A farm located near the NT’s renowned Mataranka Hot Springs is seeking to extract millions of litres of water using a controversial licence.

The water licence held by Roper Plains Station, previously condemned by the NT Labor government, remains largely unused, but new owners of the farm reportedly plan to exploit the full 5,800 megalitre annual allowance. 

The Northern Territory Labor government is said to be evaluating a land clearing application for Roper Plains Station, potentially enabling the station to fully exploit the contentious water licence.

Many believe that the Mataranka Hot Springs, a popular nearby attraction, are now at risk.

The water licence, initially awarded a decade ago, gained notoriety as the "watermate scandal" when granted to the CLP's election candidate Tina MacFarlane in 2013. Its renewal by the current Labor government earlier this year has stirred controversy, with critics arguing that it allocates far more water than can reasonably be used.

Despite the station's current owner using only 60 per cent of the allocated water, the license was renewed in January. While there is no suggestion of impropriety on the part of the station’s owners, the property is reportedly on the market for approximately $9 million, with the licence set to transfer automatically to the new owner.

Environmentalists have decried the renewal as an example of the Northern Territory's flawed water governance. The lack of a water allocation plan for the Mataranka Tindall aquifer adds to concerns.

Groundwater experts warn that the substantial water allocation in such close proximity to ecologically significant sites raises concerns about the hot springs and the Roper River's future. The absence of a clear understanding of the aquifer system amplifies these concerns.

Traditional owners say they have seen adverse effects on the region's creeks, tributaries, and wildlife due to diminishing water flows.

Decisions are pending regarding Roper Plains Station's land clearing application and water licence utilisation.