
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...”
- Land, water and people are inextricably connected, which means
unity of land, water and Indigenous people.
- 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.
- Adhering to a balanced revised ‘Triple Bottom Line’
(social and cultural, ecological and economic) to include the
fourth element, political sustainability.
- 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.
- Principles of International Law (e.g. UNDRIP, Ramsar) are
implemented and guide the engagement of Indigenous water resource
management in water reform processes.
- Water allocation be linked with best practice, sustainable,
efficient use and accurate and current information about
environmental flows and conditions.
- Indigenous people across north Australia are united in dealing
with water issues and accordingly recognise that:
-
- 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 12th 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:

Page last updated November 2011