The NRA’ s Clyde Rigney, Flinders University Associate Professor Steve Hemming, the NRA’s Luke Trevorrow, Flinders University s Professor Daryle Rigney and NRA chairperson Tim Hartman gather around the trophy they earned at the Australian Riverprize. More Info on the International RiverFoundation's website here.
The Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority has won the 2015 Australian Riverprize, Australia’s top award for effective and sustainable river basin management, for the Murray River.
Awarded by the International RiverFoundation each year, Riverprize recognises, rewards and supports those who have developed and implemented outstanding, visionary and sustainable programs in river management.
The prestigious prize was presented to the Authority at the Riverprize Gala Dinner in Brisbane on 22 September, held by the International RiverFoundation in conjunction with the 18th International Riversymposium.
The Ngarrindjeri’s Kungun Ngarrindjeri Yunnan Agreement (KNYA) established a new and positive relationship between the Ngarrindjeri and the South Australian Government, which has seen an innovative and integrated approach to river basin management for the Murray. In particular, the Agreement emphasised a participatory approach with the land’s traditional custodians—moving past historical barriers to Aboriginal involvement in integrated river basin management—which has led to opportunities to develop Aboriginal-led wetland management plans for land owned by the Ngarrindjeri people.
Dr Deborah Nias, Chair of the Riverprize judging panel and CEO of the Murray-Darling Wetlands Working Group, said the Authority has demonstrated the effectiveness of integrated river basin management, with its commitment to collaboration a clear factor in the judges’ decision.
“The Ngarrindjeri Regional Authority are sharing with us an ancient knowledge of speaking and caring for our rivers and wetlands,” she said. “Their leadership in the management of their country provides us with inspiration and hope for the future of the Murray River. “This is a clear recognition of the importance of listening and learning from Aboriginal people.”
The judging panel comprised senior officials from government, research and not-for-profit institutions from around Australia. The Murray River will now automatically qualify for the second stage of the prestigious Thiess International Riverprize in 2016 – where other regional winners and applicants from all over the world will compete for the world’s top award in river restoration, protection and management.