pilot_project_for_community_engagement_in_water_conservation_at_ali_curung.pdf

Live & Learn Environmental Education www.livelearn.org

Final Report: Key Findings, Recommendations & Options 1


ReportpreparedforthePowerandWaterCorporation,RemoteOperations.November2010.ThisworkwascompletedundertheCommunityWaterPlanninginitiative,developingappropriatewaystoimprovewatermanagementonIndigenouscommunities.PowerandWaterCorporationPOBox37471,Winnellie,NT0821Australia:1800245092International:+61889234681www.powerwater.com.auResearchedanddevelopedbyLive&LearnEnvironmentalEducationInc.Authors:JessAbrahams&RobbieHendersonLive&LearnEnvironmentalEducation18WarburtonSt(cornerofLindsayAve.)POBox2796AliceSprings,0871NorthernTerritory,AustraliaTel:+61(0)889523924Website:www.livelearn.orgAcknowledgementsThisprojectanddevelopmentoftheCommunityWaterRangerPilotProgramManualwasmadepossiblebythesupport,assistanceandparticipationofmanyorganisationsandindividuals.Wethankthemforsharingtheirexperiences,opinions,aspirationsandnewideasthathavemadeavaluablecontributiontothiswork.Inparticularwethank:RAPparticipants:(Women):GriseldaBeasley,ZezaEgan,LucyJackson,JulieWauchope,MaureenJohnson,GabriellaBeasley,ValdaShannon,SavannahLong,PamelaMick,GwenBrownandNicoletteFrank;(Men):JoeBeasley,MartinSpratt,DannyWalker,FrancisJones,DamienBrown,AlstonNelson,HestonDickenson,StamosLane,VirgilDowns,JarvisJohnson,BoydSimpsonandDarrenCarr.Otherstakeholderswhoprovidedassistance:(BarklyShire):SharonMackenzie,RichardBrady,JeffIversen,BarryLovegrove,BarryDriverandRonColls;(FAHCSIA):MichaelGeorgeandLucyJackson;(DEET)MegMcGrath;(JRES)AdamRandall;(Centrefarm):GregMcAdamWehavedoneourbesttothankeveryonewhohasmadeasignificantcontributionandapologiseforanyonewemayhaveoverlooked.



Contents

Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 4

SustainableDevelopmentModel ................................................................................... 6ExecutiveSummary ....................................................................................................... 7

PartA:ResearchofAspirationsandPerceptions(RAP).................................................... 10

RAPMethodology........................................................................................................ 10RAPFindings................................................................................................................ 13

Theme1:Perceptionsoftheimportanceofwaterindailylife ...................................... 13Theme2:Perceptionsondecisionmakingandresponsibilityforwaterinthecommunity...................................................................................................................... 21Theme3:Perceptionsaboutwork(paidandvoluntary)................................................ 22Theme4:Perceptionsofcommunitystrengths,organisation&capacity ..................... 24

LessonslearnedfromtheRAPworkshopprocess......................................................... 27Discussionofshared,communitywideincentives ....................................................... 29

PartBRecommendations.............................................................................................. 31

RecommendationsforaWaterConservationProgram ................................................ 31

PartCWaterConservationProgram.............................................................................. 38

Conclusion ....................................................................................................................... 39



Introduction

Live&LearnEnvironmentalEducationwascontractedbyPowerandWater

CorporationtodesignacommunitywaterconservationprogramforaprograminAli

Curung.Theoverallaimoftheprojectwastodesigneffectivemethodstoengage

andempowerIndigenouscommunitiestomanagedemandforwaterandtoachieve

tangiblesavings.AliCurungwasthesecondhighestwateruseramongremote

AboriginalcommunitiesintheNorthernTerritoryandthusanidealcandidatefora

waterconservationprogram.

Live&Learnhasdesignedthecommunitywaterconservationprogrambyemploying

theprinciplesofourSustainableDevelopmentModel(SDM).Thebasicpremiseof

theSDMistoenableandempowercommunitiestoachievegreaterselfreliancein

meetingtheirownneedsthroughincreasedparticipation,ownershipand

developmentofrelevantknowledgeandskills.Thisapproachcontrastswitha

servicedeliverymodel,whichisthecurrentNorthernTerritorystandardintermsof

howservicesareaccessedandprovidedinremotecommunities.Thedifference

betweentheSDMandaservicedeliveryapproacharedescribedfurtherinDiagram

1.

TheSustainableDevelopmentModelisnotanoutcomeofthisconsultancy.However

theprinciplesofthemodelareintegratedintothedesignofthewaterconservation

program,andareevidentintheprocessandthinkingemployedinitsdevelopment.

Forexample,theproposedwaterconservationprogramfocusesonemployingand

developingthecapacityoflocalAboriginalpeopletoimplementwaterconservation

activitieswithintheirowncommunities.Analternative(andmoretypical)approach

wouldhavebeentodesignacomprehensivewaterconservationprogramthata

waterconservationexpertfromoutsidethecommunitywouldimplement.Insome

respectsthiswouldhavebeeneasier,astherewouldbelesschallengestoovercome

intermsofstaffcapacity,andthestartupcostsofsuchanapproachwouldbeless.

Howevertheexpectationsofalastingchangeinloweringwaterusagewouldbe

quitelowfromthisapproach.Thesustainabledevelopmentapproachhasmany

advantagesincludingbuildinglocalcapacityforchange,whichhasthepotentialto

gofurther,beseenasmorelegitimatefromacommunityperspectiveandbelonger



lasting.Inthemediumtolongtermitisalsolikelytobemorecosteffectiveasthe

needtobuyinexternalexpertiseisreduced.

Thisreportisorganisedintothreeparts.PartAsummarisesthekeyfindingsofthe

ResearchofAspirationsandPerceptions(RAP)study,whichwasundertakenwith

menandwomeninAliCurung.Thestudyfocusedoncommunityperceptions,

knowledge,capacity,strengthsandbarriersrelevanttowaterconservationand

relatedwork.PartBdrawsfromtheRAPfindingstomakeaseriesof

recommendationsforthedesignandmanagementofawaterconservationprogram

forAliCurung,whichwouldpotentiallybesuitableforreplicationinother

communities.PartCprovidesanoutlineofaWaterConservationProgramwhichhas

beendesignedforapilotphaseandformsappendicestothemaindocument.



Darwin 1: Sustainable Development Model Pr

opos

ed S

usta

inab

le D

evel

opm

ent M

odel

Criticalawareness&learning

Selfrelianceandlivelihoods

options

Empowerment

Communitymobilisation&behaviourchange

Dom

inat

ing

Serv

ice

Del

iver

y M

odel

Assesscommunityneeds

Provideservices,repairs,maintenance&runningcosts

GovernmentAgencies Privateserviceproviders(Outsidecommunity)

Participationof

Communitymembers

ManagementofNaturalResources

Dependency

Expensive

Disempowering

Unsustainable

CriticalThinking

Participation

SelfReliance

Ownership



Executive Summary

Corefindingscontainedinthisreportareasfollows:

WaterconservationisalowpriorityforresidentsinAliCurung,althoughcommunitymemberscanreadilyrecognisewherewaterisbeingwasted.

