Kimberley Water Futures Workshop

This is the report of a scoping workshop held in Broome Western Australia (WA) on November 3, 2015.

The workshop was called to explore options for improving water governance in the Kimberley. The workshop initiated discussions on the potential of the water stewardship system and stronger participatory processes to contribute to developing agreed ways forward for managing water in Northern Australia. It focused on identifying issues and options for water stewardship in the Fitzroy River Basin, with the view that this could be used as a model for other river systems in northern Australia.

With increasing concerns about development activities and new proposals in the Fitzroy Valley and West Kimberley, the workshop was structured to provide an opportunity to identify constructive ways of achieving preferred water futures. Over 20 people representing traditional owners, NGOs, researchers and community members gathered at the workshop to discuss how Kimberley people can have a deeper understanding and stronger voice in decisions about the future use and management of rivers and groundwater.

Despite substantive research and community development efforts of recent years, there remains a pressing need to build capacity for participatory governance of water within the wider context of choices about desirable futures and appropriate economies. This demands integrated approaches to building and sustaining industries and communities, whilst also protecting cultural and natural heritage, including living waters and landscapes that make Northern Australia unique.

This report summarises the opportunities and challenges identified and charts possible future directions, including future research questions.

Download the Kimberley Water Futures Workshop report - PDF [ 1.6 MB ]