Valuing water in law: How can indigenous cultural values be reconciled with australia's water law in order to strengthen indigenous water rights?

Journal of Water Law

Volumn 20, Issue 2-3, 2009, Pages 144-151

  Tran, Tran ^a  

^a NONE

Author keywords

[No Author keywords available]

Indexed keywords

ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT; CULTURAL HERITAGE; ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION; INDIGENOUS POPULATION; LEGAL RIGHTS; LEGISLATIVE IMPLEMENTATION; WATER MANAGEMENT; WATER RESOURCE;

AUSTRALIA;

EID: 77954441252     PISSN: 14785277     EISSN: None     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: None     Document Type: Article

References (97)

1. For example, see J Altman 'Indigenous Interests and Water Property Rights' (2004) 23(3) Dialogue (Academy of the Social Sciences Australia) 29-33;
2. D Getches 'Defending Indigenous Water Rights with the laws of a Dominant Culture' in R Boelens, M Zwarteveen and D Roth (eds) Liquid Relations: Contested Water Rights and Legal Complexity (Reuters University Press London 2005);
3. D Groenfeldt 'Indigenous Perspectives on Water and Development' (2004) 5(29) Indigenous Law Bulletin 26;
4. S Jackson 'Compartmentalising Culture: the Articulation and Consideration of Indigenous Values in Water Resource Management' (2006) 37 Australian Geographer 19-31;
5. M Morgan, I M Strelein and J Weir 'Indigenous Water Rights within the Murray-Darling Basin' (2004) 5(29) Indigenous Law Bulletin 17;
6. P-L Tan and others 'Collaborative Water Planning: Context and Practice, Literature Review, Volume 1' (Tropical Rivers and Coastal Knowledge 2008).
7. WALIR Water Law and Indigenous Rights: Towards Recognition of Indigenous Water Rights and Management Rules in National Legislation' (International WALIR Seminar Wageningen The Netherlands 2002);
8. I Godden and others 'Accommodating Interests in Resource Extraction: Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities and the Role of Law in Economic and Social Sustainability' (2008) 26 Journal of Energy & Natural Resources Law 3.
9. Irrigation in Australia ([between 1891 and 19011) Papers of Alfred Deakin, 1804-1973 (bulk 1880-1919) 10/130.
10. For example, see A H Arthington and B J Pusey 'Flow Restoration and Protection in Australian Rivers' (2003) 19 River Research and Applications 377. For historical attitudes see Papers of Alfred Deakin 3);
11. L M Gibbs 'Just Add Water Colonisation, Water Governance and the Australian Inland' (2009) 41 Environment and Planning A 2964-83.
12. For example, see J Chesterman and B Galligan 'Indigenous People and Citizenship' (50th Anniversary of Australian Citizenship Conference University of Melbourne 1999) http://www.Iaw.unimelb.edu.au/events/ citizen/chesterman.pdf
13. M Dodson and I M Strelein, 'Australia's Nation-Building: Renegotiating the Relationship between Indigenous Peoples and the State' (2001) 24 University of New South Wales Law Journal 826-39.
14. Council of Australian Governments '[he Council of Australian Governments' Water Reform Framework' (extracts from Council of Australian Governments: Hobart, 25 February 1994 Communiqué) httpi!www.environment.gov.au/water/ publications/action/pubs!policy framework.pdf.
15. Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology Drought Statement 'Long-term Rainfall Deficiencies Persist in Southeastern Australia' (7 August 2009) httpl/www.bom.gov.au!announcementslmedia-releasesl climateldroughti2009O2o4. shtml.
16. Gibbs (n 4).
17. The development of Indigenous enterprises has been viewed one of the ways of addressing the socio-economic disparities between the Indigenous and non-indigenous population in Australia. On hybrid economies see J Altman, W S Arthur 'Commercial Water and Indigenous Australians: A Scoping Study of Licence Allocations' (CAEPR Working Paper No 57/2009).
18. Mabo v Queensland (No 2) [1992J HCA 23; (1992) 175 CLR 1(3 June 1992).
19. See Table 1.13 Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) 'National Overview: Land Rights' http:I/ntru. aiatsis.gov.au!research!resourceguidelnational-overviewlnationallo. html.
20. On international agendas see R Boelens, M Chiba and 0 Nakashima (eds) Water and Indigenous Peoples Knowledges of Nature (UNESCO Paris 2006).
21. On health see Australian Bureau of Statistics '4704.0 -The Health Welfare of Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, 2008' httpJ/ww.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS!abs.nsf/allprimary mainfeatures!366EED9FF642DD67CA2570B3007DEA93?opendocument. socio-economic development see Australian Bureau of Statistics 'National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, 2008' http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs.nsf/mf/ 4714.0. For a regional example see Kimberley Land Council 'Kimberley Indigenous People Call Emergency Summit To Address Disadvantage' Media Release (March 2009).
22. Indigenous held land accounts for 16 per cent of Australia's total mass. These are generally areas with biological significance: Indigenous Land Corporation 'Submission to the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Green Paper' (2008).
23. See J C Altman, G J Buchanan L Larsen 'The environmental significance of the Indigenous estate: Natural resources managements as economic development in remote Australia' CAEPR Discussion Paper No 286 (2007).
