Long Oral Presentation 11th Australian Stream Management Conference 2024

Incorporating First Nations Knowledge into Technical Water Projects (#79)

Jamie Kaye 1 , Bec Barnett 2 , Tahlia Rossi 3
  1. Water Technology, Wangaratta, VIC, Australia
  2. Relative Creative, Burleigh Heads, QLD, Australia
  3. Water Technology, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
  • A project was undertaken in Queensland to address the research question: ‘How can First Nations Knowledge and practices be meaningfully incorporated within technical water projects?’. Collaborative research and engagement were undertaken with a focus placed on how government, research and the water industry can champion the integration of First Nations Water and Land Management Knowledge and practices within typical approaches used in the water industry.
  • Based on an understanding of current barriers and challenges, a framework was developed for meaningful collaboration on water issues with First Nations Knowledge Holders. This framework is now being trialed in a two-year implementation project.
  • This project has a number of findings including: the need for funding to support Aboriginal Ranger to implement practical landscape rehabilitation works; western concept of landscape conservation contrasts with First Nations land management practices; culturally responsive engagement, on country, is required to ensure Indigenous Knowledge is valued within landscape rehabilitation projects; work is required around First Nations data sovereignty to develop data agreements incorporating ‘Indigenous Cultural Intellectual Property (ICIP). Later stages of the project involved a case study at Lake Munga near St George, south-west Queensland where consultation and a field visit helped to identify rehabilitation objectives for the site. Water modelling was used to understand and demonstrate how historic actions had affected the site, and to inform restoration actions based on Indigenous Knowledge and practice.
  • This project has identified a process and opportunities for First Nations Knowledge to be incorporated into water modelling, and how modelling can used by First Nations peoples to identify the limitations and opportunities of implementing culturally appropriate practices in restoration activities.
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