Indigenous communities in north Australia remain relatively unaware about government plans for national water reform.

The Indigenous Water Policy Group (IWPG) was initiated in 2006 to continue the dialogue of the Lingiari Water Rights Discussion Booklets (revised 2002 - Onshore and Offshore), which identified that Indigenous rights, responsibilities and interests in water need to be recognised in all water reform management and planning processes.

Membership

The IWPG is made up of Indigenous independents expert in water resource management and representatives from major regional Indigenous organisations in the north that represent a large number of Indigenous communities. Members include: 

• Joe Ross (Chair)
  
• Richie Ah Mat ( Deputy Chair)
• Edna O'Malley (Miriuwung Gajerrong Corporation)
• Chirs Griffith (Waringarri Arts Centre & MG Corp.)
• Kim Hill (CEO - NLC)
• Robert Dalton (Policy Advisor - NTG)
  
• Mona Liddy (Wagiman Association)
• Anne Poelina (Madjulla Inc.)
  
• John Christophersen (NT Consultant)
• Murrandoo Yanner (Representative - CLCAC)
  
• Thomas Wilson (Chairman - CLCAC)
  
• Richard Jenkins (Balkanu - CYDC)
• Robbie Salee (Deputy Chair – CYLC)
• Toby Accoom (Representative, Lockhardt River - CYLC)
• Ron Archer (northern Gulf Indigenous Savannah Group)
• Peter Yu (Independent Chair NAILSMA)
  

Principles guiding the IWPG

“Water and land cannot be separated. We look and care for country together not separate...”

1. Land, water and people are inextricably connected, which means unity of land, water and Indigenous people.
2. Water management and use includes all of cultural uses, environmental flows, consumptive and commercial uses; and all freshwater systems  whether on the mainland or on sea country, on the surface or underground.
3. Adhering to a balanced revised ‘Triple Bottom Line’ (social and cultural, ecological and economic) to include the fourth element, political sustainability.
4. Water dealings are based on the free, prior, and informed consent, decisions and engagement of Indigenous communities. This means representative bodies, Indigenous communities and Traditional Owners on the ground be fully informed and participate in all associated processes.
5. Principles of International Law (e.g. UNDRIP, Ramsar) are implemented and guide the engagement of Indigenous water resource management in water reform processes.
6. Water allocation be linked with best practice, sustainable, efficient use and accurate and current information about environmental flows and conditions.
7. Indigenous people across north Australia are united in dealing with water issues and accordingly recognise that:
8. • Indigenous peoples have cultural and kinship responsibilities and obligations under customary law to look after water;
   • Traditional Owners have a right to be involved in the management and decision making over water use;
   • Indigenous people need to be the primary interface in the planning and proposed development and regulation of water use; and,
   • Water is part of native title through cultural and ceremonial practices that are part of the birds, animals, plants and people.

The IWPG adopted these principles from the Mary River Statement in October 2009.

Role and Objectives

Use the link to read full details of the IWPG role and objectives.

Strategic Plan (2010-12)

To date, NAILSMA has issued a water policy statement that asserts Indigenous peoples' intent for equitable participation in water reform processes. The IWPG will focus on further developing policies relevant to water access, rights and other community aspirations for water reform, for example social and cultural, ecological, economic and political aspirations.  At its 12^th Meeting in Cairns (Dec 2010), the IWPG identified key strategies to best approach implementation of its water policies, ie to:

• oversee a number of research consultancies that define and qualify commercial and non-commercial Indigenous access to water in some WA, NT and QLD water plans; and
  
• convene regional forums to discuss and identify Indigenous community aspirations toward ongoing and future development and management of land and water across north Australia.

Support

The National Water Commission funds the IWPG from 2007 until June 2012. Previous to this the IWPG was funded by Land and Water Australia, 2006-07.

The IWPG is supported by a Research Advisory Group (RAG) and Policy Engagement Group (PEG). Research advisors belong to research institutions and relevant organisations and act independently to provide strategic recommendation to the IWPG. PEG is made up of key representatives from relevant state and territory water agencies and may  support the IWPG to move forward Indigenous policy positions. The relationship between the IWPG and PEG provides for the meaningful development of Indigenous integrated policy, as well as a coordinated approach toward water management across the different jurisdictions of north Australia.

The IWPG works closely with the:

• TRaCK consortium, through its Indigenous engagement strategy, Theme 6 research program and its Synthesis Year;
  
• National Water Commission, through its water reform programs and the First People’s Water Engagement Council;
• federal government, through its Northern Australia Water Futures Assessment; and
• Office of Northern Australia, through the Northern Australia Indigenous experts Forum on Sustainable Economic Development.

Page last updated November 2011