Australia’s tropical rivers and coasts are widely
recognised for their outstanding natural and cultural values. The
Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge (TRaCK) Research
Hub brings together over 50 leading tropical river and coastal
scientists and managers to:
- identify important natural assets and ecosystem services and
how they are maintained or delivered;
- assess the social, economic and environmental impact and
viability of proposed developments in the region; and
- identify opportunities to develop genuinely sustainable
enterprises.
Though the program is now complete, aside from its continued
Synthesis and Adoption Year (2011-12), the TRaCK program had
seven interconnected themes designed to generate and share the
knowledge needed by regional natural resource management (NRM)
bodies, governments, Indigenous communities and industry to
underpin the sustainable management of tropical rivers and coastal
environments.
NAILSMA managed Theme 6
(Sustainable Enterprises), which coordinated two foundational
projects and three case studies.
Theme 6 - Sustainable Enterprises projects
6.1 Establishing water markets in northern
Australia
This research was led by Quentin Grafton of the
Australian National University, and examined the potential
effectiveness and durability of water markets in tropical
Australia, how the transition to market-based allocation may
interact with existing institutions, and the potential
socio-economic impacts arising from an open trading market.
Publications from this research are available from the right
hand column of this page.
6.2 Indigenous rights to water in northern
Australia
This research was led by Michael O'Donnell of John
Toohey Chambers, and examined present law and associated process in
northern Australia and the way it deals with native title and other
Indigenous interests in water. The Final Report from this
research is available from the right hand column of this
page.
6.3 Developing an effective conservation and sustainable
use economy in Arnhem Land: options for payment for environmental
services
This case study was led by Jon Altman of the Australian
National University, and quantified the environmental needs and
costs of environmental management in central Arnhem Land's
Djelk Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) in the
Mann-Liverpool riverine environment and the Dhimurru IPA in the coastal area.
6.4 Strategies for establishing Indigenous management
arrangements for the Archer River Basin
This case study was led by Ellie Austin of the Balkanu Cape York Development Corporation, and
examined best practice management of resources that support
sustainable Indigenous livelihoods through a whole-of-basin
approach. See the Yuk Maak Newsletter Summer Edition
2011 as an outcome of this project.
6.5 Nyikina Mangala Native Title Group ecosystem services
in the Mardoowarra (Fitzroy) River Catchment
This case study was led by Anne Poelina of the Nyikina Mangala
Aboriginal Corporation and developed a collaborative research
process to identify strategies and actions to improve Indigenous
management and livelihoods and develop best practice policies,
protocols, strategies and actions for sustainable resource
use.
Page last updated September
2011
