Indigenous Water Policy Group Governance The Indigenous Water Policy Group (IWPG) is an initiative created and facilitated by the North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA). NAILSMA is an alliance between the Kimberley Land Council, Northern Land Council, Carpentaria Land Council and Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation. NAILSMA is located in Darwin, Northern Territory and hosted by the Charles Darwin University. NAILSMA NAILSMA is an unincorporated bioregional forum for Indigenous land and sea managers across north Australia. It aims to support practical Indigenous land and sea management using strategic approaches to care for county with an emphasis on practical management by Traditional Owners across the wet and dry tropics of the north. To achieve this aim, NAILSMA manages a number of projects, including the Indigenous Water Resource Management project. This project supports two water initiatives, the Indigenous Community Water Facilitator Network (ICWFN) and the Indigenous Water Policy Group (IWPG). Background to the IWPG The IWPG was established in 2006 to continue the work of the Lingiari Reports 1. These reports address Indigenous rights, responsibilities and interests in water. They have since been revised 2. In addition to this, a scoping study of Indigenous interests in tropical river management 3 identified an extremely low awareness amongst Indigenous people in the north of Australia of the governments plan for water reform, the National Water Initiative (NWI). The NWI has significant implications for future Indigenous land and sea management given that the Indigenous estate is greater than 40% in the north of Australia. The IWPG was initially funded for one year (2006-07) by Land and Water Australia to develop institutional arrangements for Indigenous participation in the NWI. The IWPG is currently funded by the National Water Commission (2007-10) under its Raising National Water Standards Program. It is the only construct in the north of Australia examining Indigenous water policy, and coordinating across state and territory jurisdictions. Role of the IWPG The role of the IWPG is to: provide policy advice to its members based on research on water reform initiatives as they affect Indigenous communities and land holdings; provide advice and representation on all matters concerning water resources in terms of the social, economic, environmental and cultural interests of Indigenous people in the north of Australia; ensure that Indigenous interests are appropriately engaged in all regional water planning in the north of Australia, providing - equitable and secure access to water for domestic and commercial purposes; - recognition and protection of the wide range of interests in water by developing collaborative relationships among scientists, natural resource management facilitators and Indigenous interests. 1 Lingiari Foundation (2002) Onshore and Offshore Water Rights Discussion booklets. Lingiari Foundation Broome. 2 Rachel Armstrong (2008) An Overview of Indigenous Rights in Water Resource Management. NAILSMA, Darwin 3 Sue Jackson & Patrick O Leary (2006) Indigenous Interests in Tropical Rivers: Research & Management Issues. CSIRO, NAILSMA and Tropical Savannas Management CRC, Darwin.
The IWPG does not exclude any Indigenous groups and provides equal weight to issues of rights, responsibilities and interests with respect to sustainable use and management of water resources. Key Objectives of the IWPG The IWPG has two main objectives. The first objective focuses on improving Indigenous people s awareness of water reform particularly that which is directed under the NWI, so that informed decisions are made about water planning and management as it affects communities in the north of Australia. The second objective is to direct research relating to Indigenous rights, responsibilities and interests in water resources in northern Australia so that: Indigenous knowledge of customary and traditional water use are identified (such as high value cultural and ecological water systems and areas); Indigenous knowledge, customary practices and intellectual property in water are recognised, valued and protected; Indigenous people are engaged in consumptive and non-consumptive water planning and policy development; the economic future of Indigenous people is secured in the development of water reforms (in both the present and the emerging industries); existing policies on the regulation of tourism, weeds and feral animals, and other impacts on water resources are examined. IWPG Structure The IWPG is made up of key Indigenous representatives from major regional organisations across the north that represents a large number of Indigenous communities and Traditional Owners. Core partners currently include: Kimberley Land Council, Northern Land Council, Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation, Cape York Land Council, and Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, although key stakeholders external to the major land councils may be co-opted onto the IWPG. The Yawoorroong Miriuwung Gajerrong Yirrgeb Noong Dawang Aboriginal Corporation is a key stakeholder and member of the IWPG. The IWPG is supported by an Advisory group and a Policy Engagement Group. Advisors act independently in an advisory capacity to provide strategic advice to the IWPG on matters concerning research and policies as they affect Indigenous communities in the north. As required, the IWPG may commission researchers to engage in research programs and to provide briefing papers that review relevant literature and policy documents that will assist in developing informed Indigenous policy positions. The Policy Engagement Group (PEG) is currently made up of key representatives from state (WA and QLD), territory (NT) and national (NWC) water agencies, but is not exclusive of other water agencies. PEG may act to support the IWPG to engage Indigenous positions on water resources in the north of Australia with development initiatives at the state, territory and federal levels. The approach for engagement between PEG and the IWPG is two-fold. Foremost, it provides for meaningful Indigenous integrated policy development. Secondly, it provides for a coordinated approach that crosses jurisdictions to the management and security of water resources unique to the north of Australia. Stakeholders The IWPG work with many stakeholders, including Indigenous communities, organisations and institutions; north Australian water resource managers, research organisations and programs (such as TRaCK) and policy advisors; north Australian economic development policy officers; other government and non government organisations; as well as potential investors. Outcomes to date Since its inception in 2006, the IWPG has achieved many significant outcomes.
