Water plays a central role in the cultural identity of Aboriginal Australians and Aboriginal access to water is an increasingly important component of State and Federal water policy.

NSWIC believes Governments should take a holistic and coordinated approach when developing and implementing Aboriginal water programs, to avoid disjointed programs and strategies delivering suboptimal outcomes for Aboriginal people and a high risk of unnecessary conflict with existing water property rights.

Through experience, NSWIC has learned the best approach is to scope-up and deliver outcomes within the parameters of existing frameworks. Multi-benefit approaches are typically only sustainable and successful when they are truly co-designed in partnership with all stakeholders.

NSWIC welcomes collaboration with Aboriginal groups in delivering water projects that provide benefits to the community, as evidenced by NSWIC’s Billabong Restoration Project. The project is based on an award-winning 2006 pilot by the Ngemba Billabong Restoration and Landcare group at the Old Brewarrina Mission Wetland. It aims to create culturally appropriate employment for Aboriginal people, improve waterway health and increase collaboration between Aboriginal people and irrigators. NSWIC is looking forward to progressing this Project in 2025.  

Many communities in NSW with irrigated agriculture as a primary economic base also have a high proportion of the population identifying as Aboriginal. We therefore have a shared vision to see improved socio-economic outcomes for our communities. NSWIC has developed eight policies on Aboriginal water to help find ways to contribute to improving outcomes for Aboriginal people.