Aboriginal people to provide insight into sustainable water use

Published Wednesday, 07 October, 2015 at 12:46 PM

Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines
The Honourable Dr Anthony Lynham

The Palaszczuk Government is encouraging local Aboriginal people to provide their insight into future plans for water catchments in the state’s south-west.

Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines Dr Anthony Lynham today invited input from local Aboriginal people at a series of water planning information sessions over the next month.

“The information sessions will focus on Aboriginal values and water uses in the Warrego, Paroo and Nebine catchments within the Murray-Darling Basin and also the Bulloo catchment,” Dr Lynham said.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to being a consultative government and local Aboriginal people have valuable input to offer on how water can be sustainably used and shared.

“The sessions will provide opportunities for Aboriginal people to find out more about the water planning framework and allow them to identify for government the values and uses of water that are culturally important to them.

“We recognise the Aboriginal people of these areas have a deep cultural connection to their lands and waters and we want them to contribute to the development of water resource plans.

“It is essential we tap into their sense of connection and knowledge and that everyone in this region has a shared understanding of the issues involved in water planning.

“These sessions will help the Government further understand Aboriginal people’s connections and recognise their knowledge and cultural values in water planning.

Dr Lynham said the goal was to create sustainable water plans that achieved the Murray-Darling Basin Plan’s objectives, including environmentally sustainable water development.

To register for an information session:

Information sessions will be held at:

Bollon: CWA Rooms, Balonne Highway Bollon, Tuesday 13 October 2015 10.00am – 3.00pm;

Cunnamulla: Cunnamulla Town Hall Supper Room, 3 Jane Street Cunnamulla, Wednesday 14 October 2015 10.00am – 3.00pm;

Eulo: Eulo Hall, 30 Leo Street Eulo, Thursday 15 October 2015 10.00am – 3.00pm;

Charleville: Charleville Town Hall, Wills Street Charleville, Tuesday 20 October 2015 10.00am – 3.00pm;

Quilpie: Quilpie Shire Hall, corner of Brolga and Dukamarra Streets Quilpie, Wednesday 21 October 2015 10.00am – 3.00pm;

Augathella: Augathella Town Hall, Landsborough Highway Augathella, Thursday 22 October 2015 10.00am – 3.00pm;

Toowoomba: All Seasons Function Centre, corner of Tor and North Streets Toowoomba, Tuesday 27 October 2015, 10.00am – 3.00pm;

Roma: Roma Cultural Centre Auditorium, Bungil Street Roma, Thursday 29 October 2015 10.00am – 3.00pm.

 

Eds: Download a map of the catchments and a print and online-quality generic watercourse photo at the Department of Natural Resources and Mines media centre:

facebook.com/MiningQld/app_1405799502990676

[ENDS] 6 October 2015

Media contact: Jan Martin 0439 341 314