We’re proud to share a new animation. It highlights how First Nations knowledge guides annual water planning.
First Nations peoples have been caring for the rivers and wetlands of the Murray-Darling Basin for thousands of years.
At the start of each water year, water allocations become available. This animation shares the story of First Nations peoples’ annual water planning process.
The water planning process:
- is grounded in connection, to and care for, Country
- is flexible and adaptive to changing environmental, cultural and Nations’ needs
- outlines how water allocations are used and managed
- is responsive to seasonal conditions and water availability
- lays the groundwork for self-determined future water management.
Watch the animation below to learn about First Nations-led water planning in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Transcript
Our water is life.
It connects us to Country, to each other, and to our ancestors.
Across the basin, First Nations people have cared for these waters for thousands of generations.
The water that flows in these rivers is the same water that flowed, and fell, on our people for all time.
All parts of Country are connected.
Rivers, wetlands, flood plains, billabongs and groundwater to the ocean.
When water flows, well, culture and life are connected.
But the system has been broken.
Our rivers have been changed, controlled and disconnected from Country.
First Nations people have been excluded from decisions about water.
This harms Country, culture and communities.
Change is beginning.
We are starting to take back our role in caring for water and country.
Our voices are being heard, and our knowledge is shaping decisions.
But this system is not how we would design it.
We continue to work within it while holding onto our responsibility to care for Country the right way.
Each year, we create an annual watering plan to guide how our water can best support Country, culture and community.
Led by First Nations peoples, the plan reflects our values, responsibilities and aspirations.
It helps us make decisions that care for Country today while strengthening our communities and future generations.
Before planning begins, we take time to understand what country is telling us.
We bring together cultural knowledge, seasonal indicators, monitoring information and community priorities alongside the volume of water allocations available to us that year.
By looking at the whole picture, we can respond to the needs of Country and make informed decisions to agree on the priorities that will guide our plan.
We come together to yarn, share knowledge and consider different options.
Guided by our responsibilities as custodians, we look at what matters most for Country, culture and community.
We consider environmental needs, community wellbeing, and opportunities for future generations.
Water planning is an ongoing cycle.
As seasons change and conditions shift, we adapt our approach to meet the needs throughout the year.
When the plan is put into action, we work together to deliver water in the right places at the right times for country and culture.
Cultural flows keep our culture strong, supporting healthy Country, strong communities and the passing on of knowledge to future generations.
We monitor outcomes, share what we learn, and use that knowledge to improve each year.
Together, we continue to strengthen our care for water and country year after year.
Together, we care for our water, our country and our future for generations to come, as we have been doing since time immemorial.
Visit Murray-Darling Basin Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program water use page to find out how the program uses and manages water.
