Research Results
Describe Indigenous cultural values and needs across Australia
Australian Cultural Heritage Management, in collaboration with Flinders University, was commissioned to undertake a literature review of First Nations' uses and values of water, as well as existing methodologies for calculating cultural water requirements.
The Literature Review highlights the strong cultural association that First Nations have with water, and the long history of active water management. This report provided a basis for the subsequent research components.
Develop and use methodologies to describe and measure cultural water uses, values, and needs of particular Australian Indigenous communities with a focus on the Murray-Darling Basin
Rural Solutions South Australia were commissioned to undertake the field research components, focusing on two case study sites in the Murray-Darling Basin - Toogimbie Wetlands (near Hay, NSW) and Gooraman Swamp (near Weilmoringle, NSW). Working in partnership with the Nari Nari Tribal Council and Murrawarri Provisional Council of State, the collaborative research teams designed and trialled methods to determine cultural water values and needs, bringing together existing recorded information about the two sites with the perspectives of First Nations' water interests, cultural assets and aspirations.
Toogimbie Wetlands and Gooraman Swamp Cultural Site Ecological Characterisation report provides a character description of each of the case study sites, presenting the Traditional Aboriginal Knowledge and Western science ecological knowledge with a focus on the water-dependent components, processes, functions and services.
Aboriginal Water Interests for Establishing Cultural Flows: Preliminary Findings Report outlines the results of the Participatory Action Research, describing cultural flow objectives and providing program logics and indicator frameworks for each of the case study sites.
Quantify water volumes to meet cultural values and needs, and scientific assessment of trial flows
Modelling was undertaken to determine the water regime that would be required to achieve the defined cultural flow objectives of each case study site. Monitoring methodologies were developed and baseline data was collected by the First Nation research teams. Natural flooding prevented the application of the simulated cultural flow that was intended for Toogimbie Wetlands, and the monitoring methodology was adjusted as a result.
The Hydrological and Hydraulic Modeling Report describes the methodology for calculating cultural flow requirements.
Toogimbie Wetlands Indicator Framework and Methodology report describes the key monitoring and evaluation activities, including detailed sampling methods, that were conducted as part of the intended watering trial. Pre- and Post- flow data was collected.
Gooraman Swamp Cultural Flow Monitoring and Evaluation Plan outlines the monitoring and evaluation activities to be conducted at Gooraman Swamp should a future cultural flow occur. Baseline data was collected through this project.
The Field Work Results and Findings Report summarises the overall findings from the field components of the research.
Develop and implement a monitoring methodology of the ecological and socio-economic, health and wellbeing outcomes of cultural flows and analyse how they compare with environmental flow outcomes
The Cultural Flow Field Studies Final Report brings together what was learnt during the field-based research components and describes their implications for cultural flows more broadly across Australia.
A ten-step process was developed for First Nations to identify cultural flow values and objectives, undertake cultural flow planning and implement monitoring and evaluation of cultural outcomes from the watering. A Cultural Flows Water Managers' Guide describes the detailed methodology for undertaking cultural flow assessments, and is accompanied by a more succinct Cultural Flows Guide for First Nations.
Recommend policy, legal and institutional changes that will enable the implementation of cultural flows for the economic, social and cultural benefit of Indigenous communities.
A comprehensive analysis of the range of legal, policy and governance mechanisms available to influence cultural flow outcomes was undertaken by the University of Melbourne. It outlines three broad pathways for achieving First Nations' water outcomes - seeking direct control of water resources, increasing influence in broader water governance and transforming the underpinning policy and governance water management structures.
A Multi-layer Plan for Cultural Flows in Australia: Legal and Policy Design maps out potential pathways for achieving water equality.
A Pathway to Cultural Flows in Australia summarises the key elements of the legal and policy analysis.
Build the capacity of Indigenous communities to articulate their water needs and advocate for cultural water allocations for the economic, social and cultural benefit of Indigenous communities.
Throughout the implementation of the National Cultural Flows Research Project, and through subsequent engagement with Nations across the Murray-Darling Basin, MLDRIN and NBAN are supporting First Nations to strengthen their knowledge of the water management sector and the opportunities to secure cultural flow outcomes.
Inform First Nations communities of the process and activities related to the research program.
Delegates of MLDRIN and NBAN were involved throughout the research project, and undertook a comprehensive review of the final research outputs.
Dhungala Baaka - Rethinking the Future of Water Management in Australia provides a broad overview of the project purpose and findings.
Support the Research Committee in its objectives, and provide executive and administrative assistance
Robust project management processes were put in place to ensure the research project was delivered effectively and with the participation of First Nations.