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First Nations water case studies

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this webpage may contain images, voices, and videos of deceased persons.

The following stories describe successful involvement of First Nations groups and people in planning and delivering great water outcomes in South Australia.

Healthy Coorong, Healthy Basin Program

On-ground Works

The On Ground Works project aims to foster Teringie Wetlands and Lake Hawdon North Wetlands to become best-practice examples of Indigenous wetland management, incorporating Indigenous knowledge, practices, objectives and visions.

Coorong Restoration Roadmap (2024)

The Ngarrindjeri Knowledge Research Project ran a series of workshops to capture oral histories of the Coorong and produced a database, research projects, and a Yarluwar-Ruwe assessment tool.

Coorong Freshwater Soaks Project (2023-24)

Freshwater soaks were identified as a key area of interest for future research during consultation with First Nations groups on the draft Coorong Restoration Roadmap. Soaks are bodies of water often stored below ground and are a water source for native animals.

Ngarrindjeri knowledge database (2021)

A Ngarrindjeri led and owned research project enabling inter-generational learning for Ngarrindjeri people to share knowledge of the Coorong and the local ecology.

The Living Murray Program

Aboriginal Waterways Assessment at Chowilla Floodplain (2020)

Following the delivery of water for the environment to Coombool Swamp between September 2019 and January 2020, the site continued to hold water and was being used by large numbers of water birds.

An Aboriginal Waterways Assessment (AWA) was undertaken of the floodplain by the First Peoples in early March. AWA’s are used by Traditional Owners to assess the cultural values of wetlands and other important sites to support environmental water and wetland management planning.

Case study fact sheets

Check out these Murray-Darling Basin Authority fact sheets describing First Nations partnerships within The Living Murray Program in South Australia:

Murray-Darling Basin

River, the veins of our Country (2020-21)

Ten true stories about a range of activities in which the involvement of First Nations in water for the environment planning and delivery led to significant benefits. Includes two South Australian stories: 'Cultural knowledge informing water use at Chowilla Floodplain', and 'Sharing the knowledge through The Living Murray Indigenous Partnerships Program'.

Basin Plan Amendment – Indigenous water commitments (section 3) (2018)

This Marsden Jacob discussion paper focuses on Indigenous water in the Basin. In agreement with the Panel, concentrating on five key questions.

SA Aboriginal Nations Water Workshop, video (extended version, 2016)

We are water people video (Ngarrindjeri, 2016)

South Australian Riverland Integrated Infrastructure Program (SARFIIP)

The Pike Floodplain project video (2022)

The Katarapko Floodplain Project video (2022)

Water allocation plans

Generally, the water allocation plans for the 'Peake, Roby, and Sherlock' and 'Mallee' prescribed wells areas are fit for purpose however improvements can be made to achieve First Nations values and outcomes related to water. Amendments were made to bring the plans into line with the most recent legislation.

Related links

Acknowledgement of Country

Acknowledgement of Country

The state government acknowledges Aboriginal people as the First Peoples and Nations of the lands and waters we live and work upon and we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. We acknowledge and respect the deep spiritual connection and the relationship that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have to Country.

We work in partnership with the First Peoples of South Australia and support their Nations to take a leading role in caring for their Country.