The Mpwerempwer Aboriginal Corporation challenged whether the Northern Territory government lawfully granted the decades-long water licence. But the High Court on Wednesday ordered the water licence to be quashed, referring the water licence application back to NT decision makers, who will have to consider environmental approvals. The court ruled the relevant NT minister did not address special circumstances to justify the water licence for an extended period of 30 years. The decision "contravened express and implied limitations on the decision-making authority conferred on the delegate minister," the court ruled. The Mpwerempwer Aboriginal Corporation argued the water licence risked permanently damaging an ancient aquifer, at least 40 groundwater-dependent sacred sites and community water supplies.