MLDRIN and the MDBA A Partnership Approach •MLDRIN •TLM IPP •UOM •Cultural Flows
Dec 03, 2014
MLDRIN and the MDBAA Partnership Approach
•MLDRIN
•TLM IPP
•UOM
•Cultural Flows
M O U between the MLDRIN & MDBA
…a framework for the participation of Indigenous nations in the management of the natural resources …
The Living Murray
Indigenous Partnerships Project
(Altman, J.C., Buchanan, G.J. and Larsen, L., 2007)
< 0.2% of the Basin in Indigenous Estate
Indigenous Engagement in NRM Ownership of land/water
Ownership of land/water with covenants (eg. Native Title)
High level control over land/water through planning
Joint Ownership
Native Title access
Joint Management
Input into management/planning
Advisory Committee involvement
Indigenous consultation
Site management
Extent of Involvement
The Reality
The Theory (incl. policies, international obligations etc)
Indigenous involvement until now…
• Site management
• The ‘motherhood’ dimension
IPP Principles• Traditional Owners • Informed consent • Improving capacity to engage• Delivering social, economic,
environmental and cultural outcomes• Partnerships based on respect, honesty,
and capacity to participate equally, with shared responsibility and clearly defined accountability and authority
Values
SitesSpiritual connections
Inter-generational
knowledge
Education
Country
Access
StoriesEmployment
Icon Site Management
Plan
Food
Indigenous Facilitators
• One per Icon Site, regionally based• Guide & facilitate involvement of
Indigenous community• Gladys Sumner – Chowilla• Ken Stewart – Hattah• Lee Joachim – Barmah-Millewa• Damian Morgan-Bulled – Gunbower, Koondrook,
Perricoota• Grant Rigney – Murray Mouth, Coorong and Lower
Lakes
Indigenous Working Groups
• One per Icon Site• Ensure consultation is undertaken in an
appropriate way & in-line with principles• 2 representatives from each statutory
Indigenous organisation and Traditional Owners groups
• Flexibility with respect to existing forums• Meets 3 – 4 times per year
Use & Occupancy Mapping
• Methodology developed in Canada 25 years ago
• Individual experiences brought together using a rigorous social science methodology
• Information recorded spatially
• Data is digitised and collated
Use & Occupancy MappingIndividual Map
Biographies
n = all participants
Thematic
n = approx 7 themes
Composite
Hunting sites
Plant harvest
sites
Occupation sites
All data from all participants
Typically 10 - 30,000 data
points
40 – 60 features
relevant to purpose of mapping project
Example UOM Questions
21) Did you ever collect native BEE HONEYCOMB for eating purposes? [HC] – If “yes,” show some spots.
30) Did you ever collect MEDICINE PLANTS for use by you or your family? [MP]– If “yes,” show some spots. What kind of
plant did you collect at each spot?
U&O Mapping Pre-test methodology
AustralianMap Icons
Repatriation site
Death Site
Specialty Wood
Yorta Yorta U&O Mapping Pilot
Map Biographies underway…
Outputs from the Yorta Yorta Pilot• 66 respondents• av. length of interview: 80 minutes• 6500 features mapped• Up to 456 features per individual • av. # features: 91• median # features: 64 • 104 map sheets used
Outcomes• NRM• Individuals• Indigenous Nation• Awareness
Cultural Flows
• “Cultural Flows” are water entitlements that are legally and beneficially owned by the Indigenous Nations of a sufficient and adequate quantity and quality to improve the spiritual, cultural, environmental, social and economic conditions of those Indigenous Nations”.
Cultural Water can be used for the following purposes:
• Empowerment and social justice - water is delivered to Country by the peoples;
• Growing native plants;• Protecting and hunting animals;• Song, dance, art and ceremony;• Spiritual sites; and• Improved cultural-economic and health
outcomes through the provision of food, medicines and materials for art.
Water Options
Moose II & Training
Timeline Environmental Flows Cultural Flows
Pre-1970 Not considered Not considered
1970’sOn ‘radar’Increasing awareness of water quality and salinity problemsMurray-Darling Basin MC & Commission established; CAC created1980’s
1990 LearningMDBC NRM StrategyBarmah-Millewa Forest Management Plan / Agreement – creation of the B-M environmental reserveReport on Water Use in the Murray-Darling Basin
1991
1992
1993
1994 On ‘radar’ Lake Victoria cultural heritage protection – investigation & worksBarkindji Elders Committee & Lake Victoria Advisory Committee MLDRIN MOU drafted
1995
1996
1997 Strategy DevelopmentCap on DiversionsSalinity AuditICM Policy Statement
1998
1999
2000 LearningScoping Study on NRM involvementIndigenous employees2001 Action (projects)
E-Flows Expert Reference Panel reportMurray Mouth dredging MDBMC First Step Decision on TLMRiver Red Gum health survey & trial flooding
2002 Strategy DevelopmentMLDRIN MOU signed by NSWIndigenous Action Plan developedTLM Indigenous Partnerships Project developedMLDRIN MOU signed by MDBC
2003
2004 On-ground outcomes (results)Riparian response & bird breeding eventsFlooding through weir raising2005
2006 Monitoring & improvement
2007 Action (projects) - Cultural mapping
The Murray-Darling Basin
14% of Australia14% of Australia
1 million sq. km1 million sq. km
Australia’s Australia’s “food bowl”“food bowl”
Largely Largely semi aridsemi arid
River River MurrayMurray
6 governments6 governments
Over 2 million Over 2 million people + people +