Our teams

Bushfires NT is responsible for managing wildfires and other fire-related emergencies in specific fire management zones within the rural area of the Territory. The team is dedicated to protecting lives, property, and the environment from the devastating effects of bushfires.

The team operates a range of programs and services to help prevent, prepare for, and respond to bushfires. This includes providing information and education to the public about fire safety, conducting controlled burns to reduce fuel loads, and coordinating firefighting efforts during emergencies.

They also works closely with other emergency services, including police, fire and emergency and a network of volunteers across the Territory. Bushfires NT also collaborates with Aboriginal landowners to incorporate traditional land management practices and knowledge into its operations.

The work they do provides fire management support to the rural community and volunteer bushfire brigades through fire management planning, training and fire mitigation and suppression activities.

We work with the regions to:

• provide volunteer support
• lead community engagement and volunteer strategy
• coordinate training
• provide corporate business support
• assist the volunteer bushfire brigade network
• ensure good governance for the division.

Fire management programs and functions are carried out within the Bushfires Management Act 2016 including:

• compliance and enforcement
• fire risk planning
• fire mitigation
• wildfire suppression activities
• aviation capability.

Overall, Bushfires NT is committed to promoting a safe and resilient community in the Territory, and to protecting the unique natural environment of the region from the devastating effects of bushfires.

Read more about Bushfires NT and the work they do.

The Environment division has two integral streams:

• Environmental Policy and Assessment Branch
• Environmental Regulation Branch.

Environmental Policy and Assessment

The Environment Assessment and Policy Team is a specialised branch within the department. The team is responsible for conducting environmental assessments and providing policy advice to ensure sustainable and responsible development across the Territory.

They work with developers, industry, and other government agencies to assess the potential environmental impacts of proposed development projects. This includes analysing the potential effects on air quality, water resources, biodiversity, and cultural heritage.

The team also provides recommendations and advice on ways to minimise these impacts and ensure that development is carried out in a sustainable and responsible manner.

The Environment Assessment and Policy Team is made up of highly skilled professionals with expertise in environmental science, ecology, policy development, and stakeholder engagement. The team uses the latest technology and analytical tools to conduct environmental assessments and develop policies that are based on the best available science and information.

The team is dedicated to promoting sustainable and responsible development in the Northern Territory while protecting the unique environment and cultural heritage of the region.

Environmental Regulation

A group of specialised members within the department who are responsible for ensuring that businesses, industries, and individuals comply with environmental regulations to protect the environment and public health.

The team works to regulate activities that have the potential to impact the environment, such as petroleum, waste management, and chemical handling to name a few. This includes issuing permits, conducting inspections, and enforcing compliance with environmental regulations. The team also provides guidance and support to businesses and industries to help them meet their environmental obligations.

In addition to enforcing environmental regulations, the Environment Regulation Team plays a key role in developing new regulations and standards to protect the environment and public health. This includes working with government agencies, industry, and other stakeholders to develop new regulations and standards that reflect the latest scientific and technical knowledge.

The team is made up of highly skilled professionals with expertise in environmental science, law, and regulation. The team uses the latest technology and analytical tools to monitor and regulate environmental activities and to enforce compliance with environmental regulations.

They are a group of highly dedicated professionals with the aim to protect the environment and public health in the Northern Territory by ensuring that businesses, industries, and individuals comply with environmental regulations and by developing new regulations and standards to reflect the latest scientific and technical knowledge.

Both teams also provide support for the NT Environment Protection Authority (NT EPA) to deliver its roles and responsibilities.

The Parks and Wildlife division manage 85 parks, reserves and protected areas across the NT.

Thirty-three areas are under joint management agreements with Traditional Owners.

The Parks and Wildlife Team is responsible for managing and protecting the Territory's parks, reserves, and wildlife.

The team manages a diverse range of parks and reserves across the Northern Territory, including national parks, conservation areas, and marine parks. This includes managing visitor facilities, conducting scientific research, and implementing conservation programs to protect the unique flora and fauna of the region.

