Father and son appointed to commonwealth First Nations water ownership program
Image: The Riverine Grazier / Margie McClelland
By Krista Schade
The Albanese Government has launched a water ownership program for First Nations peoples in the Murray-Darling Basin, delivering on an election commitment.
Jamie and Ian Woods from Hay have been appointed to the interim governance body has been set up so that water entitlements can be purchased, before a permanent body is established. Both men are of the Nari Nari nation.
Under the Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program, the government has made $100 million available to buy water in the Basin, with First Nations representatives to determine how that money is spent.
“The Albanese Labor Government’s $100 million Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program begins to reverse that legacy and recognises the lasting and deep connection of First Nations peoples with water,” federal minister for the environment and water, Tanya Plibersek MP said.
Jamie Woods has been appointed a director of the body, and father Ian is part of the interim advisory board.
Directors will make decisions regarding the commercial and purchasing decision of the water investment portfolio.
It is expected the advisory group members will provide culturally informed and respectful advice in relation to the entitlements program but not be involved in decision making.
“I thank our new advisory group members and directors for stepping forward to represent Basin First Nations communities and provide guidance on how to direct this investment.,” Ms Plebersek said.
The directors and advisory group members were independently selected from First Nations groups in the Basin.
“First Nations communities have cared for Murray–Darling Basin rivers for thousands of years but have been largely excluded from accessing, managing, and owning water,” Ms Plebersek said.
“Across Australia, First Nations Australians own and control less than 0.2 per cent of our surface water entitlements.
“The Albanese Labor Government’s $100 million Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program begins to reverse that legacy and recognises the lasting and deep connection of First Nations peoples with water.”
Ian Woods is a founding member of Nari Nari Tribal Council, which manages more than 100,000 hectares of lands in the Hay and Balranald region, including Toogimbie Indigenous Area and Gayini Nimmie Caira conservation area.
Jamie Woods is the current chairperson of Nari Nari Tribal Council.
In February 2023 Nari Nari Tribal Council signed a Conservation Agreement with the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) to fund cultural land management practices and conservation efforts across 55,220-hectares of the Gayini Nimmie Caira Conservation Area, located between Hay and Balranald in southwest NSW.
“The agreement embeds the role of Traditional Custodians in managing land for current and future generations and is the largest private land holding to be funded, in perpetuity, by the NSW Government,” BCT said at the time.