Participantscouldidentifyfewifanyshortorlongtermseriousconsequences

ofwastingwater.

ThefinancialconsequencesforwaterwastinginAliCurungarefargreaterforPowerandWaterthantheyareforIndigenousresidentsortheBarklyShire.

LeaksfromPowerandWaterwatersupplyinfrastructureareamajorcontributiontohighwaterconsumptioninAliCurung.Outdoorresidential

andcommunitywateruse(e.g.lawnwateringandwastefulwaterplayby

children)arealsocontributingfactors.

BarklyShireCDEPmanagementstaffareanidealcommunitygrouptofacilitateandadministerawaterconservationprograminAliCurung

CDEPworkerswereidentifiedasthegroupbestplacedtomobilise(viatopupemployment)tocarryoutwaterconservationwork,withsupportfrom

communityElders.

Watersavingactivitiesthatwaterconservationworkerscouldfocusoninclude:

o Undertakeauditing,makeminorrepairsandretrofitswithinresidentialdwellingsandworkplaces

o Improveefficiencyofwateruseinparksandgardenso Undertakeauditingandimprovereportingandresponsetimeto

residentialandcommunityleaks.

ApercentageofthesavingsinwaterproductioncoststoPowerandWaterfrommeasurableimprovementsinwaterconservationcouldbereinvested

inthelocalwaterconservationprogramtoensurethesavingsareongoing.A

percentageofthesavingscouldalsoberetunedtothecommunitytohelp

fundacommunityaspirationproject,providinganattractivecommunity

incentivetocontinuewaterconservation.

Basedonthecorefindings,Live&Learnhavedeveloped15recommendationsfor

thedesignanddevelopmentofacommunitywaterconservationprogram.



Insummarytherecommendationsareasfollows(explainedindetailinthebodyof

thereport):

Summaryofrecommendations

1. PowerandWatertakeadvantageofthesignificantfinancialopportunitythatcurrentlyexiststoinvestinwaterconservationinAliCurung.Weestimate

thatsavingsintheorderof$106,000peryearinavoidedproductioncostsare

possible.

2. A10percentor20precentreductionindailyconsumptionisarealisticobjectiveforawaterconservationprograminAliCurung.

3. Werecommendthatthehighestpriorityfortheuseofsavingsfromreducedsupplycostsistoreinvestaportioninprovidingongoingfundingtothe

waterconservationprogram.

4. Werecommendthatreinvestingsavingsfromreducedsupplycostsintoinnovative,sharedcommunitywideincentivestofurthersavewaterwould

beaworthwhileoptiontomotivatebehaviourchange.

5. WerecommendthatsavingsmadebyBarklyShireinreducedwaterbillsbereinvestedbacktothelocalcommunitytohelpfundthecostsassociated

withtheprogram.

6. Astable,locallybasedinstitutionororganisationisrequiredtomanageongrounddeliveryofawaterconservationprogram.

7. CommunityWaterRangersareprovidedwithrelevanttraining.Thereisarangeoffundingsupport,existingprogramsandopportunitiesavailablethat

couldbeutilised.

8. CommunityWaterRangerswearauniformwithadedicatedbadgeorlogotohelpestablishcommunityrecognitionoftheprogramandtheroleofa

Ranger.

9. Effectivemonitoringisessentialtomeasureprogramoutcomesandcreateopportunitiesforlearningandstrengtheningaprogram.

10. ThePowerandWaterCommunityEngagementOfficerSouthpositioncouldhaveakeyroleintheimplementationofthisproject.

11. Elderscouldsupport,mentorandoffervaluablelegitimacytoawaterconservationproject.

12. Thatlocalfamiliescouldhelpinsupportingworkerswithculturalandsocialissues.

13. Pilotorpretestacommunitywaterconservationprogramthatcouldpotentiallybescaleduporreplicated.



14. Referencecaseorbusinessasusualwateruseshouldbemeasuredovertheperiodofthepilotandresultsbemonitoredandevaluatedafterthetrial.

Thefindingsandrecommendationsdescribedinthisreportwhereusedtodesigna

CommunityWaterRangerprogram.ACommunityWaterRangerpilotproject

manualhasbeendevelopedandcontainsguidancetoprojectmanagersonhowto

establish,supportandoperateaCommunityWaterRangerprogram.Themanual

includes;(i)programobjectives;(ii)approachesforachievingwatersavings;(iii)

structureoftheprogram,includinggovernance,rolesandresponsibilities;(iv)

methodstoprovideorientation,supportandempoweremployees;(v)training;(vi)

projectmanagementtools;(vii)monitoringandevaluationmethods;and(viii)

detailedinstructionsandtoolsfortheactivities(dailytasks)thatCommunityWater

Rangerswouldperform.

Theprogramisinitsdesignphase,andhencetheprogramguidedevelopedisjust

that,aguide.Itisenvisionedthatthisguidewouldbeupdatedandimprovedby

implementationofthepilotprogram,monitoringandevaluatingthepilotandusing

theselearningstorefinethedesignoftheCommunityWaterRangerprogram.



Part A: Research of Aspirations and Perceptions (RAP)

RAP Methodology

Live & Learn endeavors to design community development programs with

participationofcommunitymembers.TheResearchofAspirationsandPerceptions

(RAP) approach provides a rapid assessment of social, cultural, economic and

environmentalfactorswithinacommunity.Thefindingsareusedtoguidethedesign

ofprogramstoincreaserelevance,respondtoneedsandaspirations,andcreatean

empoweringenvironmentbybuildinguponexistingstrengths.

Thegoalof theRAP is toenableprogramdesignersandmanagers to: (i) start the

program from where communities and institutions are at; (ii) develop an

understandingofhowthesocial,economic,culturalandenvironmentalsystemsare

interrelated and dependant on each other; (iii) identify gaps in community and

institutionalcapacitytoimplementawaterconservationprogram;and(iv)providea

foundationforthebuildingofpartnerships.TheRAPisapracticaltoolthatwasused

toinformthedetaileddesignofthewaterconservationprogram.

InDecember2009,11womenofvariousagesincludingkeycommunityElders,

participatedinatwodaywomensRAPworkshop.InFebruary2010,13menof

variousages,predominantlyinvolvedintheCommunityDevelopmentEmployment

Program(CDEP),participatedinatwodaymensRAPworkshop.AyouthRAPwas

notundertakenseparatelybecauseyoungpeople(aged20to25)wereadequately

representedinthemensandwomensworkshops.Semistructuredinterviewswere

alsoconductedwithPowerandWaterandBarklyShirestaff.Informaldiscussions

withotherShirestaffandcommunitymembershavealsoinformedtheRAPprocess,

ashasaninitialpresentationtotheAliCurungLocalBoard.



