By Amelia Willmer
Strengthening First Nation peoples’ role in ownership of the Murray Darling Basin was one of the key agenda items when State Ministers met with Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek in Canberra on 24 February.
The waters of Cambanoora Gorge are the very source of the mighty river system.
The Murray–Darling Basin Ministerial Council is chaired by Ms Plibersek and comprises state ministers responsible for water, including Queensland’s Glenn Butcher.
Cambanoora Gorge protestors last month wrote to Ms Plibersek seeking her support in putting a halt to the concreting of three sensitive river crossings.
Her office has now replied.
“Projects likely to have a significant impact on a matter protected under national environment law must be submitted to the department to see whether federal assessment is needed,” a spokesperson said
Her department will provide a fuller response in next week’s edition.
Meanwhile, as Commonwealth Chair of the ministerial council last week, she and the other ministers reaffirmed their commitment to First Nations water interests.
Ministers welcomed Rene Woods, Nari Nari man and member of the Murray–Darling Basin Authority and the Committee on Aboriginal Water Interests.
Mr Woods addressed the council on the importance of cultural connections of First Nations people.
Ministers noted the ongoing work to develop a Closing the Gap target for Inland Waters.
Minister Plibersek highlighted the approach taken by First Nations people to drive the agenda on a series of workshops and roundtables on land and water partnerships, noting that this approach provides First Nations with the ability to retain their own agency in these important conversations.
Ministers resolved to work together to engage First Nations peoples on a range of issues.
The Cambanoora Gorge protest group commented: “It is great to see that the Federal and State Governments are committed to engage First Nations people right across the Murray Darling Basin to improve the health of the basin.
“This is why we are very pleased to see that the Githabul people, the Traditional Owners of the Condamine Gorge, which is no less than the headwaters of the Murray Darling System, are now at last in some sort of dialogue with Southern Downs Regional Council, as they always should have been from the very outset.
“The respect and the sincerity witnessed in the actions of the Federal Ministerial Council is an example to the Southern Downs Regional Council.
“This is how they, too, should be engaging with Traditional Owners.
“Tratditional Owners have clearly stated their vision to ensure our region does everything it can to look after the health of this river, right from where it starts.
“If the river and the animals that call it home suffer, people and communities will inevitably suffer.
“That has become very evident in the last few decades right along the Murray Darling Basin and it will not be any different for our community.
“This is something our First Nations people understand at a much deeper level.“
