Innovatia

in Melbourne to map out a potential path forward for the role of wastewater treatment plants in accelerating the development of Australia’s hydrogen industry. “Sustainable hydrogen” – produced using recycled water and renewable energy sources – is one of the many avenues that may support Melbourne Water on their journey to decarbonisation. Melbourne Water’s mini-hydro and meth- ane gas systems, including nine mini-hydros across Melbourne’s water supply system, generate 61,000MWh of electricity each year – enough to power 9,000 households. “The water utility companies in Australia have brought forward and implemented a number of energy efficient initiatives and successfully reduced the reliance on fossil fuels.” Indigenous engagement Indigenous needs for water should be incor- porated into water planning and manage- ment. Yet, for many decades, Indigenous water values were rarely addressed in water planning. The history of water resource development – particularly the priority of chronological possession of land and water rights – has made it difficult for Indigenous people to re- tain customary connection and attain legal rights to water bodies in recent native-title processes. As a result, there have been sig-

nificant barriers for Indigenous people to access water through allocations and there- by satisfy their water and related natural-re- source management objectives. The economic, social, amenity and envi- ronmental values of water planning and de- cision-making are widely understood, often seen in practice and well documented. How- ever, cultural connection and Indigenous knowledge within these core values, either as a standalone value or subtly and intrinsi- cally woven throughout, are typically poorly represented. A lack of understanding about how Indige- nous Australians value water has led to a lack of diversity and fairness in decision-mak- ing. Further, with Indigenous communities in northern Australia facing development of land and water resources that are culturally sacred, it is no longer acceptable to ignore the perspectives of Traditional Owners when it comes to water rights. We have seen how the community has de- veloped a deeper understanding of the con- nection to country. This is creating a height- ened understanding of Indigenous cultural obligations to look after and interact with country in a sustainable way that validates our science. There has been a greater understanding recently behind the needs and aspirations of Indigenous people, the engagement strat- egies employed to elicit Indigenous knowl- edge, assess Indigenous values and incor- porate the results into the development of water plans and frameworks. As a result, many state and territory gov- ernments have taken a stronger approach

to engagement and are now developing water-policy instruments to better accom- modate Indigenous people’s cultural, en- vironmental and economic needs in wa- ter-management planning. For example, in Victoria, the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning now has a fully dedicated and resourced Ab- original water program and unit. In NSW, the Department of Planning, Industry and Envi- ronment has a dedicated Aboriginal Com- munities Water and Sewerage Program to improve water supply and sewerage services in eligible Aboriginal communities. Properly valuing water, and reallocating it when necessary, is crucial to avoiding cata- strophic costs and recovery after droughts, and to ensuring a sustainable water future To continue to drive future innovation and reforms in the Australian urban water sector, strong leadership is required from govern- ment, the community and the water sector itself. Also needed is a diversity of supply and demand options for future water securi- ty, based on the best scientific research and community input. Increased investment is also a must for adaptive planning in the face of further ex- treme climatic events. Building stronger partnerships with other sectors, such as ur- ban planning, energy and transport, as well as between industry and government will enable more integrated water management and urban liveability outcomes. Importantly, incorporating community in- for all Australians. Looking forward

put into water-governance arrangements and enhancing the level of communication with community representatives will pro- vide the community with greater confidence in the sustainable management of water re- sources, as we all strive for a more sustaina- ble water future. Urban water and wastewater services un- derpin public health and wellbeing, contrib- ute to social development and are a vital en- abler of strong economic activity and growth across Australia. Sustainable management of urban water and wastewater systems helps protect the environmental health and biodiversity of water catchments, rivers and the marine environment, as well as the so- cial and economic values that flow from the nation’s natural assets. Corinne Cheeseman is the CEO of the Aus- tralian Water Association, Australia’s largest water network, which includes 700 corporate and 5000 individual members, across utili- ties, government agencies, engineering, ur- ban design and planning, science, research, academia, energy, resources, manufacturing, mining and agriculture. “As the Australian water sector strives for a more sustainable water future, there needs to be engagement with other ur- ban planning sectors as well as the com- munity to further drive future innovation and reform.”

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