They are also responsible for protecting and conserving the Territory's wildlife, including crocodiles. The team works closely in the crocodile management zones to manage crocodile populations in the region's waterways and to ensure that visitors are safe when enjoying the Territory's water-based activities. This includes conducting regular surveys of crocodile populations, monitoring crocodile behaviour, and educating the public about how to stay safe in crocodile habitats.

In addition to managing parks and wildlife, the team collaborates closely with traditional owner rangers on joint managed parks. These partnerships involve traditional owners and the Parks and Wildlife Team working together to manage parks and reserves and to protect and conserve the region's natural and cultural heritage. Joint management includes developing management plans, conducting scientific research, and implementing conservation programs that are informed by traditional knowledge and practices.

The Parks and Wildlife Team is made up of highly trained professionals with expertise in ecology, conservation biology, park management, and wildlife management. The team uses the latest technology and scientific methods to manage and protect the territory's parks, reserves, and wildlife.

Other responsibilities of the teams include:

• wildfire mitigation
• weed management
• visitor and engagement services
• organising camping and day walks.

Parks and reserves contribute enormously to the social and cultural values of the NT.

The Parks and Wildlife Team also includes the Territory Wildlife Park and Alice Springs Desert Park.

The Water Resources Division, in partnership with the community, conserve and manage water resources in a transparent, equitable and sustainable way.

The team administer the Northern Territory (NT) Water Act 1992 and are responsible for a range of activities related to water management, including licensing, monitoring, and regulation of water use.

One of the key functions of the Water Resources team is to issue licenses for water use. The team manages the licensing process for a range of activities, including groundwater extraction, surface water extraction, and wastewater discharge. The team also provides guidance and support to license holders to ensure that they comply with the conditions of their license and with relevant water management regulations.

The team also conducts regular monitoring of water resources across the Northern Territory. This includes monitoring water quality, water levels, and flow rates to ensure that water resources are being managed sustainably and to detect any potential issues before they become a problem. The team also uses the latest technology and scientific methods to analyse water data and to inform water management decisions.

In addition to licensing and monitoring, the team is responsible for regulating water use to ensure that it is sustainable and does not impact the environment or other water users. This includes enforcing compliance with water management regulations and investigating and addressing any reported breaches.

They work closely with other government agencies, industry, and the community to develop and implement water management policies and strategies. The team also provides advice and information to the public about water management and conservation.

They also deliver flood forecasting services to protect infrastructure and keep communities safe.

Our team also leads:

• the delivery of the NT Strategic Water Plan
• access to water recommendations for the Territory Economic Reconstruction Commission.

Overall, the Water Resources Team is dedicated to managing the territory's water resources in a sustainable and responsible manner, ensuring that water is available for both current and future generations.

The Rangelands division uses scientific data to assess and monitor land in the Northern Territory.

They are responsible for managing the territory's rangelands. The team works to promote the sustainable management of the rangelands, which make up around 80% of the Northern Territory's land area.

One of the key functions of the Rangelands team is to manage the impact of invasive weeds including declared weeds such as Gamba Grass. The team develops and implements weed management strategies to control the spread of weeds and to protect native flora and fauna. They provide support and advice to land managers and community groups to help them manage weeds on their own properties.

The team also works to promote sustainable land and soil management practices in the rangelands. This includes developing and implementing land management strategies that aim to reduce the impact of activities such as grazing and mining on the environment. The team also provides advice and support to land managers to help them implement sustainable land management practices on their properties.

A key role for the rangelands team is regulating land clearing activities in the Northern Territory. The team assesses applications for land clearing and provides advice and guidance to land managers to ensure that land clearing is conducted in a sustainable and responsible manner.

In addition to these activities, they provide support to the Pastoral Land Board, which is responsible for regulating the use of pastoral land in the Northern Territory. This is done by providing advice and support to the board on issues such as land use planning, land management, and environmental regulation.

