<
https://theconversation.com/a-fierce-tussle-over-a-northern-territory-river-reveals-australias-stark-choice-on-water-justice-248766>
"Water is now a contested resource around the world. Nowhere is this more
evident than in the fight playing out over the Northern Territory’s Roper River
– one of the last free-flowing rivers in Australia, nurtured by the enduring
presence of First Nations custodians.
The territory government recently doubled water extraction allowances from the
aquifer that feeds the Roper River, making billions of litres available to
irrigators, for free. The change risks permanent damage not just to the river
but to world-famous springs and sacred sites fundamentally important to
Traditional Owners.
Australia has a very poor track record on maintaining healthy river systems,
and on respecting First Nations rights to access and use water.
The Roper River represents a chance to change course on decades of water policy
failure. It also shows we must transform how Australia’s water is valued, who
uses it, and who decides how vital rivers should be managed."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
