Water has always been the basis of life in the bush. Speak to any local and they will remember the spark of life that returned to the community when water breached the Brewarrina Weir after years and years of drought. 

To local Aboriginal communities, cultural water flows create the basis of life for plants, animals, bush medicine - and impact on the physical and mental health of Aboriginal communities right across the region. 

Brewarrina Local Aboriginal Land Council is currently in the process of developing opportunities to bring water and life back to local lands and they have taken a group of experts to assess a block of land close to everyone’s heart, the lands associated with the local Aboriginal Mission. 

Some great insight into water and land management was provided by Dave Newham and John Mackenzie from the Institute for Reginal Futures at the University of Newcastle, Matt O’Reilly from the Department of Planning and Environment, with special guest Uncle Paul Gordon (who worked for the LALC many years ago) and now also works with Newcastle University.    

A big part of the discussions related to Cultural Flows, the understanding of local Indigenous needs, and how Aboriginal needs are included in future water usage. 

According to the Echuca Declaration of 2010, “Cultural flows are water entitlements that are legally and beneficially owned by the Indigenous Nations of a sufficient and adequate quantity and quality to improve the spiritual, cultural, environmental, social, and economic conditions of those Nations. This is our inherent right.”

Matt O'Reilly and Ted Gordon at the site of the former Aboriginal Mission.

Brewarrina LALC CEO John Reidy explained the importance of acquiring water for the future management of the Brewarrina Aboriginal Mission. 

“We are investigating the potential of acquiring a Biodiversity Conservation Grant to replant native vegetation, redevelop the wetlands associated with the Mission, and attract native bird and animal life back to the land. Access to water will be pivotal in returning life back to those lands.” 

Brewarrina LALC Deputy Chairperson Ted Gordon gave our academic leaders a tour of the ‘Old Mission’ land. 

He provided some great historical insight pointing out the old Billabongs which were once frequented by an abundance of birdlife as part of their migration habits. 

Uncle Ted had just returned from a gathering at Byrock on native wildlife and bush medicine with consultants from the Local Lands Services. 

Everyone could see the excitement in Uncle Ted’s expression realising the opportunities that were possible if the LALC, with supporting experts, could create a viable program to return life to the Mission land, and rebuild the native gifts that were once part of his land and life. 

Land management and conservation is only made possible if there is a healthy river and consistent water flow. 

For many years the local Aboriginal community have watched from the sidelines as others have guided the water management associated with Indigenous lands. 

They say what is currently being developed represents a real opportunity for the local Aboriginal community to play a role in the redevelopment and regeneration those lands

.   

Brewarrina LALC is being proactive in this space demonstrating strong relationships with key stakeholders and being very welcoming to leading minds from all around the nation. 

The team at the University of Newcastle are also committed to developing strong relationships with ‘government, industry, and community partners’ with a big part of their belief identifying that ‘working together is the key to a better future for all.’ 

Locals will look forward to seeing what biodiversity and cultural outcomes can be achieved when local leaders unite with our nation’s leading experts.