Water is central to the law and culture of Aboriginal people in Central Australia. In this project, Dr Naomi Rea and The Anmatyerr Water Project Team, made up of traditional owners and managers, developed ways of identifying, conveying and providing for Aboriginal cultural values in water plans.

The five overarching ways to provide for these cultural water values were: Water Allocation; Use of Anmatyerr Names and Protocols; Access, Land Management and Co-existence; Livelihoods and Skills Exchange; and Governance and Participation.

The insight, approach and recommendations developed by this work have application for other Aboriginal groups, especially those living within systems of customary governance, and for governments engaged in water planning. Note - this project was managed by LWA's Innovations Program.

More about The Anmatyerr Story project

Final report
Download or order » Provision for Cultural Values in Water Management final report