In early 2024, Nature Impact Collective members reviewed the landscape of Australian freshwater challenges and the organisations championing protection and restoration of our rivers.
We uncovered an urgent need to both support organisations working to rectify the ongoing trauma to rivers and inland water systems from decades of gross mismanagement, while investing early in situations where we stand at a crossroads.
Environment Centre NT (ECNT) stood out for the crucial and transformational role they play in supporting the growing movement across the north to protect some of the last free-flowing rivers and largest intact savanna landscapes in Australia – and the world – from fracking and new water intense agribusiness.
“Territorians have made it clear they don’t want to see what has occurred down south happen to Top End rivers. 72.5% of NT residents say large cotton companies shouldn’t be allowed to expand operations until they fix the problems they have caused in the Murray Darling,” said Executive Director of ECNT Kirsty Howey.
“The Northern Territory’s savanna is a national treasure and the world’s largest remaining intact tropical woodland – but it’s at risk of being bulldozed by cotton producers. Big cotton devastated the Murray Darling Basin – we mustn’t be bullied into making the same mistakes here,” said Ms Howey.
When ECNT received the news in April 2024, that they were to receive flexible funding of $270,000 from Nature Impact Collective as part of our Inland Waters funding focus, they were able to maximise the impact of a growing campaign and moment by allocating funds to essential Traditional Owner engagement. They have also put aside funds for operational costs and increased organisational sustainability.
“The Nature Impact Collective funding immediately enabled deep engagement by ECNT with First Nations communities affected by the cotton industries and proposed water allocations, so that they have been in a powerful position to advocate for their concerns, leading to the national stage via Four Corners,“ said Ms Howey.
“We are so proud of this deepening partnership with Mangarrayi Traditional Owners, which will be transformational not only for ECNT, but for the ongoing work of protecting rivers across northern Australia. The flexibility of the funding meant that we could respond quickly to the greatest area of need, with the biggest opportunity for impact.”
Together with the Arid Lands Environment Centre, Environment Centre NT are calling on the Federal Government to establish a Royal Commission into water management, deforestation and impacts on the rights of Traditional Owners in the Northern Territory.
Nature Impact Collective’s directors continue to be impressed by Environment Centre NT’s considered and strategic approach, and its commitment to collaboration and support for local communities, especially First Nations peoples.
We were thrilled to provide this support to help strengthen its capacity in this crucial freshwater fight, and to see an immediate impact in their ability to broaden their engagement and bring issues to national light.
The explosive Four Corners episode “Water Grab” was aired on ABC in August this year.
Find out more about ECNT here.