Introduction

As a Northern Territory government employee working in the water resource management domain, I’m often asked questions regarding the best way to manage water resources in the NT. The questions are asked as a result of the current crisis water resource managers face in the Southern States. These southern issues are well documented, vast sums of money and resources are being allocated to address untenable situations such as unsustainable water extraction, diverting river systems and dry-land salinity.

Natural Resources Management - sharing water in MDB ,

National Water Commission

As a “white western educated male”, I could attempt to answer these questions in a stereo-typical response that would be based purely on a majority world view. However, as the Northern Territory has a rich, vibrant indigenous population, I believe, the Territory population deserve better.

So in thinking of an appropriate response to the questions being posed, I am forced to ask myself “What is at stake? What is the status quo? What are the alternatives? What happens when different knowledge’s speak to each other?”

So it is in that context, that this paper will attempt to outline a brief history of the philosophy behind the knowledge system that underpins the current water resource management regime i.e. the Renaissance era. I will then attempt to quantify the term indigenous knowledge and explore what attempts are currently being undertaken in water resource management and how it could be improved. I will suggest that a renaissance of process relating to water resource management in the NT is required. This re-awakening would ensure a “crossing over” of knowledge resulting in an improved regime for water resource management in the Northern Territory. A reawakening that promotes consideration of differing worldviews, not just to enrich Western science but to facilitate a two-way exchange of knowledge and cultural understanding to ensure appropriate water management.