TheRAPprocesswasguidedbyanumberofkeyresearchquestionsorganisedwithin

fourthemes,aspresentedinTable1.TheRAPworkshopsareimplementedusing

highlyparticipatoryfacilitatedactivitiestocriticallyexploreanswerstotheresearch

questions.Theactivitiesaredesignedtoencouragedeepthinkingandtoremove

barrierstoparticipation,suchasliteracy,orsocialbarrierssuchascultureorgender.

RAPparticipantsexaminebarriersthatpreventpeoplefromsucceedinginworkandidentifystrategiestoovercomesuchbarriers.



Table1:Researchthemesandkeyresearchquestions

Theme Keyresearchquestions

Howimportantiswaterasanissueorconcern

relativetootherissuesandconcernsaffecting

communitylife?

Whatdoesthecommunityaspiretousewaterfor?

Perceptionsoftheimportance

ofwaterindailylife

Whataretheconsequencesofwastingwater?

Whocurrentlymakesdecisionsand/ortakes

responsibilityforwater(attheresidentialand

wholecommunityscale)?

Perceptionsondecision

makingandresponsibilityfor

waterinthecommunity

Whoshouldberesponsibleforwater(atthe

residentialandwholecommunityscale)?

Whatarethesocialandeconomicbenefitsofwork

(paidandvoluntary)?

Whatarethebarrierstowork?

Perceptionsaboutwork(paid

andvoluntary)

Whatarethemotivatorstowork?

Whatarethecommunitysstrengthsandassets

(individual,communityandnatural/physical

resources?

Perceptionsofcommunity

strengths,organisation&

capacity

Whichgroupsorindividualswouldbemostlikelyto

participateinawaterconservationprogram?

Note:LimitationsoftheRAPapproachshouldbenotedwheninterpretingthe

findings.TheRAPdoesnotrepresentcomprehensivesocialresearch,butrather

providesacursorystudytoassistwithprojectdesign.Careshouldbetakenwhen

extrapolatingthefindingstogroupsbeyondthoseparticipatingintheRAP.



RAP Findings

ThefindingsofourresearchontheAliCurungcommunitysaspirationsand

perceptionsofwaterconservationaresummarisedbelowunderthefourtheme

headingsandresearchquestions.

Theme 1: Perceptions of the importance of water in daily life Howimportantiswaterasanissueorconcernrelativetootherissuesandconcerns

affectingcommunitylife?

TheRAPphaseoftheprojecthasclearlyidentifiedthatwaterconservationisnota

highpriorityineverydaylifeatAliCurung.InfactNotWastingWaterwas

consistentlyrankedlastornearlastincomparisonwithotherissuesincluding

CulturalBusiness,Jobs,HealthCare,etcinbothmensandwomensRAP

workshops.Table2summarisesparticipantsrankingofissues.

Table2.RAPparticipantsrankingofimportanceofissues

Waterbeingwasted(highlightedinblue)wasrankedloworoflowestimportanceby

mostgroups,exceptyoungwomen.

Olderwomen Younger

women

Oldermen Middleaged

men

Youngermen

#1Cultural

business

#1Payingfor

electricity

#1Cultural

business

#1Healthcare #1Cultural

business

#2Healthcare #2Water

beingwasted

#2Healthcare #2Cultural

business

#2Jobs

#3Jobs #3Jobs #3Jobs #3Jobs #3Payingfor

electricity

#4Sportand

recreation

#4Healthcare #4Water

beingwasted

#4Payingfor

electricity

#4Healthcare

#5Payingfor

electricity

#5Sportsand

recreation

#5Paying

electricity

#5Sportand

recreation

#5Sportand

recreation

#6Water

beingwasted

#6Culture #6Sportand

recreation

#6Water

beingwasted

#6Water

beingwasted



FemaleRAPparticipantsdebatetheimportanceoflocalissues(presentedaspictograms)andrankthemaccordingtoimportance.

Despitethelackofconcernaboutwastingwater,thediscussionswehadwith

residentsclearlydemonstratedthatpeopleinAliCurungcananddo,understandand

appreciatetheimportanceofwaterconservation.Whenaskedwhereiswaterbeing

wasted?residentsreadilyidentifiedanumberofkeyareas:



LeakingandburstpipesParticipantsandShirestaffsaidthattheageingandunmappedwaterinfrastructureisdifficulttomaintainwithunderground

pipesregularlyleakingandbursting.

ExcessivewateringoflawnsandtreesParticipantsintheRAPwereproudofAliCurungsgreenpublicparksandlawns,howeveraboveground

sprinklersoftenrun24/7.(Onepublicparkdoesactuallyhavepopup

sprinklers,whichwaterthelawneffectivelyonatimersystem.)

ChildrenswaterplayMenandwomenconsistentlyidentifiedchildrenaswastersofwater.Childrenwantingtocooldowninthesummerheatare

knowntoswiminrubbish(wheelie)binsfilledwithwaterandtoturnonfire

hydrants,butnotturnthemoffagain.Onemaleparticipantreportedbathing

inanoldfreezer.

TankoverflowBothmaleandfemaleparticipantsreportedthatwateroverflowsfromthetownswatertowerheadertankonaregular(weekly)

basis,althoughtheEssentialServicesOperatordidntbelievethiswasthe

case.

RunningtapsSomemaleparticipantsagreedtapsbeingleftonwasacauseofwaterwastagewhileothersdidntbelieveitwasthecase.Asresearchers,

wewitnessedtapsleftrunningingardensandschooltoilets,aswellasthe

ArtCentresevaporativeairconditionerrunning24/7withexcessivebleed

(about15L/min).

DomesticleaksParticipantsalsoreportedleakingtoiletsandtapsinpeopleshouses,andwhilethereisahousingmaintenanceservicetorepair

leaks,itwasunclearhoweffectivereportingandresponseratesare.Some

participantssaidthatleakswerefixedpromptlywhenreported,whileothers

saidthatitsometimestookalongtimeanddependedonhowbusythe

plumberandotherserviceproviderswere.Whenquestioned,participants

agreedthatslowresponsetimestoreportedproblemscouldaffectthe

motivationofresidentstoreportproblemsinthefuture.



Whatdoesthecommunityaspiretousewaterfor?

TheRAPphaseclearlyidentifiedthefollowingaspirations.Aswedidnotexplicitly

askparticipantstoranktheseinorderofimportance,andparticipantsrepresenta

smallcrosssectionofthecommunity,thefollowingshouldnotbeconsidereda

comprehensiverepresentationofcommunityaspirations.Thatsaid,fromthe

conversationsheld,wewereabletoroughlygaugetherelativeimportanceofthe

followingaspirationsbyhowmanypeople,andwithhowmuchenthusiasm,they

communicatedtous.Thisisreflectedinthecommentsbelow:

SwimmingpoolCommunitymembersreiteratedoverandoveragaintheirstrongdesireforaswimmingpoolinAliCurung,forthesocial,recreational

andhealthbenefits.Anotherpopularoptionwasawaterplayparklikethe

oneinKatherine,whichisthoughttobesaferandmorewaterefficientthan

apool.Residentsarguedchildrenwouldntwastewaterinplayiftheyhada

properpool/waterparktovisit.TheShireServicesManagersaidtheShire

apparentlyhasfundingtobuildawaterpark,butnotforitsongoing

operationalcosts.ThisisapopularandsignificantaspirationinAliCurung.

