South Australian Framework to Advance First Nations’ Water Interests
We are co-designing a South Australian Framework to Advance First Nations’ Water Interests with Traditional Owners.
This page will help you:
- Learn about the development of a South Australian Framework to Advance First Nations’ Water Interests with Traditional Owners.
- Get involved in the co-design of the framework.
- Keep up to date with the framework’s development.
Australian governments have historically excluded First Nations people from water management, which continues to affect the wellbeing of First Nations people and their ability to care for Country.
The framework will identify actions to:
- Strengthen recognition of cultural authority in water planning and management.
- Secure access to water for economic, social, environmental, spiritual and cultural purposes.
- Increase First Nations’ ownership of water entitlements.
- Ensure there is a consistent approach to First Nations’ water interests within the state, while allowing for flexibility to meet individual group needs.
These actions will enable First Nations’ water interests to be advanced within or alongside existing water management frameworks.
Co-designing the framework
The co-design process is being led by DEW, in partnership with South Australian Native Title Services, Landscape SA, SA Water and the Environment Protection Authority.
A series of workshops were held across the state inviting input and feedback from Traditional Owners.
The first round of workshops was held from February to April 2025 and helped us understand the issues, concerns and aspirations of First Nations Peoples regarding:
- Water management and planning.
- Access to water for economic, social, environmental, spiritual and cultural purposes.
- Ownership of water entitlements.
We've compiled all feedback received from Traditional Owners into a 'what we heard' report.
A second round of workshops was held from July – August 2025 to explore ways to elevate and progress identified First Nations’ water aspirations.
Feedback provided in Round 2 confirmed the importance of all themes identified through Round 1 and provided further detail and action to build on the themes.
A 'what we heard' report has been collated summarising the feedback and the evolution of the themes through Round 2 engagement.
A draft framework was shared with Prescribed Body Corporates (PBC's) for review in November 2025. PBC's are now consulting with their membership and will report back to each other at the next forum in April-May 2026.
Keep up-to-date
- Sign-up to receive updates on the development of the South Australian Framework to Advance First Nations’ Water Interests.
- Contact us at DEWWater@sa.gov.au