24. Jackson (n 1)
25. D B Rose 'Fresh water rights and biophilia: Indigenous Australian perspectives' (2004) 23(3) Dialogue (Academy the Social Sciences in Australia) 35-43;
26. J K Weir 'Connectivity' (2008) Australian Humanities Review 153-64.
27. Indigenous people Continue to pursue cultural practices but lack opportunities and access to their traditional lands: Australian Bureau of Statistics 'National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Survey, 2008' httpJ/www.abs.gov.au!ausstats/abs.nsfImf/4714.
28. C Ganesharajah Indigenous Health and Wellbeing: The Importance of Country Native Title Research Report No 1/2009 (AIATSIS Canberra 2009).
29. S Yu 'Ngapa Kunangkul (Living Water): A Report on the Aboriginal Cultural Values of Groundwater in the La Grange Sub-Basin' (unpublished report prepared by the Centre for Anthropological Research University of Western Australia 1999). For example, in the La Grange Basin in Western Australia, Indigenous groups have identified cultural models for groundwater flows that replenish coastal springs in the region. This is largely consistent with the established hydrology of the region, with further explanations for complexities in underground water movement.
30. M Langton 'Freshwater' in Background Briefing Papers (Lingiari Foundation Broome 2002) 44 httpl/pandora.nla.gov.au/pan141033/ 20060106-0000/ATSlaissues/ lndigenousRights/IndigenousRights.Watersldocs/layoutpapers.pdf.
31. The Garma International Indigenous Water Declaration 2009 notes Indigenous interests in freshwater systems are merged into 'an industry that portrays water as a commodity
32. J M Meyer 'The Concept of Private Property and the Limits of the Environmental Imagination' (2009) 37 Political Theory 99-127.
33. M Alfonso Martinez 'Review of Developments Pertaining to Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Including Their Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Indigenous Peoples and Conflict Resolution' (working paper submitted pursuant Sub-Commission resolution 2003/29) E/CN.4ISub.2/AC.4/ 2004/2 (5 July 2004).
34. This view has been discussed widely in Mabo v Queensland (n 10).
35. Milirrpum v Nabalco (1971) 17 FLR 141, 267 (Blackburn j).
36. A Leopold, C Steinhacker and S Flader The Sand Countiy of Aldo Leopold (Sierra Club San Francisco 1973).
37. J Weir Murray River Country (Aboriginal Studies Press Canberra 2009).
38. K A Carpenter 'In Defense of Property' (2009) 118 Yale Law Journal 1022.
39. Others have framed this problem in terms of 'traditional resource rights': D A Posey, G Dutfield, I Ebrary Beyond Intellectual Property: Toward Traditional Resource Rights for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (International Development Research Centre Ottawa 20.
40. Intergovernmental Agreement on a National Water Initiative Between the Commonwealth of Australia and the Governments of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory (signed at the 25 June 2004 Council of Australian Governments meeting) http://www.nwc.gov.au/ resources/documents/lntergovernmental-Agreement-on-a- nationalwater-initiative.pdf.
41. generally, Working Group on Climate Change and Water to Council of Australian Governments' (2008) http//www.coag. gov.au/coag.meeting.outcomes/ 2008-03-26/docs/CCWWG-water-report.doc.
42. Section 51 of the Constitution stipulates the division of powers between the Commonwealth and state governments and does not expressly grant the Commonwealth power over water or river systems. Water laws are enacted by each jurisdiction:Water Resources Act 1998 (ACT);
43. Water Management Act 2000 (NSW);
44. Water Act 1992 (NT);
45. Water 2000 (QId);
46. Wild Rivers Act 2005 (Qld);
47. Natural Resources Manage. ment Act 2004 (SA);
48. Water Management Act 1999 (Tas);
49. Water Act 1989 (Vic);
50. Rights in Water andAllocation Act 1914 (WA)
51. for the Murray. Darling Basin area Water Act 2007 (Cth).
52. The implementation of the NW( was reviewed in 2009: National Water Commission 'Australian Water Reform 2009: Second Biennial Assessment of Progress in Implementation of the National Water Initiative' (2009) httpl!www.nwc.gov. au/resou rces/docu ments!2009-BA-completejeport.pdf. See in particular Finding 1.6 and Recommendation
53. Note 27.
54. Schedute B (ii) and clause 25 (ii).
55. Schedule E(1)(vi).
56. National Water Commission (n 30).
57. The Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations 'Submission to the Senate Rurat and Regional Affairs Transport Standing Commit tee Water Amendment Bill 2008' (2008).
58. National Water Commission (n 30).
59. The main proviso is that Indigenous interests remain subject to Commonwealth, State and Territory legislation meaning that despite recognition any effective Indigenous involvement in the process remains subject to existing legislation. See further National Water Com mission (n 30)
60. P-LTan 'National Indigenous Water Planning Forum: A Review of the Legal Basis for Indigenous Access to Water' (2009) http//waterplanning.org.au/wp- content/uploadsi20water-forum-report-11-feb09.pdf.
61. See Schedule A.
62. For a comprehensive review and analysis on this point see Tan (n 37).
63. Mabo v Queensland (n 10).
