Bringing Aboriginal people into water planning - lessons from the Daly River: Riversymposium Conference, Brisbane 2008

With increased demands on water resources, and potential threats from climate change, there is an increased awareness across Australia of the importance of water planning. Water planning processes are complex and time consuming requiring engagement from all stakeholders, especially in the north. Ensuring input from Indigenous stakeholders in this process is crucial where water planning should endeavour to address the concerns and views of Aboriginal people. In the past Aboriginal people have had limited engagement and participation. In this project visioning and scenario tools are being developed and tested to facilitate greater engagement in water planning by Indigenous people in the Daly River region in the Northern Territory of Australia, (in particular the Daly River Aboriginal Reference Group (ARG)). The project aims to build Indigenous peoples capacity to engage on equal terms in catchment planning processes and to develop the skills required to participate in cross-sectoral water planning processes. The project is empowering members of the ARG with skills necessary to undertake participatory simulation modelling. In this paper we will discuss – 1. The visioning and scenario tools selected and employed; 2. The development of scenarios for the Daly River catchment; and 3. The perceptions of ARG members regarding the role of Aboriginal people in influencing water policy.

Link to audio of presentation as follows:
http://www.riversymposium.com/index.php?page=2008
A2E Duncan, Hunter-Xenie, Powell and Ross