Finding the balance for freshwater futures
Rowan Reilly and Susannah Clement from the Office of Water Security were on hand to present on the Northern Territory (NT) Government’s newly released Territory Water Plan alongside a diverse list of panellists including academics, lawyers, members of community organisations and Aboriginal leaders. The ‘Freshwater Futures’ panel discussion was part of the Environment Centre Northern Territory’s (ECNT) State of the Environment Northern Territory conference, held at the George Brown Botanic Gardens in Darwin (Larrakia country) on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 September.
Panellists were asked to reflect on the NT Government’s water policies, and consider if they are able to meet community expectations to manage water resources over the coming decades.
Community members from across the NT shared their stories with passion, drawing on local knowledge and rich personal perspectives. While prominent academics and legal commentators from across Australia provided, at times, sober assessments of the lessons learned from elsewhere and the challenges of effective and just water management.
Key themes heard in the panel discussion included:
- safe drinking water, water rights and water justice for Aboriginal Territorians
- listening to the community and traditional knowledge
- protecting rivers, aquifers and groundwater-dependent eco-systems
- climate change and development risks
- improving water legislation and governance
- finding the right balance in water management.
Discussions at the conference showed that the commitments in the Territory Water Plan are welcomed. The Territory Water Plan is the NT Government’s first whole‑of‑government strategic plan for water. The plan aims to deliver water security for all Territorians, now and into the future. Importantly it includes commitments to deliver improvements in drinking water quality for Aboriginal Territorians, and identifies water policy and legislation reform.
Comments from across the two-day event emphasised the need for government to work in partnership with the community and Aboriginal Territorians when managing precious natural resources, from waterways to tropical savannahs. This means taking the time to listen to community aspirations and cultural needs.
Over lunch time on the last day, in true Territorian style and a genuine and special cultural exchange, all conference-goers joined together to learn and participate in a cultural dance with Tiwi Island dancers who had travelled to share with them their stories.
