The Adelaide River Off-stream Water Storage (AROWS) project is an innovative and sustainable solution to supply water to the Darwin region over the long term.
The project is part of the Darwin Region Water Supply Infrastructure Program (the program) and will use naturally occurring ridge formation, approximately one kilometre from the Adelaide River, that forms a basin. Two main dams will be constructed at low points of the ridge formation to store water. There will be no dam infrastructure built across the Adelaide River to impede the flow of the river, minimising the impact on the environment.
The Adelaide River will supply AROWS with water via a controlled pump system during Darwin’s wettest months. Water will then be stored in the AROWS basin and pumped via a new pipeline adjacent to the Stuart Highway to the Strauss Water Treatment Plant for treatment and distribution. The water treatment plant capacity will be expanded to support the additional 60 gigalitres (GL) of water per year from AROWS.
Darwin Region Water Supply Infrastructure Program
The program is being delivered in 2 stages.
As the Northern Territory (NT) grows, having enough water for the future is critical – for people, agriculture, industry and the environment.
The program is a sustainable, long term infrastructure solution that will deliver safe and secure drinking water for Territorians, as well as enable economic growth and job creation through irrigated agriculture and industry expansion.
The program is being delivered in collaboration with Power and Water Corporation in 2 stages to supply 67.3GL of additional water each year to the Darwin region.
Stage 1
- Manton Dam Return to service
- Strauss Water Treatment Plant – stage 1
- Middle Arm Water Supply – stage 1
- Planning, approvals and pre-construction activities for the proposed Adelaide River Off-stream Water Storage (AROWS) project.
Stage 1 of the program is jointly funded by the Australian Government, through the National Water Grid Fund ($300.6 million) and the NT Government ($27 million) delivered in partnership Power and Water Corporation.
Stage 2
- Construction and commissioning of AROWS project to secure a long-term water supply
- Strauss Water Treatment Plant – stage 2
- AROWS supporting infrastructure.
Stage 2 is pending regulatory approvals and future investment decisions.
Community Reference Group
A Community Reference Group (CRG) has been established for the Darwin Region Water Supply Infrastructure Program.
The CRG provides a direct line of communication between community leaders, representatives, the Northern Territory Government and Power and Water Corporation in relation to AROWS and the program. This ensures project information is shared and community views are captured and addressed.
Check the consultation tab above for more CRG information.
- Darwin Region Water Supply Program Community Update - January 2026 PDF (5.1 MB)
- Darwin Region Water Supply Infrastructure Program Community Update - Issue 1 PDF (1.7 MB)
- Darwin Region Water Supply Infrastructure Program Community Update - Issue 2 PDF (1.3 MB)
- Darwin Region Water Supply Infrastructure Program Community Update - Issue 3 PDF (1.2 MB)
- Darwin Region Water Supply Infrastructure Program Community Update - Issue 4 PDF (904.7 KB)
- 2025 project update PDF (12.2 MB)
- Executive summary report PDF (553.9 KB)
- Full report PDF (5.7 MB)
- Detailed business case PDF (6.9 MB)
- Detailed business case (summary) PDF (2.9 MB)
Community engagement is a vital part of the planning and delivery of the Adelaide River Off-stream Water Storage (AROWS) project. The Northern Territory Government is seeking community feedback to ensure all views are considered.
Community Reference Group
A Community Reference Group (CRG) has been established for the Darwin Region Water Supply Program (the program).
The CRG will provide a direct line of communication between community representatives and the Northern Territory Government about the program.
The CRG provides community representatives with a forum to:
- share community views
- provide feedback on the program and its delivery
- relay information straight from the NT Government to the wider community.
CRG members have been selected based on their expert knowledge, experience and ability to represent the local community directly affected by the project.
CRG members are appointed on an initial 2-year term.
Members of the CRG are:
The current Chair is Darryl Day, Director Wongulla Waters Pty Ltd.
Members are:
Andrew Mackay MLA, Member for Goyder
Gary Higgins, former NT minister and local resident
David Ciaravolo, Chief Executive Officer, Amateur Fishing Association of the NT
Dheran Young MLA, Member for Daly
Tarizma Kenyon, Custodian of Limilngan-Wulna land
Andrew Bourne, Acting Chief Executive Officer, NT Farmers Association
Kezia Purick, former NT minister and local resident
Ruth Palmer, NT Executive Director, Property Council of Australia and Public Officer Lake Bennett Community Association Inc
Sharon Hillen, Chief Executive Officer, Coomalie Community Government Council
Stephen Hoyne, Chief Executive Officer, Litchfield Council
Glen Hingley, Chief Executive Officer, NT Chamber of Commerce.
The community is encouraged to seek out their CRG representative if they would like information on the program or to express their views.
Meetings in 2026 are scheduled for July and November.
Previous meetings
The CRG will issue a public communique following each meeting to keep community members and stakeholders up to date.
See communiques and other relevant material from previous CRG meetings:
- Issue 8 - February 2026 PDF (4.0 MB)
- Issue 7 - July 2025 PDF (7.8 MB)
- Issue 6 - December 2024 PDF (4.4 MB)
- Issue 5 - April 2024 PDF (2.4 MB)
- Issue 4 - January 2024 PDF (4.9 MB)
- Issue 3 - June 2023 PDF (3.9 MB)
- Issue 2 - March 2023 PDF (2.2 MB)
- Issue 1 - November 2022 PDF (1.5 MB)
- CRG presentation - November 2022 PDF (3.3 MB)
Terms of reference
View the CRG terms of reference PDF (131.3 KB).
Stay up to date with the latest news regarding the program. Sign up to the community newsletter.
You can call us on 8999 5106 or email us at waterInfrastructure.DLI@nt.gov.au.
Working with First Nations people
The NT Government respectfully acknowledges the Aboriginal communities surrounding the AROWS basin area and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters, sky and communities, and the evolving cultures of all First Nations peoples.
The program also recognises and values the cultural, social, environmental, spiritual and economic connection of Aboriginal peoples to the Adelaide River and its wetlands and floodplains.
The program is seeking opportunities for economic participation across each phase of the project, particularly those that continue beyond construction. These opportunities will be informed through engagement with Aboriginal stakeholders.
Environment
The Northern Territory Government is proposing to undertake the highest level of environmental assessment for AROWS, being a tier 3 proponent-initiated environmental impact assessment.
In 2025, the NT Government submitted a Referral for the AROWS project to NT Environmental Protection Authority and the Commonwealth Government.
The Referral document outlines current knowledge about the AROWS project, identifies information gaps, describes any potential impacts and explains how these impacts may be mitigated. To view the referral documents, including the terms of reference, go to the Northern Territory Environment Protection Authority website.
In contrast to in-stream dams, the AROWS project would be an innovative off-stream water storage initiative. A key characteristic of AROWS is that it does not require any dam infrastructure to be built across Adelaide River that would impede the flow of the river, minimising the impact on the environment.
To fill the reservoir, water is proposed to be extracted from the Adelaide River during the wet season, when flows are highest (December to April).
Water allocation plan for the Adelaide River catchment
Water allocation plans aim to protect the environment and equitably share the available water between users to ensure the long-term sustainability of the water resource.
Water allocation plans are developed through technical and scientific assessments, supported by extensive community participation and consultation.
A water allocation plan is being developed for the Adelaide River catchment, which the AROWS project will be regulated under.
To find out more about water allocation plans, visit the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment website.