The Indigenous Water Policy Group (IWPG) will oversee the
Indigenous Community Water Facilitator Network (ICWFN). The success
of various projects currently being undertaken in northern
Australia, such as those conducted under the Tropical River and Coastal Knowledge (TRaCK)
research program, are greatly dependent upon a strong understanding
and capacity for local communities to effectively engage in
discussions about the future of north Australia’s water
resources. However, facilitation at the community level to
integrate Indigenous interests in water management among the
various stakeholders remains deficient.
The aims of the ICWFN are to:
- establish a community based network to advance Indigenous
engagement in research and management of tropical rivers, water use
and conservation across northern Australia, and,
- act as a catalyst to ensure that Indigenous interests are
articulated, encouraged and incorporated into water policy
decisions, management plans and water allocations.
The overall outcomes of this level of engagement will include
health, economic, cultural, environmental and social benefits among
Indigenous participants.
Funding for the ICWFN has been provided by the
National Water Commission until 2011 under the Raising National
Water Standards programme.
Under the direction of the IWPG, NAILSMA and its partner
organisations a network of six regionally based Indigenous
Community Water Facilitators will be established. The ICWFN is
envisaged to enhance and secure the long-term engagement within
Indigenous communities through the development of extensive
community networks. The ICWFN will support communication, training,
education, Indigenous engagement in research and the planning and
establishment of management frameworks for tropical rivers. In
addition to the ICWFN, a Coordinator will be positioned in Darwin
to oversee the engagement amongst the community, NAILSMA partner
agencies, researchers and other water users and managers, and the
ICWFN.
The ICWFN will report to the IWPG, TRaCK, the National Water
Commission and State and Territory jurisdictions.
