Water Resource Management

The State Government, in its commitment to preserving the natural values of rivers in Cape York Peninsula, engaged Balkanu to facilitate Indigenous consultation for wild rivers management and to organise preliminary information workshops with representatives of Indigenous groups for three potential wild river areas namely, the Archer River Basin, the Stewart River Basin, and the Lockhart River Basin. Balkanu facilitated the co-ordination of consultative workshops, planning and logistics management,  investigation and identification of sites, scientific reviews, financial and progress report management, liaison with Indigenous and Government representatives and community groups.  

Balkanu was appointed by NAILSMA to promote the Indigenous Community Water Facilitators Network in Cape York communities.  The project was to promote awareness on maintenance of healthy waterways and Indigenous rights to their local waterways.  Balkanu facilitated workshops throughout key communities to bring awareness to the importance of conservation of healthy our waterways, gain indepth understanding about water issues and acknowledge the importance of sustainable Community Water Planning for healthier land and sea countries.  Balkanu co-ordinated those workshops with Traditional Owners around Cape communities and reported on outcomes and forward plans.  Our Chairman inspired message was that  ‘Rains that come down and purifies the Earth and gives life’.