GreenparksandgardensAlessambitiousbutstillimportantaspiration,(moreforfemaleparticipants,butalsomentionedbysomemale

participants),wasforAliCurungtomaintainandenhancetheirexistingpublic

parksandlawnswithmoreshadetrees,andaccordingtosomewomen

Elders,flower,bushtuckerandmedicinegardens.Importantly,asignificant

concernidentifiedbythecommunitywasafearthattheymaylosesomeof

thisgreenamenityifwaterconservationisstrictlypursuedinAliCurung.We

werequicktorespondtotheseconcernsandreassureparticipantsthata

waterconservationprojectwouldnottakeawayamenity,butwouldrather

aimtomaintainandevenenhanceit,butwithimprovedwaterefficiency.

LawnonfootyovalAnotherimportantaspirationfortheAliCurungcommunityistorestorethegrassontheirfootballoval.Theovalwas

apparentlypreviouslywateredwithpopupsprinklersfromadedicated

headertank.Sincethetankcamedowninastorm,theovalhasgonetodirt,

impactingheavilyoncommunitysportandrecreation.

CommunityfarmAliCurungformerlyhadaworkingfarm,whichisstillheldinhighregard.Olderresidentscanclearlyrememberthedripperirrigation

systemthatwasusedtowatercropsaswellasthewindmillthatwasusedto



pumpwaterforthepigfarm.Centrefarmsrecentproposaltoreestablish

thefarminconjunctionwithahorticulturaltrainingcentrehasgoodsupport

amongstthecommunitymemberswespokewith.

Whataretheconsequencesofwastingwater?

Participantsidentifiedfewifanyshortorlongtermseriousconsequencesofwasting

waterinAliCurung.Whenaskeddirectlyabouttheconsequencesofwastingwater,

participantsinthewomensworkshopmadecommentslike:

Kidscomehomefromschoolandwanttoswiminpuddlescreatedbywaterwaste.Thismightcausethemtobecomesick.

Mosquitosmightbreedaroundthegrassyareasthathavegrownfromleakshoweveritwasthenagreedthatmosquitosarentactuallya

probleminAliCurung.

Ifasprinklerhasbeenleftonallnightitmightcausethetaptojamsothatitcan'tbeturnedoff.InthiscasesomeonewouldneedtotellCDEP

stafftofixit.

Noneofthesecommentsreallydemonstratesignificantimplicationsforthe

communityoritswatersupplyfromwastingwater.Theonlycommentthathinted

atthesustainabilityofthewatersupplywas:

Peoplemightgetdehydratedifthewaterrunsout.

Howeverthisstatementislikelyreferringtowatersupplybeingtemporarily

unavailable(asitoftenisduringmaintenance)ratherthanrunningoutaltogether.

Thereasonforalackofconcernaboutthelongtermsustainabilityofthewater

supplyislikelyduetothewidelyknownandappreciatedfactamongcommunity

membersthattheregionhasanabundantandregularlyreplenishedgroundwater

supply.

Maleparticipantswerenotdirectlyaskedquestionsregardingtheconsequencesof

wastingwaterduetoalackoftime,andthedifficultyofrunningthisactivity

successfullyintheWomensRAP.Semistructuredinterviewsandgeneral



conversationwehadwithresidentsandShirestaffdidhowevertouchonthese

issues.Theiranswershaveinformedthefollowingfindings.

ThecoststhatPowerandWaterfacesinsupplyingandtreatingwaterinAliCurungareunknowntoandessentiallyunrecognisedbythe

communityinAliCurung.AsthepublichasnoaccesstoPowerand

Watersinternalcostings,thislackofknowledgeistotally

understandable.

HousesinAliCurung,likethoseinotherremotecommunities,donothavewatermeters,andsoresidentsdonotpayforthewaterthey

consume.Thereisthereforenofinancialconsequenceforwastingwater

orincentiveforsavingwaterdomesticallyasthereisforelectricity,which

ismeteredandpaidforusingpowercards.Evenifwaterwaspaidfor,

waterintheNTisinexpensive($1.14/kLforgovernmentcustomersat

July2010).1

UndertheStrategicIndigenousHousingInfrastructureProgram(SIHIP)newhouseswillhavewatermetersinstalled.Uponhearingthisnews,

residentsexpressedsomeconcernthattheywouldnowhavetopayfor

water.AcommentmadebothatthelocalBoardmeetingandatthe

womensworkshopwasIfitisourwaterfromunderourcountry,whydo

wehavetopayforit?Againthisillustratesalackofunderstandingofthe

costsincurredinsupplyingtheservice.

AccordingtoPowerandWaterhowever,residentswillnotbechargeddirectlyforwater,butHousingNTwhoisresponsibleforthehousesmay

becharged.

ShirepropertiesincludingpublicparksandgardensaremeteredandthereforetheShiredoesfacefinancialconsequencesforwastingwateras

wellasanincentivetoconservewater.Shires(andgovernment

departments)arechargedtheNTuniformtariffof$1.14plusservicefee

perkilolitre,(theservicefeeisbasedonafixeddailychargewhichis

dependentonthesizeoftheconnection,anaverageconnectiononthe

communitywouldattractadailychargebetween$0.45and$1.80).

Howeveruntilrecently,thereachofthemeteringwaslimitedandonlya

smallamountcouldbecharged.Expansionofmeteringin2009toall

1PowerandWater(2010),HowmuchDoesitCostforPower,Water&Sewerage?AccessedOctober2010online:www.powerwater.com.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/1582/20092010_tariff_July2009.pdf



governmentandbusinesswateruserscombinedinAliCurungwas

completed.BarklyShirewillincreasinglyfeelthefinancialcostofwater

wastageandthiswillindirectlyimpactonthecommunitylongterm

throughareductioninoperationalexpensesandthereforefunds

availableforotheruses.

Schoolwateruseisalsometeredandpaidfor,andthereforetheschoolalsofacesfinancialconsequencesforwastingwater.Howeveritisunclear

whethersavingsmadeinwatercostscanbemadeavailableforusein

otherexpenditure.

Examplesofinefficientwaterusesuchassprinklersleftrunning,areeasilyobservedinAliCurung.



TheconsequencesforwastingwaterinAliCurungareprobablygreatestforPowerandWater.In200809,combinedoperationalandcapitalcosts

forwaterproductioninAliCurungwere$529,896.About14percentor

$74,185ofthesecostswasrecoveredinbilling.Recoveryrateshave

improvedinrecenthistoryandwillcontinuetodosoasPowerandWater

improvemeteringinfrastructureinthecommunity.Nonethelessthere

areclearlysignificantcostsavingstobemadeforPowerandWaterfrom

improvedwaterconservationinAliCurung.Ifwaterconsumptioncould

bereducedbyaconservative20percent,savingsofnearly$105,979a

yearcouldbemade.2

In2011AliCurungwillseeaninfrastructureupgradeasAdvanceWaterTreatmenttechnologyinstalled.ThiswillseeasignificantperKL

productioncostincrease.Thenewproductionrateisestimatedtobe

$4.0/KL.Basedonthispotentialincreaseinproductioncosts,ifwater

consumptioncouldbereducedbyaconservative20percent,savingsof

nearly$205,785ayearcouldbemade.

