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The role of the Yorta Yorta people in clarifying the common interest in sustainable management of the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia

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Abstract

The Murray–Darling Basin incorporates Australia’s three longest rivers and spans four states and one territory. It is important for an agricultural industry worth more than AUS$9 billion per year, but is also the life source and the spirit of the Indigenous Yorta Yorta people. Here, we address whether the interests of the Yorta Yorta people can encompass the common interest of the wider community in the Basin, and how the colonial legacy and climate change of the past century continue to influence the realization of the common interest moving forward. We find that shared regional governance with an agreed outcome supports the ongoing sustainability of the country and its people, but because of the legal history of Australia since colonization, recognition and mutual respect are no less important. Further, we note that the increasing climatic variability and changing climatic mechanisms that now exemplify the southeast of Australia corroborates the need for adaptive planning with longer time horizons. These lessons are supported by the customary law and practice of the Yorta Yorta people.

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Notes

  1. Spiritual Song of the Aborigine, by Hyllus Maris (1934–1986), in: Discover…The Australian Aborigines, 1998, p.18 (Westermann Schroedel Diesterweg Schöningh Winkler Inc.) ISBN: 978-3-14-040042-8.

  2. Theresa Clements, From Old Maloga: The Memories of an Aboriginal Woman, no date, ABC Mission Voices; http://www.abc.net.au/missionvoices/cummeragunja/default.htm.

  3. http://www.yynac.com.au/about.php, accessed 7th December 2011.

    .

  4. “For the vast majority of indigenous Australians the Mabo decisions are a belated act of sterile symbolism. It will not return the country of our ancestors, not will it result in compensation for its loss.” Michael Dodson, statement on behalf of the Northern Land Council in The Australian contribution: UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations, Tenth Session Geneva July 1992 at p 35.

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Acknowledgments

This work would not have been possible without the contributions from the project team, including Neville Atkinson, Denise Morgan, Kate Auty, Gordana Marin, Xuan Zhu, Mark Harris, and Craig Hammer. In addition, the importance of the participation, support, and interest of the Yorta Yorta Elders Council cannot be overestimated. This work has been supported in part by the Victorian Centre for Climate Change Adaptation Research and by Brown University.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Environmental Change Initiative, Department of Geological Sciences, Brown University, Box 1951, Providence, RI, 02912, USA

    Amanda H. Lynch

  2. Monash Sustainability Institute, Monash University, VIC, 3800, Australia

    David Griggs

  3. Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation, PO Box 1363, Shepparton, VIC, 3632, Australia

    Lee Joachim & Jackie Walker

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  1. Amanda H. Lynch
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  2. David Griggs
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Correspondence to Amanda H. Lynch.

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Lynch, A.H., Griggs, D., Joachim, L. et al. The role of the Yorta Yorta people in clarifying the common interest in sustainable management of the Murray–Darling Basin, Australia. Policy Sci 46, 109–123 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11077-012-9164-8

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