The Productivity Commission’s review of National Water Reform found that current water planning, management and service delivery arrangements do not effectively account for water access aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
NRE Tas recognises we are at the beginning of a learning journey to understand Tasmanian Aboriginal people's interests and connections to freshwater systems. The Department has developed an engagement approach based on discussions with Tasmanian Aboriginal people and organisations. This approach provides fundamental steps and principles to:
build relationships,
recognise cultural values and knowledge in future management of lutruwita/Tasmania’s freshwater resources, and
better understand important issues.
In 2023, NRE Tas shared the Tasmanian Aboriginal Freshwater Interests: What are we learning? report with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community:
Aboriginal Freshwater Interests - What are we learning Report (PDF 292Kb)
The report outlines what NRE Tas learnt through this engagement.
Tasmanian Aboriginal Freshwater Interests artwork by Nina Morris, Project Officer - Water Policy and Planning
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