First Peoples Water Engagement Council (FPWEC)
The 2011Biennial Assessment found that most states and territories have improved their consultation with Australia’s First Peoples’ communities on water planning and management.
However, the Commission also told COAG that our states and territories' efforts to incorporate effective strategies for achieving Australia’s First Peoples’ social, spiritual and customary objectives in water plans, as envisaged under the National Water Initiative, have been patchy.
The First Peoples' Water Engagement Council (FPWEC) is a new group which will provide advice to the Commission on national water issues.
The members, appointed by former Commission Chair and CEO Ken Matthews are:
- Cheryl Buchanan, (South East Qld)
- George Cooley (Lake Eyre Basin)
- Phil Duncan (NSW Aboriginal Land Council)
- Bradley Moggridge (Northern NSW)
- Lillian Moseley (NSW)
- Robert Dalton (Darwin, NT)
- Bryan Wyatt (Goldfields WA)
The Council is expected to meet at least three times each year.
First Peoples’ National Water Summit
More than seventy community representatives of Australia’s First Peoples met in Adelaide during March 2012 to develop advice for the Commission on how Indigenous water should be managed.
Summit attendees discussed numerous Australia’s First Peoples water-related topics including:
- gaining respect and recognition for cultural values and aspirations
- potential allocation of water entitlements to support economic development and cultural needs
- opportunities to improve decision making and partnerships in water planning and management.
The first day of the Summit was for Australia’s First Peoples' attendees only and was opened by Paul Caica, the South Australian Minister for Water and Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation. Read the summit communiqué (PDF 52KB) (DOC 1.7MB).
First Peoples' Water Engagement Council (FPWEC)
Back row from left: Robert Dalton, George Cooley, Bradley Moggridge, Bryan Wyatt
Front row from left: Lillian Moseley, Phil Duncan, Cheryl Buchanan
Cheryl Buchanan, a Traditional Owner from southern Queensland, is a current and active member of the Murray Darling Basin Authority Basin Communities Committee and its related Indigenous Water Sub-Committee. In this position she is involved in the Murray Darling Basin Plan, including drafting water plans and engaging communities. Cheryl also brings extensive experience in organisations having a focus on environment, water and Indigenous engagement.
George Cooley is a senior member of the Aboriginal community, who is widely known throughout South Australia. Over the last 35 years, he has served on many councils, boards and community groups. He currently lives in Coober Pedy and is one of the six Indigenous members on the Lake Eyre Basin Community Advisory Committee.
Phil Duncan is a member of the Gamilaroi nation from North Western New South Wales. He brings an extensive background and membership on many committees and councils including the Murray Darling Basin Authority Demonstration Reach Steering Committee, the New South Wales State Water Management Advisory Committee, the Natural Resources Advisory Council, the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee and the Aboriginal Water Trust.
Bradley Moggridge is a Murri man from the Kamilaroi Nation in North-West New South Wales. He currently works with CSIRO Land and Water, and has chosen a profession in environmental hydrogeology. He is involved in a number of committees that relate to Indigenous water issues, natural resource management, science and communities. Most recently he was a member of the Joint Steering Committee for the Review of the National Water Quality Management Strategy and a member of the Steering Committee for the Aboriginal Water Use Capacity Project through the Department of the Environment and Climate Change.
Lillian Moseley has been actively involved in water reform and water planning processes for approximately 16 years. Her work has included facilitating and delivering Aboriginal Cultural awareness training to newly established Catchment Management Boards and acting as an Aboriginal representative on North Coast Water Management Committee where she was responsible for creating a culturally appropriate process to actively engage and consult with Aboriginal communities in the water management and water sharing processes. She has also co-authored a book to provide support to Aboriginal representatives on water management committees.
Robert Dalton brings an extensive personal and professional interest in the future of water planning in Northern Australia. He currently works for the Northern Land Council based in Darwin. Robert has a background in working within the Indigenous Water Policy Group and he has held a liaison role with the Daly River Aboriginal Reference Group in formulation of NLC Water Allocation policy development. He also has good networks including Territory Government Department of Natural Resources, Environment and the Arts (Water Planning Authority in the Northern Territory) and NAILSMA, including the Indigenous Community Water Facilitators Network. His work has included overseeing the representation of Traditional Owners and Native Title Interests in planning for Katherine Tindal Aquifer - first of its kind in the Northern Territory - and coordinating representation of Aboriginal interests in current Oolloo and Mataranka water allocation plans.
Bryan Wyatt brings significant expertise in native title and Indigenous consultation. He has been the CEO of a native title organisation in the Goldfields region for over 10 years. Bryan has wide ranging networks throughout Australia and a keen interest in ensuring that Indigenous peoples' rights are protected through the water planning process.