" Management
of Martuwarra (Fitzroy River) catchment is at a crossroads, with diverse and conflicting visions for its future."
Enabling Traditional Owners to play a lead role in water policymaking
In this project we explore how new technologies can enable Traditional Owners to take a lead in the discussion around the future of water policymaking in Fitzroy River basin.
Background
The Martuwarra – Fitzroy River is an iconic national and Indigenous heritage listed river system in Australia. In the Fitzroy Valley, Traditional Owners own approximately half of the pastoral leases in the river basin, meaning Aboriginal people are the key group government and industry must work with in relation to water policy making . They want to be at the front and centre of any decision making about water (Poelina et al., 2019). To them indigenous water management is less about economic values. Rather, they regard the inland waters, rivers and wetlands as an inseparable part of their estates. As well as underpinning social and economic well-being, Indigenous people’s relationship with waters, lands and its resources is crucial to cultural vitality and resilience.
Fitzroy River basin is a unique case in Australia. It is the first time that Traditional Owners hold native title rights across an entire basin area. This is an opportunity for Traditional Owners to see culturally and environmentally appropriate development that is sustainable in the long-term.
Our story
Challenge
Given Traditional Owners’ land and water right, they want to be seen and heard appropriately by government and industry actors as the water right holder managing water resources. They want to be involved in any future water policymaking. Also, Fitzroy River Council has declared Traditional Owners will not accept any water allocation plan that leaves them with leftover water after everyone else has taken out water first.
In this project we explore the ways though which we can enable Traditional Owners to play a lead role in water planning and policymaking given their limitation in management. In particular we look into how they can use the new technologies to achieve their goals.
