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Key takeaways
First Nation groups in North Queensland have the chance to explore and consider new opportunities related to water rights, land access and environmental services through a new guide aimed at improving First Nation participation in freshwater governance and management. These opportunities are just starting to be identified and put into action, and they can play a big role in helping communities become more resilient to drought.
The TNQ Drought Hub’s Sustainable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Enterprise (SATSIE) program has developed the first of its kind, “First Nations and Freshwater in North Queensland 2023 Guide”. The guide aims to assist North Queensland First Nation organisations and businesses to better understand and make use of their existing interests, rights and opportunities in freshwater under Queensland Government Water Plans. It also provides a background and understanding of Indigenous water rights in Australia and Queensland that First Nation groups can use to engage in Water Plan reviews to strengthen their water rights.
“We knew through working with First Nation groups and the DRDMW there was a gap in knowledge regarding First Nation peoples understanding of their water rights and the opportunities these rights created.”
North Queensland includes thirteen catchment-based water plan areas, namely the Cape York, Mitchell, Wet Tropics, Barron, Gulf, Burdekin Basin, Whitsunday, Pioneer Valley, Fitzroy Basin, Boyne River Basin, Calliope River Basin, Cooper Creek, and Georgina and Diamantina water plan areas. Parts of North Queensland are also subject to the Great Artesian Basin and Other Regional Aquifers (GABORA) Water Plan 2017, but the Guide does not consider sub-surface water.
These plans are designed to ensure that cultural and environmental flows are maintained in rivers while allocating water for consumptive uses including for drinking water and agriculture. Increasing recognition of First Nation peoples water rights is seeing Indigenous reserves established in water plans as they are reviewed. The Water Plan (Cape York) 2019 and Water Plan (Barron) 2023 established Indigenous reserves to help First Nations people achieve their economic, social and cultural aspirations.
As First Nations rights in water are improved through the establishment and increased volume of Indigenous reserves in water plans, Indigenous peoples will enjoy increased opportunities to engage in their own development projects requiring water, and for water trading with other parties who require water, such as miners, farmers and local governments.
Access to reliable quantities of fresh water is critical with increasing risks of drought in a changing climate so these Indigenous reserves will play an important role in future drought resilience. It is important therefore for First Nations to understand their water rights and how these can be activated.
First Nation groups wanting to know more about their water rights and how these can be used or non-Indigenous stakeholders interested in First Nation water rights are encouraged to access the guide.
For any questions, contact Program Lead, Jim Turnour: 0409 093420, jim.turnour@jcu.edu.au
