The Impact of Urban Land-use on Total Pollutant Loads Entering Darwin Harbour

The Darwin Harbour region is the country of the Larrakia and other Aboriginal people, and is enjoyed by Territorians and tourists for its recreational opportunities. Most Territory residents live in the region, which is the centre for industrial and commercial operations. The region is also a major hub for road, rail, air and sea transport. Our use of the catchment, through urban, industrial and agricultural development in the region has increased the amount of pollutants entering Darwin Harbour. This report collates pollutant and hydrographic data for the Darwin Harbour catchment, with a focus on monitoring of loads undertaken in the 2006/07 wet season. It extrapolates monitoring undertaken for specific catchments to the wider Darwin Harbour catchment, and predicts the impact of future development on the pollutant loads entering Darwin Harbour based on a 'business as usual' approach.