Insummary,theabundanceofsupplyandlackofdirectfinancialconsequencesfor

residentswastingwaterprovidelittleincentiveforwaterconservationinAliCurung.

Therefore,forawaterconservationprogramtobesuccessful,otherincentivesfor

savingwaterneedtobeidentified.

2Pleasenotethatthe2009/2010productioncostswerenotavailableatthetimeofwritingthisreportandassuchproductioncostsarebasedon2008/2009data.



Theme 2: Perceptions on decision-making and responsibility for water in the community

Whocurrentlymakesdecisionsand/ortakesresponsibilityforwater(atthe

residentialandwholecommunityscale)?Whoshouldberesponsibleforwater(atthe

residentialandwholecommunityscale)?

ItwasdifficultintheRAPworkshopsforfacilitatorstomakethedistinctionclearto

participantsbetweenwhoisresponsibleandwhoshouldberesponsiblewhen

engagingwithparticipantstoanswertheaboveresearchquestion.

Anumberofdifferentwaterwastingscenarioswerepresentedtoworkshop

participants.Inmostofthese,householderswereidentifiedasbeingresponsiblefor

waterontheresidentialscale,althoughthelocalcontractplumberwasidentifiedas

thepersonwhowouldactuallyfixthings.Whenaskedaboutdifferencesof

responsibilitybetweenwomenandmen,womenintheirworkshopsaiditwas

equallytheresponsibilityofwomenandmentosavewaterinsidethehouse.The

menhoweversuggesteditwasmoreamensresponsibilitytofixplumbingleaks

thanwomensalthoughsomewomenmaystilltry.Participants,especiallywomen,

acknowledgedalackofexpertisewithrepairingdomesticplumbingfaults.

Onacommunityscale,therewasabeliefthateverybodyshouldberesponsiblefor

conservingwaterbutinrealityitseemsthatthatnobodyreallyisresponsible.

AndrewtheESOwasidentifiedasbeingresponsibleforpreventingwaterwastage

onacommunityscale.TheCDEPparksandgardenscrewwereidentifiedasbeing

responsibleforsprinklersleftoninparks.ThehighlevelofwateruseinAliCurung

(1,172litresperperson,perdayin2009/10)indicatesthattheseresponsibilitiesare

notbeingadequatelyattended.



Theme 3: Perceptions about work (paid and voluntary)

Whatarethesocialandeconomicbenefitsofwork(paidandvoluntary)?

Someofthesocialandeconomicbenefitsofworkincluded:

Keepingbusyandactive Gettingoutofthehouse Makingmoneytopaybills Stayingfitandphysical Socialising Contributingtothecommunity Keepingthemindoccupied Keepsyoungfellasbusyotherwisetheywillbeoffatthepub

Whatarethebarrierstowork?

Workshopparticipantsnotonlyidentifiedthebarrierstoworkbutalsostrategiesto

overcomethem.Theseincluded:

CulturalissuesTheoftencitedexamplewastimeoffforsorrybusinessinterferingwithworkrequirements.Abuseofsorrybusinessasanexcuse

totaketimeoffwasalsomentioned.Aneffectivestrategytomeetthis

challengewasidentifiedasinvolvementoffamilytoensuregoodand

honestcommunicationbetweenemployeeandemployertoascertain

authenticculturalneeds.

SocialissuesJealousycameuprepeatedlyasasocialissuethatcaninterferewithsuccessfulemployment.Participantssaidtheirpartners

werejealousofthemgoingtoworkastheymighthaveanopportunityto

meetotherpartners.Thestrategyidentifiedtoovercomethiswasgood

communicationbetweenpartnerstodeveloptrust.

DrinkingAswithmanycommunities,excessivedrinkingofalcoholcanbeanissueinAliCurung,withworkshopparticipantsidentifyingitasa

barriertosuccessfulemployment.AvoidingschedulingworkonFridays

(paydayisThursday)isonestrategy.Anothermightbeteamingtherole

withanElderinapositiverolemodel/mentoringrole.



Whatarethemotivatorstowork?

FormaleCEDPworkers,higherratesofpaywerebothamotivatortoworkandasharedaspiration.

Foryoungerwomen,themainmotivatorwasalsoearningmoney. Forolderwomenthemotivatorforworkwasmoreaboutmakinga

contributiontothecommunity.



Theme 4: Perceptions of community strengths, organisation & capacity

Whatarethecommunitysstrengthsandassets(individual,communityandnatural/

physicalresources?)

TheRAPprocessidentifiedthefollowingcommunityresources:

AbundantgroundwaterAliCurungisblessedwithanabundantgroundwaterresourcefromtheDavenportBasin.Howeverthesizeofthis

resourceandtheeaseofsupplyofferedbymoderninfrastructurehas

createdanobviousdegreeofcomplacencyinregardtoitsconservation.

StrongCDEPAliCurungappearstohaveawellfunctioningCDEPprogramwithstrongandeffectiveleadershipfromShirestaff.CDEPstaffarriveat

workearly,dressedinappropriateclothingandfootwear,completed

timesheets,andweregenerallywellorganised.TheCDEPmanager

commentedthathavingAboriginalmanagerswasanotherimportantelement

oftheprogramssuccess.

OnsiteplumberUnlikemanyremotecommunities,AliCurunghasaplumberemployedbytheShire,wholivesonsite,andisabletorespondto

plumbingneeds.

CentrefarmprojectInthe1970sAliCurunghadahighlysuccessfulfarmthatnotonlysuppliedproducetoresidentsofAliCurungbuttoTennant

Creeksupermarketsaswell.Centrefarmnowhasfundingtoestablisha

horticulturaltrainingcentreaswellasreestablishthecommunityfarm.

RespectedEldersAliCurunghasastrongpoolofrespectedElderswhohaveapositiveinfluenceonthecommunity.

SupportiveShireServicesManagerAliCurungsnewSSMisverysupportiveandunderstandingoftheneedtoimprovewaterconservationinAliCurung.

Hehasbeenproactiveinrepairingmajorleaksandissupportiveofapilot

waterconservationproject.

WillingnesstoworkCommunitymemberswespoketoshowedarealwillingnessandinterestinwork,especiallyinjobsthathaveawider

communitybenefitandinrolesthatoffergoodpay.

LiteracyMostworkshopparticipants,bothyoungandold,demonstratedagoodlevelofEnglishliteracy.



Whichgroupsorindividualswouldbemostlikelytoparticipateinawater

conservationprogram?

