Conclusion

 As highlighted, preliminary attempts are being made to incorporate two knowledge systems into the management of water resources in the Northern Territory, however in my opinion there is at least one significant underlying issue, outside the scope of this paper, which will have a large impact as to how far the incorporation can evolve; Indigenous rights to water. The NT Water Act states the property in, and the right to use and control all water in the Territory is vested in the Territory, I suggest this concept of ownership may well be at odds with a Traditional Owners view as to who has the control over water in certain areas, resulting in potential conflicting views.

Indigenous Rights to Waters , WATER ACT

In my opinion, the concept of “crossing over” or encapsulating the two knowledge systems into water resource management in the Northern Territory is starting through the platform set by the Regional water resource mapping projects on Aboriginal Land and the Recognition of Indigenous rights and cultural knowledge in the management of inland waters project. However progressing from a project based perspective to embracing another knowledge system for meaningful management purposes is potentially a long way from eventuating.

As western science is reaching its limits when attempting to explain the inner workings of the world around us, we should perhaps remember and re-evaluate the contributions of other cultures to the understanding of nature. In my opinion establishing and allowing a “world science” view, that incorporates two knowledge systems through realisation that each worldview is equally valid and is based within its culture, can only improve the management of water resources within the Northern Territory.