14 November 2007
The National Water Commission is injecting more than $5.5
million into two projects in northern Australia to foster
Indigenous engagement in water resource management.
The North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance
(NAILSMA) has been awarded two grants from the Commission totalling
$5.54 million to support its initiatives: the Indigenous Water
Policy Group and the Indigenous Community Water Facilitator
Network.
NAILSMA promotes strategic community-driven approaches to water
management in northern Australia and is a partner agency of the
Tropical Savannas CRC which is hosted by Charles Darwin University
(CDU).
The Executive Officer of NAILSMA, Joe Morrison, said the low
awareness of the Federal Government's plans for water reform among
the Indigenous population, particularly in rural and remote areas
of northern Australia, could impede the implementation of the
National Water Initiative, its efficiency of allocations and the
equitable distribution of benefits flowing from future
arrangements.
"Engagement with Indigenous people at the policy and regional
planning levels requires urgent collaborative attention in order
for Indigenous aspirations to be met," Mr Morrison said.
The Vice-Chancellor of CDU, Professor Helen Garnett, welcomed
the funding which recognised the need to engage Indigenous people
in managing water resources in the north of the country.
“As a nation, Australia has few more pressing issues than
the crisis in water supplies. I am particularly pleased to see the
research components in these grants which will enhance
understanding of Indigenous interests in water resources,"
Professor Garnett said.
The Federal Minister for the Environment and Water Resources,
Malcolm Turnbull, recently announced that the Government would
contribute $755,000 in continued funding from the Raising National
Water Standard Programme for the Indigenous Water Policy Group
which was set up in 2006 with seed funding from Land & Water
Australia.
The group aims to increase the awareness of Indigenous people
about the Government's plans for water reform under the National
Water Initiative, and, engage in research focusing on the rights,
interests and responsibilities of Indigenous people to water at the
policy level.
Minister Turnbull also announced that $4.787 million would
support a community-based network to involve Indigenous Australians
in the research and management of tropical rivers and water
use.
The Indigenous Community Water Facilitator Network advances
Indigenous engagement in research and management across northern
Australia at the community level, ensuring that Indigenous
interests are incorporated in water planning, management and policy
processes.
"The funding provided by the National Water Commission gives a
significant foundation for engaging at the community level so that
Indigenous knowledge and cultural values are protected, and, for
economic, social and cultural benefits to be properly
considered,” Mr Morrison said.
Under the Raising National Water Standards Programme, the
National Water Commission is investing in high priority activities
to improve Australia's national capacity to measure, monitor and
manage its water resources.