MaleandfemaleRAPparticipantswereaskedtoanalysethesuitabilityofgroupsor

individualstobeinvolvedinawaterconservationprogram.Theresultswere

recordedslightlydifferently,butonthewholemenandwomensharedsimilarviews.

(SeeTables3and4)

Table3.Analysisofgroupsforinvolvementinawaterconservationprogram(Mens

RAP)

Thegroupshighlightedinbluewereidentifiedbymenasmostsuitablefor

involvementinthewaterconservationproject.

Group Wouldthey

wanttobe

involved?

Isitlikewhat

theyalready

do?

Couldthey

doit?(Skills

&resources)

Dotheyhave

timetodoit?

Shireemployees 9 9 8 ?Electrician 8 8 9 8CDEPworkers 99 9 ?9 99Heathworkers 9 8 8 8PowerandWater

Corporation

99 99 99 99

EssentialServicesperator 9 99 99 ?9Plumber 99 99 99 ?Men 9 9 ?9 99Women ? 8 ?9 9Seniorschoolstudents 9 9 8 8Police 8 8 8 ?

Legend

9 =yes99=strongyes8 =no? =uncertain



Table4.Analysisofgroupsforinvolvementinawaterconservationprogram

(WomensRAP)

Thegroupshighlightedinbluewereidentifiedbywomenasthemostsuitedtobeing

involvedinawaterconservationproject.

Group Wouldtheywanttobeinvolved?

Isitlikewhattheyalreadydo?

Couldtheydoit?(Skills&resources)

Dotheyhavetimetodoit?

Shireemployees

3 No Staff Busyalready.

CDEPworkers

3 Partly;theymanageparks(sprinklersetc),sotheydosomeworklikethisatcertaintimesoftheday.

Alreadydoparks,doalltheworkanyway,equipment(sprinklersetc).

Toobusyandtiedupwithotherthings.Needtofindalinktomakeithappen.

Healthworkers

2 No No

Housingofficer(Shire)

3 Currentfocusinsidehousesandnotontheoutside.Valdacommentedthattheyneedtostartfocusingontheoutsidelikelandscapingandgardening.

Notsure.Hemightbeabletogetstafftohelpwiththework.

Hestoobusymanagingstaff.Maybehisstaffcoulddoit(Shireworkers).

Power and Water Corporation

3 Yes,theytalkaboutwatersaving,activitiesetc.

Usage,management.Theyneedtogetouttherealotandtalktothecommunity.

Sometimetosupport,nottimetodoallthework.

EssentialServicesOperator

3 Yes,heisaserviceprovider.

Hesgotskills.Hesbeenkeepingthingsmovingandhesalreadyprovidingaservicetothecommunity.

Hefixessmalljobsquicklylikewhentapsbreakdown.

Plumber 3 Yes Fixingpipes,taps,leaks.

Busy?Thewomenwerentsure.

Olderwomen

3 No Culturalknowledge,theyareabletoteachandtellkidstolookafterwater(authority).

Theolderwomenhavesometime(inbetweenotherjobs)todosometeaching.



Group Wouldtheywanttobeinvolved?

Isitlikewhattheyalreadydo?

Couldtheydoit?(Skills&resources)

Dotheyhavetimetodoit?

Youngwomen

3 No Theyneedtolearnfromolderwomen.

Sometime

Oldermen 3 No Knowledgeaboutwaterdreaming,Jukurrpa.JefferySmallusedtobeaplumber.

Theyllhavetimeifyouorganisethem.

Youngmen 3 No Strengthforshovelling,usetheirmuscles!

Same(needtoorganisethem).

Seniorschoolstudents

3 No TherecouldbeaSchoolcommunityprojectaboutthegarden.

Makeitpartoftheirlearning.

MenandwomeninAliCurungthereforesharetheviewthatCDEPworkers,Power

andWaterCorporation,theEssentialServicesOperatorandthePlumberarethe

groupsmostlikelyandmostsuitedtobeinvolvedinwaterconservation.

ThewomensRAPalsoidentifiedthatbotholdermenandwomenhaveimportant

traditionalCulturalknowledgeaboutwaterandthattheymightbeabletolendthat

knowledgeandtheirauthoritytothewaterconservationmessage,helpingtoteach

theyoungerpeopletolookafterwater.

Lessons learned from the RAP workshop process

ThequalityofparticipationinRAPworkshopswasrelativelyhigh.Bothmenandwomenseemedtoenjoytheactivitiesandbecamefullyengagedafter

onlyashortperiod.MostactivitiesdidnotrequireahighdegreeofEnglish

writingskills,howevermostparticipantsseemedtobeabletowritewell.

Gettingparticipantsalongtotheworkshopwasalwayschallenging.Itisimportanttogainsupportfromlocalpeopletoassisttogetparticipants

along.Otherincentivesshouldalsobeexamined,suchasprovidingaBBQ.

Effortshouldalsobemadeinensuringtherearenoclashesbetweenthe

workshopandothercommunityevents/activitiesthatcouldimpacton

attendance.



ConcentrationlevelsinthewomensRAPworkshopwerepoorafterlunch,whichmeantitwaschallengingtogetqualityparticipationinsomeactivities.

Themensworkshopwasrestructuredinresponsetothelessonslearned

fromthewomensworkshop.Additionalactivitiesincludedinthewomens

workshoptofacilitategroupinteractionandenergiseparticipantswere

omittedormodifiedforthemensworkshop,leavingthecoreactivitiesthat

couldbecoveredintwomornings.

ParticipantsgenerallyenjoyedtheRAPandtheopportunitytoexpresstheirideasandopinions.Funandengagingactivitieshelpedtoensurethatparticipantsreturnedfordaytwo.



Discussion of shared, community-wide incentives

Recommendationfour(above)identifiesinnovative,sharedcommunitywide

incentivesforsavingwaterasasuggestedoptiontomotivatebehaviourchange.

Potentialoptionsforincentiveswereexploredinmoredetail.

Oneoptionforasharedincentive,identifiedrepeatedlybyresidentsandBarklystaff

intheRAPasanimportantneedoraspiration,wasacommunitypooland/orwater

park.Investingapercentageofwaterproductioncostsavingsintotheoperational

costsofapool/waterparkcouldbeapowerfulmotivatorforwaterconservationin

AliCurung.ThisconceptwasstronglysupportedbyRAPworkshopparticipantswho

feltthatitwouldbeagoodmotivator.

AccordingtotheAliCurungGovernmentBusinessManager,theremaybe

opportunitieswiththeFederalGovernmenttobuildthecommunityawaterparkon

theconditionthattheBarklyShiretakesresponsibilityfortheestimated$7to

$12,000annualrunningcosts.3Indeedannualrunningcostsforawaterparkare

estimatedtobesubstantiallylessthanannualrunningcostsforapool,inpart

becausetheydonotrequirelifeguardstaff.Ourbackgroundresearchonpoolsin

remoteAboriginalcommunitiesinCentralAustraliafoundthattotalrunningcosts

rangefromanestimated$100,000to$250,000peryear.4Electricity,chlorine

chemicalandwatercosts,werearelativelysmallcomponentoftheoverallcost,

rangingfrom$40to$80,000peryear.Thebulkofpoolrunningcostsareinstaff

wagesasapublicpoolrequiresaqualifiedPoolOperatortomanagepoolhygieneas

wellastrainedlifeguardsondutywhenthepoolisopen.

