Extreme weather conditions have many Katherine residents on edge with concerns drought-affected trees are dying.
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In what could be an unprecedented event, well-established trees have begun to perish as groundwater levels deplete.
Community fears for the parched trees have not been abated since first being raised over one month ago at a council meeting.
One Katherine resident of 40 years was particularly concerned about trees at the Katherine Showgrounds and along Victoria Highway.
She said the death of well-established trees would be "tragic" and called for additional care requirements not likely seen in Katherine before.
The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics manages all trees on Crown Land, on the Stuart Highway, Chambers Drive and Victoria Highway road reserves, and has not ruled out watering the trees.
"The trees which are most impacted by the drier conditions are not native trees," a DIPL spokesman said.
"The Department has approved a tender for an arborist to inspect the trees and a report is forthcoming.
"Once the report has been finalised, the Department will be in a better position to make a decision on the best course of action moving forward with regards to these non-native trees."
The Northern Territory is struggling through its driest year for almost half a century, and with predictions of a late start to the wet season by the Bureau of Meteorology, the extended dry period could see many more trees across Katherine stressed and withered.
Many long-term Katherine residents can't remember a time the river, an important metric in determining the state of the groundwater in the region, remained so low.
But the NT Government's water assessment director, Des Yin Foo holds a little more confidence.
In September, the Katherine Times spoke with the expert who quashed any fears the river would stop flowing.
Unlike Darwin, which relies on yearly rainfall, Katherine's system soaks up water like a sponge and then releases a certain amount as needed.
If there is water flowing in the river, it means there is still plenty of water below ground.
"The Katherine River will keep flowing for at least another year, this time next year it might be another one and a half cumecs less, which is of course going to raise alarm bells, but it will maintain flow," he said.
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