64. 'Future Act' is a term used in the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) to describe a proposed activity that may affect native title. See s 233, S 237 and Division 3 generally.
65. The legal position of native title right holders is tenuous: Native Title Act 1993 (cth) s237 A.
66. See further Mabo v Queensland (n 10) para 63 (Brennan J) and Western Australia v Commonwealth (1995)183 CLR 373, 439, 459. For an extensive review on the limitations of the native title process in Australia see G Hiley and K Levy 'Native Title claims Resolution Review' (2006) http//www.ag.gov.au/ claimsresolutionreview.
67. On the role of the law in creating enabling environments within the water context see Global Water Partnership Technical Advisory Committee 'Integrated Water Resources Management' (TAC Back ground Papers No 4 2000).
68. N Rea and Anmatyerr Water Project Team Provision for Cultural Values in Water Managemenb The Anmatyerr Story (Research project number NTU18 of the Innovations Research Program of Land & Water Australia 2006) 39.
69. See Action 5 Government of Western Australia Department of Water 'La Grange Groundwater Allocation Plan' (Water resource allocation and planning series Report no 25 February 2010).
70. Rea (n 44).
71. Water Sharing Plan for the Murrumbidgee Regulated River Water Source 2003 s 59(9).
72. Tan (n 37).
73. This limit is set for the Archer Basin Wild River Declaration 2009 at 6000 ml.
74. Wild Rivers Act 2005 (Qld), Cape York Peninsula Heritage Act 2007 (Qld). Under the Heritage Act a river is protected as a wild river through a declaration, which may make an Indigenous reserve available only for the purpose of helping Indigenous communities in the wild rivers area achieve their economic and social aspirations.
75. Tan (n 37).
76. On the importance of Indigenous involvement in biodiversity conservation see J C Altman and others 'Submission to the Review of Natural Biodiversity Strategy: Indigenous People's Involvement in Conserving Australia's Biodiversity' (CAEPR Topical Issue No 09/2009).
77. Meyer (n 20).
78. On the communal nature of native title see Mabo v Queensland (n 10) para 58 (Deane and Gaudron JJ). For an explanation of communal groups and individual claims to native title see DeRose v South Australia (No 2) (2005) 145 FCR 290.
79. See n 11.
80. For a detailed discussion of the position in New South Wales see V Falk 'An Aboriginal Perspective: the "Gaps" in Water Knowledge and Water Management of Indigenous Water Rights' (Fourth National Indigenous Legal Conference University of Adelaide Adelaide 2009) http//www.nilcsa2009.com/ WaterconferencepaperSA.pdf.
81. Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission 'Native Title Report 2008' ch 6.
82. There have been studies based on economic modelling considering the benefits associated with reaching settlements with Indigenous populations. See for example BC Treaty Commission 'Financial and Economic Impacts of Treaty Settlements in BC' (PricewaterhouseCoopers report 2009).
83. Council of Australian Governments (n 6)
84. National Competition Council 'Second Tranche Assessment of Governments' Progress with Implementing National Competition Policy and Related Reforms' Volume 2 Water Reform (30 June 1999).
85. ibid..
86. J C Altman assisted by V Branchut 'Fresh Water in the Maningrida Region's Hybrid Economy: Intercultural Contestation over Values and Property Rights' (CAEPR Working Paper No 46/2008).
87. For a comprehensive overview see for example Rose (n 15). For a specific example see Yu (n 17).
88. Australian Government Productivity Commission 'Water Rights Arrangements in Australia and Overseas' (3 October 2003) http://www.pc.gov.au/-data/ assetslpdf-file10006/8457/waterrights.pdf
89. S Hodgson Modern Water Rights: Theory and Practice (Development Law Service FAO Legal Office Rome 2006).
90. In areas with regulated water resources such as New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, water allocation announcements are used to allocate water to holders of water access entitlements. The allocation made to a water allocation entitlement is expressed as a percentage of the entitlement volume depending on water availability during a given water year (starting 1 July).
91. For a review of international jurisdictions see M Durette 'Indigenous Legal Rights to Freshwater: Australia in the International Context' (CAEPR Working Paper No 42/2007) http//www.anu.edu.au/caepr/Publications/WP/CAEPRWP42. pdf.
92. Australian Government Productivity Commission (n 63).
93. Note 37.
94. In the United States for example, Indigenous water rights fall under the reserved rights doctrine, protecting certain rights that would enable communities to become self-sufficient. Water rights have been identified under this doctrine: 4 v United States (1908) 373 US 546.
95. This article does not intend to present a simplistic form of communal title. For detailed discussion on this concept see M Dodson, D McCarthy Communal Land and the Amendments to the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NT) Research Discussion Paper 19 (AIATSIS Canberra 2006).
96. The concept has also been used by the Murray Lower Darling Rivers Indigenous Nations as a conceptual tool for achieving rights to water. See further n 35.
97. ibid..