Awaterparkisexpectedtobesignificantlycheapertorunforthesimplereasonthat

withnostandingwater,aqualifiedpooloperatorandlifeguardsarenotnecessary,

removingexpensivelabourcosts.Theamountofwaterthatrequirestreatmentis

likelytoalsobemuchsmaller,thereforereducingwater,electricityandchlorine

costs.Onedisadvantageofawaterpark,identifiedbyKatherineTownCouncilwho

installedoneattheirpool,isthatmaintenanceintheircasewasdifficultand

maintenancecostsranhighduetovariousreasonsthat,inhindsight,mayormay

nothavebeenavoidable.

3GBMAliCurung(2010).Pers.comm.4MacDonnellSSM,SantaTeresaSSM,YuendemuPoolManager,KatherinePool&WaterParkManager(2010).Pers.comm.



Onepossibleincentiveforcommunityactioninwaterconservationcouldbelinked

totheinstallationofawaterparkasanincentivetosavewater.PowerandWater

couldofferfundstoBarklyShireinordertocontributetotheannualrunningcostsof

awaterpark,thefundsputtowardthewaterparkannuallywouldbebasedona

performancebasedincentiveforsavingwater.Suchanofferrequiresfurther

considerationfromPowerandWaterastothedesign,andhowsuccessinwater

conservationwouldbemeasured.Alsoifthecommunitywerenotsuccessfulin

savingwaterthenifandhowthewaterparkwouldbeturnedoff,andhowpublic

perceptionmaytreatthis?

AnalternativeincentivetoapoolalsoidentifiedintheRAPasanaspiration,maybe

forPowerandWatertosupportthecommunitytorestoregrasstothecommunity

footballoval.Againtheissuehereisalackofinfrastructure.Thewaterheadertanks

thatsuppliedwatertotheovalsprinklersinthepasthavecollapsed,andthecostof

resurrectingthemmaybehigh,andagaindependantonBarklyShire.Another

disadvantageisthatagrassedoval,evenonewateredbywaterefficientsubsurface

irrigation,installedbytrainedcommunityWaterRangers,islikelytobeasignificant

consumerofwaterandsomewhatcounterproductivetoattemptstoreduceoverall

waterconsumption.

Exactlywhichincentivetouseandhowbesttouseit,remainunclearatthisstage.

Indeedanincentivemaynotevenbenecessarytofacilitatechangedwateruse.

Thereforeincentivesshouldbeconsideredlaterinapilotimplementationphase,

aftertheimpactofotheractivitiescanbedetermined.



Part B Recommendations

Recommendations for a Water Conservation Program

DrawingonthekeyfindingsoftheRAPphase,wemakethefollowing

recommendationsforaWaterConservationProgramatAliCurung:

1. InvestinwaterconservationPowerandWatershouldtakeadvantageofthesignificantfinancialopportunity

thatcurrentlyexiststoinvestinwaterconservationinAliCurung.Savingsinthe

orderof$106,000to206,0005peryeararepossible.

Whilerecoveryrateswillriseastherecentimprovementsinmeteringarefeltby

billowners,itiswidelyacceptedthatthefullcostofwatersupplycouldneverbe

fullyrecovered.Rather,thisreportarguesthatopportunitiesforcostsavings

throughwaterconservationaresubstantialandprovidethebestopportunityfor

improvingproductioncostrecovery.

AspreviouslymentionedPowerandWaterplanstoupgradewatertreatmentat

AliCurung,withAdvanceWaterTreatmenttechnology,potentiallydoublingthe

costofdrinkingwaterproductionto$4kL.Asthisprojectisstillindesign,itisstill

unclearwhatthecapitalcostswillbeandwhatimpactthiswillhaveonoverall

supplycosts.TheratechargedforwateratAliCurungcannotrisebeyondthe

regulated,Territorywideuniformtariff.Therefore,increasingwaterproduction

costsprovideanevengreaterrationalefortheintroductionofaneffectivewater

conservationprogram.

2. SignificantwatersavingsarepossibleA10percentor20percentreductionindailyconsumptionisarealistic

objectiveforawaterconservationprograminAliCurung.AliCurungresidents

usedanaverageof1,172litresperpersonperdayin2009/10.Thisissignificantly

higherthantheaveragedailyconsumptionforremoteNorthernTerritory

Aboriginalcommunities.WhileAliCurungisknownasbeinggreenerthanmost

communitieswithitsparksandlawns,andtherehavebeensomesignificant

5preandposttheinstallationofadvancewatertreatmenttechnology



leaksfixedthroughanincreaseinregularinspections,therearenootherobvious

factorstoexplainsuchahighlevelofconsumption.

EvenifAliCurungcutitswateruseinhalf,itwouldstillbeusing20percent

morethantheaverageremotecommunity.Ourobservationsofwaterlostin

leaks,overwatering,tapsleftonandwaterplayetcsuggestthat10or20per

centsavingscouldeasilybemadeon2009consumptionlevels.A1020per

centreductionisconservativecomparedtorecommendationsmadebyHoyal

andMarshall(2006)intheirreportsonWaterAuditingandConservationinSanta

TheresaandGunbalanya6.

3. Reinvestsavingsfromwaterconservationtoprovideongoingfundingtotheprogram.

Werecommendthatthehighestpriorityfortheuseofsavingsfromreduced

supplycostsistoreinvestaportioninprovidingongoingfundingtothewater

conservationprogram.Whiletheongoingrunningcostsofthisprogramareyet

tobeascertained,asixmonthpilotwouldassisttoprovideagoodindicatorof

cost.Anadditionalamount,ifitisavailable,shouldbesetasidetofunda

potentialcommunityincentivetomotivatethecontinuedsavingofwater.This

conceptisdiscussedfurtherinrecommendation4below.Remainingfundscould

beretainedbyPowerandWaterhelpingtoimprovetheirbottomline.With

substantialcostsavingspotentiallyavailable,thetotalamounttobereinvested

inthecommunitytofundtheprogramandapossibleincentiveshouldbecapped

atanappropriatepoint.

Reducingwaterconsumptionby10or20percentinthefirstyearwillbe

relativelystraightforward,butmakinganadditional10or20percentsavingon

topofthepreviousyearssavingwillbecomeincreasinglydifficult.Instead,to

justifysavingsoveranumberofyears,aprojectedfuturewatersupplycost

shouldbesetbasedonabusinessasusualscenario,sothatfinancialsavings

fromreducedwaterconsumptionthreeyearsintoasuccessfulprogramarenot

measuredagainstthepreviousconservativeyearscosts,butagainstaprojected

costhadnoprogrambeenintroduced.

