Indigenous Interests in Tropical Rivers: Research & Management Issues

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This report outlines a number of priority areas of research interest arising from the literature reviewed and the interviews of representatives or nominees from Indigenous organisations. They fall under two major themes:

• The need for a sound understanding of the current condition of river and wetland environments and their contemporary role in meeting the subsistence and spiritual needs of Indigenous communities. Increased pressure on resources, places, and sites is felt by many groups who wish to better understand the drivers of change and the consequences for their communities.
• The need for more effective resource governance arrangements, management models and engagement methodologies. In particular research with an action research orientation that seeks to work directly with communities in identifying problems and addressing information and knowledge needs.

The relevance and value of research to Indigenous people will also be increased if attention is given to the manner in which research priorities are decided and research activity is conducted. This report identifies a number of ways that Land and Water Australia (LWA) and other research organisations can make tropical river research more relevant and beneficial to north Australian Indigenous people and their representative organisations.