Tropical Rivers & Coastal Knowledge (TRaCK) Project

Background

Australia’s tropical rivers and coasts are widely recognised for their outstanding natural and cultural values.  However, the region faces significant environmental challenges associated with increasing pressure to develop water resources, catchments and coastal environments, as well as managing existing threats, including weeds and feral animals.

The Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge (TRaCK) Research Hub brings together Australia's 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.

Over 50 leading tropical river and coastal researchers from 15 organisations have joined this consortium, including Charles Darwin University.

The research program has seven interconnected themes and is designed to generate and share the knowledge needed by regional NRM bodies, governments, Indigenous communities and industry to underpin the sustainable management of tropical rivers and coastal environments.

NAILSMA have carriage of Theme 6 (Sustainable Enterprises) of the TRaCK research program.

Theme 6 (Sustainable Enterprises)

Theme 6 (Sustainable Enterprises) is investigating opportunities for sustainable enterprises, based around river resources.

It specifically aims to:

• identify ecologically sustainable and culturally appropriate use of coastal and riverine resources that are presently un- or under-developed, but which offer opportunities to create innovative development options for remote and regional communities;
• develop culturally appropriate business strategies and models that are well matched to the needs and aspirations of the resident population whilst maintaining ecological integrity;
• apply scientific and Indigenous knowledge to design management and governance systems in order to apply lessons learnt and foster innovation;
• critically examine projects by developing thorough monitoring and evaluation frameworks.  This theme will include, but is not limited to, testing appropriate indicators to assess the condition of environmental assets and monitor the ecological sustainability of developments.

The major activities to be carried out under this theme include:

• water markets – an examination of the possibility for new water dependent and related markets in the north and the issues, impediments and opportunities that exist for land owners and managers;
• property rights - an examination of the current legal framework and precedent at a national and international perspective, and its applicability for Indigenous people;
• case studies - practical initiatives and linkages to regional and local projects.  These initiatives will be informed by the threshold research work concerning water markets and property rights.