To summarise the roles and responsibilities rangelands team they work to:

• regulate the use of land resources
• deliver extension services and policy advice
• manage the Northern Territory pastoral estate
• oversee native vegetation clearing on pastoral land
• carry out land suitability investigation and mapping
• highlight potential agribusiness opportunities, development and alternate land use
• advise on ways to reduce erosion, weeds and other threats
• provide geospatial services to the department with spatial data and geographic information systems
• coordinate responses for land development proposals.

Overall, the Rangelands team is dedicated to promoting the sustainable management of the Northern Territory's rangelands by working closely with land managers, community groups, and other stakeholders to develop and implement strategies that protect the environment and promote sustainable land use.

The Flora and Fauna division provides scientific assessment and monitoring of our native flora and fauna and is responsible for managing the territory's biodiversity. The team has a wide range of responsibilities, including species conservation, the protection and sustainable use of wildlife, feral animal management, and the management of marine and terrestrial ecosystems.

One of the primary responsibilities of the Flora and Fauna team is to protect threatened and endangered species in the Northern Territory. The team develops and implements recovery plans for these species and works with land managers and other stakeholders to protect their habitat and reduce threats such as invasive species and habitat loss.

They are also responsible for managing the territory's marine and terrestrial ecosystems. This includes conducting research and monitoring to better understand these ecosystems and to inform conservation and management strategies. The team uses the latest technology and scientific methods to analyse data on marine and terrestrial ecosystems and to make informed decisions about conservation priorities.

In addition to these activities, the team is responsible for managing wildlife use and feral animal management in the Northern Territory. The team develops policies and regulations to ensure that wildlife is used in a sustainable and responsible manner. The team also develops and implements strategies to manage feral animals, which can have a significant impact on native flora and fauna.

The team have also contributed to the Strategic Regional Environmental Baseline Assessment (SREBA) which set the standards for fracking in the NT.

The NT Herbarium is located within the Flora and Fauna division and manages a collection of preserved plant specimens housed at the Northern Territory Herbarium in Palmerston. The Herbarium works to document and preserve the flora of the Northern Territory and to make this information available to researchers, government agencies, and the public. The Herbarium NT houses over 200,000 plant specimens, including specimens of rare and threatened species, and is an important resource for the study of Northern Territory plant diversity and conservation.

They also manage the online catalogue Flora NT

Overall, the Flora and Fauna Team is dedicated to protecting and conserving the Northern Territory's unique biodiversity with their work aimed at protecting and sustaining the Northern Territory's natural environment.

The Executive and Business Services team provides advice and services to support the delivery of the department’s strategic priorities and supports the department to do its work through essential support services.

The team's services include Executive and Ministerial Liaison services, Financial services, budgeting support and compliance reporting, Corporate governance, risk management, work health and safety, Boards and committee support, Facility and asset management, Communications and engagement services, and Digital communications and engagement and social media management.

The Executive and Ministerial Liaison services provided by the team include support to the department's executives and ministers, managing correspondence and briefings, and coordinating meetings and events.

The Financial services provided by the team include budgeting support, financial reporting, and compliance reporting to ensure the department's financial obligations are met.

The Strategic Services team provides corporate governance, risk management, and work health and safety services including developing and implementing policies and procedures to ensure compliance with relevant legislation and regulations. The team also includes boards and committee support provided by the to support for departmental boards and committees and the provision of secretariat services.

Their services also supports facility and asset management services to manage the department's buildings and assets, maintenance, and infrastructure planning.

The Media and Communications team services include developing and implementing communication strategies, stakeholder engagement, and community consultation.

This includes digital communications and engagement and social media management services provided by the team including developing and implementing digital communication and engagement strategies, managing social media accounts, and supporting the department's digital presence.

The team is also responsible for managing media relations and responding to media inquiries.

The media team works closely with the department's executives and subject matter experts to provide timely and accurate information to the media. The team is responsible for coordinating media interviews, preparing media releases and background information, and monitoring media coverage of the department's activities.

Overall, the Executive and Business Services team provides a wide range of essential support services to the Department of Environment, Parks and Water Security. The team's services are crucial to the department's success, enabling it to function effectively and efficiently and to achieve its goals in protecting and conserving the Northern Territory's natural environment.