Establishment formal relationships with Advisory and Policy Engagement Groups. Regular coordinated meetings (four times each year) Delivered three research case studies 1. David Cooper and Sue Jackson (2008) Preliminary Study on Indigenous Water Values and Interests in the Katherine Region of the Northern Territory. NAILSMA & CSIRO, Darwin. 2. Jon Altman assisted by Virginie Branchut (2008) Fresh Water in the Maningrida Region s Hybrid Economy: Intercultural contestation over values and property rights. NAILSMA & UNU, Canberra. 3. Ben Scambary (2008) Mining and Indigenous values of water Gulf of Carpentaria case study. NAILSMA & CSIRO, Darwin. Delivered two literature reviews 1. Sue Jackson (2007) Indigenous Interests and the National Water Initiative (NWI). Water management, reform and implementation, NAILSMA & CSIRO, Darwin 2. Melanie Durette (2008) Indigenous legal rights to freshwater: Australia in the international context. NAILSMA & ANU, Canberra Delivered a number of other publications, 1. Armstrong, R (2008) An overview of Indigenous Rights in Water Resource Management NAILSMA & Lingiari Inc., Darwin. 2. Armstrong, R. (2007) Background briefing paper Water Management and water Markets. Unpublished, North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance. Darwin, NT. 3. Jackson, S. and Morrison, J. (2007) Indigenous perspectives in water management, reforms and implementation. In Hussey, K & S. Dovers (Eds) Managing Water for Australia: the social and institutional challenges. CSIRO, Melbourne. 4. Williams, N., Wearne, G., Wearne, J. and Morrison, J. (2007) Guidelines and Protocols for the Conduct of Research. North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance. Darwin, NT. 5. Water Planning in Katherine. An information book for Aboriginal people living in the Katherine region, Northern Territory. (2007) CSIRO, Darwin. Developed a communication strategy and a number of other supporting communications (electronic newsletter, media releases, web pages, articles in Kantri Laif). Participated in various fora: 1. The second National Indigenous Land and Sea Management Conference, Cardwell (Oct 2007) 2. Lorrae McArthur (November 2007) Northern Australia Land and Water Assessment Workshop. Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, QLD. 3. Joe Morrison (March 2008) Indigenous northern Australia and the reforms: Indigenous Water Policy Group. Kimberley Water Forum. Broome. 4. Joe Morrison (March 2008) Public participation in water policy and management: Aboriginal engagement and the Indigenous water facilitator s network. Kimberley Water Forum. Broome. 5. Joe Ross (April 2008) Australian Government s 2020 Summit, Canberra. 6. Joe Ross (June 2008) National Indigenous Climate Change Dialogue Global Foundation, Melbourne. 7. Joe Ross (June 2008) ABC North Australian Forum. Environment and Water 8. Joe Ross (June 2008) National Water Planners Forum, National Water Commission, Melbourne 9. Joe Ross (July 2008) Science and Indigenous Futures Roundtable. CSIRO, Broome 10. IWPG (August 2008) An International Indigenous Expert Exchange on Issues and Opportunities arising from Emerging Trends in Mainstream Water Management. NAILSMA & UNU TKI Gulkula, north east Arnhem Land 7-8 August. 11. Desmond Hill (August 2008) Indigenous Access to Water Policy Development. NRM and Primary Industries Ministerial Standing Committee-Indigenous Working Group. Kununurra. 12. Joe Ross (September 2008) KALACC Festival, Gaadmungungardi. Arnbardah Community, WA.
