Water licences and allocations to Indigenous people: An Australia-wide scoping exercise Jon Altman & Bill Arthur Centre for Aboriginal Economic Policy Research

Aims: Others have looked at legal and planning frameworks We looked to quantify allocations, operating in a data poor environment Focused on Indigenous businesses which use water for commercial purposes Contacted state and territory water authorities to check what licences have been issued to Indigenous parties

Aims:

Others have looked at legal and planning frameworks

We looked to quantify allocations, operating in a data poor environment

Focused on Indigenous businesses which use water for commercial purposes

Contacted state and territory water authorities to check what licences have been issued to Indigenous parties

Methods: We found that non-one had the statutory responsibility to monitor Indigenous commercial use of water We distributed questionnaires to lead Indigenous agencies and developed an inclusive list We culled this list after consultation with NWC We sent the list to each state and territory water authority to see if they could assist in developing a list of commercial water users Most were as helpful as possible, some quite proactive

Methods:

We found that non-one had the statutory responsibility to monitor Indigenous commercial use of water

We distributed questionnaires to lead Indigenous agencies and developed an inclusive list

We culled this list after consultation with NWC

We sent the list to each state and territory water authority to see if they could assist in developing a list of commercial water users

Most were as helpful as possible, some quite proactive

Estimate of Indigenous users of water for commercial purposes Notes: a) As noted in the text this total tended to represent all of the Indigenous entities and programs that might conceivably use water; i.e. it was compiled to be as inclusive as possible. b) Excludes Goulburn Murray Water region.

Findings: Licences issued < potential users identified Enormous variation by states and territories; 75% of identified licences in NSW In some jurisdictions commercial entities did not need licences There was little link between columns A, B and C Enormous variation in capacity to respond state-by-state given the blank slate and absence of clear mandate to collect such data

Findings:

Licences issued < potential users identified

Enormous variation by states and territories; 75% of identified licences in NSW

In some jurisdictions commercial entities did not need licences

There was little link between columns A, B and C

Enormous variation in capacity to respond state-by-state given the blank slate and absence of clear mandate to collect such data

Discussion topics: Knowledge of Indigenous commercial water use Knowledge of Indigenous water licence allocations Water and Indigenous enterprise development Water and ‘Closing the Gap’ Indigenous economic development and water The way ahead: Water as property

Discussion topics:

Knowledge of Indigenous commercial water use

Knowledge of Indigenous water licence allocations

Water and Indigenous enterprise development

Water and ‘Closing the Gap’

Indigenous economic development and water

The way ahead: Water as property

Next steps: We have provided some data as a tentative first step It looks like progress could be made, especially if the local knowledge of water authorities is used Is an Indigenous water register necessary or desirable? Will it assist to generate an Indigenous business register or vice versa re HRSCATSIA? If so, to answer what questions, NWI requirements aside? For active engagements in water planning purposes?

Next steps:

We have provided some data as a tentative first step

It looks like progress could be made, especially if the local knowledge of water authorities is used

Is an Indigenous water register necessary or desirable? Will it assist to generate an Indigenous business register or vice versa re HRSCATSIA?

If so, to answer what questions, NWI requirements aside?

For active engagements in water planning purposes?