Caring for country: A review of Aboriginal engagement in environmental management in New South Wales

Date

2012

Authors

Hunt, Janet

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand

Abstract

This article discusses some emerging models of Indigenous engagement in environmental management in New South Wales and urges expansion of such engagement. NSW Aboriginal people own only around one per cent of the state's land, which suggests that land ownership and rights-based approaches to Aboriginal participation in environmental management are insufficient in NSW. Alternative approaches that recognise Aboriginal responsibilities to 'care for country' are needed. This article reviews opportunities for Aboriginal people to be involved in environmental and natural resource management activities, noting some of the constraints. It suggests some ways to extend such Aboriginal engagement, emphasising both employment creation aspects and the need to reconcile Indigenous and western governance arrangements for the natural environment.

Description

Keywords

Keywords: catchment; environmental management; governance approach; indigenous population; land rights; landownership; local participation; resource management; Australia; New South Wales Aboriginal; Catchment management; Joint management; Native title; Natural resource governance

Citation

Source

Australasian Journal of Environmental Management

Type

Journal article

Book Title

Entity type

Access Statement

License Rights

Restricted until

2037-12-31