13. Joe Ross (October 2008) 2 nd National Indigenous Climate Change Dialogue Global Foundation, Melbourne 14. Joe Ross, Nolan Hunter, Kate Maltby, Samara Erlandson & Lorrae McArthur (November 2008) CSIRO 2 nd Indigenous Roundtable: Water and Climate Change, Mildura 15. Joe Ross & Richard Ah Mat (November 2008) Northern Australia Land and Water Taskforce, Canberra 16. Joe Ross, Nolan Hunter, Des Hill (November 2008) National Indigenous Water Focus Group, MLDRIN, NAILSMA IWPG & NWC, Adelaide 17. Joe Ross & KLC (November 2008) La Grange Water Plan meeting. DoW, Broome Memberships: 1. Northern Land and Water Taskforce, Joe Ross (Chairperson) & Richie Ah Mat. 2. Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge Consortium, Joe Morrison Theme Leader 6 of TRaCK research program 3. Northern Land and Water Futures Assessment, Cultural and Social Program - Lorrae McArthur 4. National Water Commission Steering Committee for two projects (National Risk Assessment Guidelines Water Services in Remote Indigenous Communities, and Guidelines and Best Practice Documentation Water Supply in Remote Indigenous Communities, Richard Ah Mat 5. National Water Commission Stakeholder Reference Group, Sam Bush Blanasi 6. North West Queensland Regional Water Supply Strategy Management Committee TBC 7. Australian Indigenous Freshwater Roundtable Steering Committee Joe Ross Successful funding grants: 1. National Indigenous Freshwater Focus Group Concept meeting (November 2008). Co-convened MLDRIN & NAILSMA IWPG, 30K National Water Commission 2. National Indigenous Freshwater Roundtable (2009-12). Co-convened MILDRIN & NAILSMA IWPG, 450K National Water Commission. Established the Indigenous Community Water Facilitator Network (ICWFN) Indigenous Community Water Facilitator Network The ICWFN is a community based network aimed to advance Indigenous engagement in research and management in northern Australia and act as a vehicle to ensure that Indigenous interests are heard and included in water planning, management and policy processes. The network is made up of six regionally based Facilitators that are supported by a Coordinator based in Darwin. The six Facilitators are for the Fitzroy and Ord catchments in WA, the Katherine-Daly catchment in the NT and the Southern Gulf, Mitchell and Wenlock River Catchments in the Nth QLD. Future Direction of the IWPG The key priorities of the IWPG is to examine Indigenous water allocation, community consultative process and best practice community engagement, legal rights and water resource management in terms of interests, issues, access and economic opportunities. Research The IWPG is currently directing legal research on water rights and research on the potential for Indigenous water markets in northern Australia. The IWPG is currently seeking opportunities to engage in research on Indigenous Knowledge (IK). Forums The IWPG will be participating in a number of upcoming forums. Regionally, the IWPG is hosting its next meeting with PEG and Advisors in February 2009. Nationally, the IWPG will be participating and assisting in the establishment of an Australian Indigenous Freshwater Roundtable that is being convened by the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations (MLDRIN) and funded by the NWC. The IWPG is also assisting the
NWC in convening an Indigenous Water Planning Forum that will be held in February 2009. Internationally, the IWPG are co-coordinating with the UNU-TKI a session on Culture and Water at the 5 th World Water Forum that is being held in March 2009 and in the development of a Declaration on Indigenous Peoples water rights that will be launched at the World Water Forum. Contacts Dr. Lorrae McArthur Coordinator IWPG North Australian Indigenous Land & Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA) ph: 08 8946 6973 fax: 08 8946 6388 email: Lorrae.McArthur@cdu.edu.au Mr. Joe Ross Chairman IWPG ph: 0438 000 651 fax: 08 8946 6388 email: willigan@bunuba.com Mr. Joe Morrison Project manager IWPG North Australian Indigenous Land & Sea Management Alliance (NAILSMA) ph: 08 8946 7691 fax: 08 8946 6388 email: Jessica.LewFatt@cdu.edu.au This initiative is funded by the National Water Commission www.nailsma.org.au