WATER POLICY
PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Explore our project experience across Australia and the Pacific.
Closing the Water for People and Communities Gap: A review on the management of drinking water supplies in Indigenous remote communities around Australia
Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) (2021 – 2023)
There are over 1,200 remote communities across Australia, most of which are First Nations. Many of these communities experience significant ongoing challenges related to adequate and safe drinking water. Areas of concern include water supply security, quality, and asset maintenance and reliability. In 2021, WSAA commissioned a national review of remote water services to elevate these issues in the national conversation and to recommend ways to close the gap in the delivery of safe drinking water: “Closing the Water for People and Communities Gap – Improving Water Services to First Nations Remote Communities”. The report focuses on issues such as water quality (health and aesthetic aspects) and water security (reliability of water supply, particularly in the face of climate change), as well as systemic issues around governance, funding, and policies associated with remote First Nations communities across Western Australia, the Northern Territory, South Australia, and Queensland. This review has formulated a range of recommendations to support WSAA in its advocacy work with various levels of government, including the Australian Government. The report was launched by the Hon. Linda Burney MP, Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, at Parliament House in Canberra in November 2022. The report’s impact extends beyond its informative content. It was a catalyst in garnering national attention to remote water services issues. It was pivotal in the Australian Government’s commitment of $150 million through the First Nations Water Program Funding, which aims to execute critical water security projects in regional and remote First Nations communities. The report can be accessed via the links below. Eric is the author and spent 2 years writing it through extensive research and engagement with stakeholders and communities. Eric’s work involved stakeholder engagement across state, territory and federal government, stakeholders’ interviews, literature review, analytical research, regulatory and legislative context mapping, evidence-based policy formulation, root cause analysis and visualisation, report writing, presenting findings and recommendations and testing recommendations. Over 170 stakeholders, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, were interviewed across two years.
Launch of the WSAA report on Closing the Water Gap at Parliament House with two community representatives of Alpurrurulam, Adam Lovell (Executive Director of WSAA) and the former Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians, the Hon. Linda Burney MP, Canberra (2022)
2024 AWA/WSAA Voices from the Bush Conference, Alice Springs (2024)
Closing the Water for People and Communities Gap – Human and Business-Centred Programs Proposal for Actions
Water Services Association of Australia (WSAA) (2023)
Following the Report ‘Closing the Water for People and Communities Gap,’ WSAA developed a proposal for action (Human and Business Centered Programs—Proposal for Actions). This proposal provides a unique opportunity to progress essential policy reforms in the conception, delivery, and management of water solutions by First Nations for First Nations. The proposal aims to ensure that capital investment leads to sustainable, fit-for-purpose, and impactful infrastructure solutions that will enhance safe, secure, and reliable water services in First Nations communities. This proposal was submitted to the Minister for the Environment and Water, The Hon Tanya Plibersek MP and Minister for Indigenous Australians, The Hon Linda Burney MP, along with a funding request to the Australian Government to establish a range of initiatives to support better the delivery of water services to First Nations communities. The proposal aims to build a national network of First Nations peoples and communities, key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak bodies, and the water industry, including service providers, regulators, private sector partners, and researchers. Through co-design with First Nations, it aims to develop a range of initiatives that will function as blueprint models and inform future program development. Our work involved developing the proposal for action and submitting it on behalf of WSAA. This included research, stakeholder engagement, and the development and formulation of policy ideas and positions. The work also encompassed engaging and interviewing a range of stakeholders, conducting a literature review, formulating evidence-based policies, writing the proposal, presenting findings and recommendations, and testing recommendations. Over 60 organisations were interviewed, including 30 First Nations organisations.
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Proven low-cost innovative water management and water security solutions for regional & remote Australia
Winston Churchill Trust | Winston Churchill Fellowship (2018-2020)
In 2018, Eric was one of only 110 Fellows selected from a pool of 2,500 candidates to embark on an 8-week research project overseas. The Winston Churchill Trust aims to provide an opportunity for Australians to travel abroad to conduct research in their chosen field. Their mission is to empower people to bring new ideas and approaches to their communities In 2019, Eric travelled to Israel, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates to investigate innovative water management and water supply security solutions, specifically focusing on low-cost, proven water treatment technologies with potential applications in regional and remote Australia. Upon his return, Eric disseminated his findings extensively through various channels. He presented his research at technical and conference events, conducted radio interviews, published reports, and briefed ministerial departments. Eric shared his findings with three federal agencies in Canberra: the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, the National Water Grid Authority, and the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment. In addition, he presented his report to the Northern Territory Minister for Essential Services, the Hon. Dale Wakefield, and the Northern Territory Senator, the Hon. Sam McMahon. Eric developed a strategic paper for the Northern Territory Minister for Essential Services to improve water supply security and reliability in remote Aboriginal communities. This paper capitalised on financial, social, environmental, and technological opportunities to enable strategic water infrastructure investment and the identification of priority projects. Eric’s report can be accessed via the link below.
Presentation of the Winston Churchill Fellowship report to the former NT Minister for Renewables & Essential Services, the Hon. Dale Wakefield MLA, Alice Springs (2019)