of significance to us,” Mr Daly said. “A lowering of the water table brought about by water usage as planned will not only expose these sites visually, but will also make them prone to destruction.”

“How do we measure the impact herbicides and pesticides will have on the local barramundi, bream and other edible fish species? And will these elements be transferred to local residents who rely on these species as a regular source of food? Will this in turn have an impact on major fishing tournaments held along the river? If so, how do local residents regain the revenue lost as a result of this?”

“There are many questions to be asked and answered, yet requests by the NLC for the Government to inform Aboriginal people and to consult with them over the agricultural developments have been ignored.”

The NLC has written to the Minister on several occasions, the most recent being 29 April, but has still not received any clear indication of development timeframes and the process under which consultations will take place with Aboriginal communities.