Oral Presentation Australian Society for Limnology Conference 2017

Aboriginal engagement in Australia’s water markets: A New South Wales case study (#67)

Lana D Hartwig 1
  1. Griffith University, Southport, QUEENSLAND, Australia

Water markets are maturing significantly in Australia’s Murray-Darling Basin and are beginning to spread to other parts of the country. Yet, very little research has examined the implications water markets may present for Aboriginal peoples and there is a real need to understand the current state of Aboriginal market engagement. In this presentation, I will share preliminary findings from interviews with Aboriginal organisations throughout New South Wales that have engaged in water trading in some capacity since 2004. Through describing the stories of these organisations and their unique experiences of water trading, I will address questions such as (a) why and how are Aboriginal organisations are engaged? (b) what or whom has helped or facilitated engagement? and (c) what obstacles, barriers and difficulties have Aboriginal organisations encountered? I will conclude by exploring possible key opportunities the water market may offer Aboriginal organisations into the future, including opportunities that tie to environmental water and management.