Theme 6: Sustainable enterprises

Joe MorrisonThere are many impediments to the development of enterprises in riverine and coastal environments across northern Australia. These impediments range from the logistic and technical difficulties arising from tropicality and remoteness to communication with audiences that speak English as a second and sometimes third language. Researchers in Theme 6 are identifying sustainable and culturally appropriate uses of riverine and coastal resources, which offer opportunities for innovative enterprise development in remote and regional communities.

Projects

6.1: Establishing water markets in northern Australia
Quentin Grafton

Northern Australian Indigenous people are among the most disadvantaged in the nation.  Improved socio-economic status will depend on access to, and sustainable use of, natural resources, including water.

This research will examine 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.

6.2: Indigenous rights to water in northern Australia
Michael O'Donnell

This project builds on recent work done on international developments in Indigenous water rights. The project is examining the detail of present law and associated process in northern Australia and the way it deals with native title and other Indigenous interests in water. In particular, the project will investigate (i) the match of State and Territory law to the National Water Initiative in areas affecting Indigenous interests; (ii) obligations under existing law and process in water planning, including the nature of consultation required, treatment of native title etc and; (iii) implications of recent court decisions (especially Blue Mud Bay).

6.3: Developing an effective conservation and sustainable use economy in Arnhem Land: options for payment for environmental services
John Altman

Much of the Indigenous estate in north Australia is either thinly populated or unpopulated. There is emerging evidence that, in situations where Indigenous people live on their country, ecological and wider benefits are generated via favourable fire regimes, control over weed infestations, and potentially through feral animal harvesting.  When people are on country, they generate economic benefit for themselves by harvesting wildlife for consumption and engage with the market sector by using natural resources in commercial enterprise like arts and crafts production.

This research project seeks to quantify the environmental needs and costs of environmental management in two contexts, the Mann-Liverpool riverine environment in central Arnhem Land, where the Djelk IPA is to be declared in August 2009, and the coastal area of the Dhimurru IPA.

6.4: Development of a holistic sustainable Indigenous livelihoods plan for the Archer River Basin, Cape York
Lorrae McArthur

Traditional Owners and their supporting organisations from the Archer River catchment are working with TRaCK in a participatory, action-based research project that will lead to the development of a holistic basin-wide sustainable Indigenous livelihoods plan. The focus will be on the delivery of environmental services by Indigenous people but it will also look for other opportunities that will contribute to a sustainable livelihoods agenda.

6.5: Nyikina Mangala Mardoowarra (Fitzroy River) Sustainable Livelihoods on Country Case Study
Lorrae McArthur

This participatory, action-based research project will document the factors that have contributed to the Nyikina Mangala Traditional Owners' sustainable livelihoods agenda to date. The project will also work to build local leadership and governance capacity, develop and implement a number of strategic management plans, and document barriers, strategies and actions to achieve Indigenous sustainable livelihoods on country.

Publications

Report
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10/2009 Analysis of institutional arrangements and constraints affecting the establishment of water markets across northern Australia Report
03/2011 Assessment of the potential costs and benefits of water trading across northern Australia Report
03/2011 Indigenous Rights in Water in Northern Australia - NAILSMA/TRaCK Project 6.2 Report
08/2010 Stakeholder values and attitudes towards water markets across northern Australia Report
Presentation
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09/2009 Economic interests, issues and opportunities in northern Australia….Indigenous values: Riversymposium Conference, Brisbane 2009 Presentation
Conference Participation
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11/2009 Options for developing a natural-resource based economy in Arnhem Land: payments for environmental services Conference Participation
Magazine Article
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05/2010 TRaCK sustainable livelihoods Magazine Article
05/2010 TRaCK Water trading Magazine Article

our research themes

Theme 1: Scenario EvaluationTheme 2: Assets and ValuesTheme 3: River and Coastal SettingsTheme 4: Material BudgetsTheme 5: Foodwebs and BiodiversityTheme 6: Sustainable enterprisesTheme 7: Knowedge and Adoption

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