6Sarah Hoyal and Glenn Marshall, Centre for Sustainable Arid Towns (2006) Water audits of residential premises in Gunbalanya community, report undertaken for Indigenous Essential Services, Department of Planning and Infrastructure



4. ReinvestsavingsfromwaterconservationtofundinnovativeincentivesWerecommendthatinnovativesharedcommunitywideincentivesforsaving

waterwouldbeaworthwhileoptiontomotivatebehaviourchange.Residents

currentlyperceivethatthecommunityhasanabundantsupplyofgroundwater,

andthereisalackoffinancialconsequencesforresidentswhowastewater.

HoweverrewardingindividualsinAliCurungforwaterconservationwouldbe

verydifficultforanumberofreasons.Housesarenotindividuallymetered

thereforeitwouldbeverydifficulttomeasureandrewardindividualor

householdwaterconservationeffortswithoutexpensiveindividualauditing.

Moreover,fromourinitialobservations,waterwastageappearstooccuras

muchifnotmoreincommunityspaceslikeparksandstreets,thaninsidehouses

andresidentialgardens,althoughthisrequiresfurtherinvestigationatthe

implementationstage.Waterconservationisthusashared,communitywide

issueasmuchasitisanissueforindividualhouseholds.

Anotherconsiderationisthatasharedcommunityincentivemaybemore

culturallyappropriateinanAboriginalcommunitysettingthananindividual

reward,althoughthishasnotbeenvalidated.Finally,asthecommunitywater

conservationprogramhasbeendesignedasapilot,thereisanopportunityto

testinnovativemethods.Asharedincentiveforcommunitybenefitwouldbea

greattooltouseinothercommunitiesifitprovedsuccessfulinAliCurung.

Pleaserefertothediscussionofshared,communitywideincentives(pp.28)for

furtherinformation.

5. BarklyShireshouldalsoreinvestsavingsintheprogramThereisastrongcaseforsuggestingthatsavingsmadebyBarklyShireinreduced

waterbillsshouldbereturnedtothelocalcommunitytohelpfundthecosts

associatedwiththeprogram.However,BarklyShireislikelytobestilldiscerning

futurewatercostsasrecentmeteringimprovementswillchangetheamount

paidforwater.Barklyisalsolikelytoincursomeadditionalcostiftheywereto

beinvolvedinthedeliveryofawaterconservationprogram.Thesecostswillbe

bestascertainedinapilot.Ideally,Barklyshouldconsiderthesecostsasinkind

supportforaprogramthatultimatelybenefitsthecommunityandtheShires

bottomline.



6. Astable,locallybasedinstitutionororganisationwillberequiredtomanageongrounddeliveryofawaterconservationprogram.

PowerandWatercurrentlydoesnothavethelocalcommunitypresence

requiredtomanagedaytodaydeliveryofaWaterRangerstylewater

conservationprograminAliCurung.Thisisbecausethisstyleprogramwill

requirelocalsupervision,mentoring,andperiodsoftargetedtraining.Therefore

itwillbenecessarytocontractorpartnerwithanotherorganisationwithlocal

presenceandcapacitytodelivertheprogram.Thiswillalsoassisttocreatelocal

ownershipandmakeuseoflocalknowledge,assetsandresources.

InthecontextofAliCurung,BarklyShireCDEPhassuggestedthattheyhavethe

potentialtopartnerwithPowerandWatertodeliverapilotprogram.As

identifiedintheRAP,theCommunityDevelopmentEmploymentProgramisa

suitablegrouptomobiliseactionforapilotprogram.Youngmenwho

participatedintheMensRAPshowedaparticularinterest,howeveranumberof

themhavegoneontofindworkoutsidethecommunity.Recruitmentofstaffto

theprogramasWaterRangersmaythereforehavetocomefromoutsidethe

groupwhoparticipatedintheRAPprocess.Nonetheless,CDEPmanagementand

theShirehaveillustratedawillingnesstoprovideagood,preexisting

organisationalplatformtolaunchandsupportthewaterconservationproject,

although,likemanyremoteorganisations,theydosufferfromhighstaff

turnovers.CDEPcouldofferinkindadministrativeservices,provideoperational

resourcesliketoolsandpotentiallyuseofavehicle,aswellascontribute

managementandsupervision.Theycouldalsopotentiallysupporttheproject

financiallythroughvariousfundingprogramsavailable.

ItisfurtherrecommendedthatPowerandWaterexplorethepotentialtodeliver

apilotviaasixmonth'workexperience'positionutilisingfundingfromthe

DepartmentofEducation,EmploymentandWorkplaceRelationsWork

ExperienceSubsidy.PowerandWatercouldthencontractBarklytodeliverthe

programontheirbehalfasameanstocreatethenecessaryfinancial

arrangements.JulalikariRemoteEmploymentServices(JRES)couldpotentially

accessadditionalfundingforWaterRangertraining,uniforms,etc.Giventhe

interestshownbyBarklyShireandJRES,werecommendthree6month'Water

Ranger'WorkExperiencerolesarecreatedtotakepartinapilotprogram.



7. ProvideWaterRangerswithrelevanttrainingThereareanumberofpossibletrainingprovidersandalsofundingfortrainingavailable.

TrainingforWaterRangersinskillsandknowledgeintheinstallationofwaterefficient

irrigationskillscouldcomeeitherfromthenewCentrefarmtrainingcentreorwiththe

horticulturaldepartmentofCharlesDarwinUniversitywhohavepreviouslybeeninvolved

inawaterefficientschoolgardenprojectinAliCurung.Traininginpracticalplumbingskills

(e.g.fixingleaks,repairingtaps,installingandmaintainingwaterefficientshowerheads

couldpotentiallybegainedthroughacombinationofaworkingalongsidetheAliCurung

plumberandthroughdedicatedbasicplumbingtraining.Arangeofappropriate

organisations,e.g.DesertSMARTCOOLmobwhoundertakewaterauditingactivitiesin

AliceSprings,couldpotentiallysourcetrainingindomesticwaterauditingskills.

8. WaterRangersshouldhaveauniformwithadedicatedbadgeorlogoWerecommendtheWaterRangerpositionincludeauniformtoaddressperceivedbarrier

togoingtoworkofshameatnothavingcleanorappropriateclothes,andtheperceived

incentiveofprideofhavingameaningfulrole.Asindicatedabove,JREScanaccess

fundingtoprovidetheseresources.Wewouldalsoliketoaddprestigeandidentitytothe

rolebydevelopingaWaterRangerlogotofeatureonuniforms,materials,signs,etc.To

ensurelocalownership,thislogocouldbedevelopedbyartistsfromtheartcentre

drawingonlocalwaterstoryiconography,ifculturallyappropriate.

9. EffectivemonitoringwithaccuratedataisessentialThisstudyhasmostlyreliedonobservationalandconsultativeassessmentsofwhere

waterisbeingwasted.Apilotprogramshouldmorethoroughlyutilisequantitativedatato

accuratelymeasuredemandfromabulkandindividualusersperspective.

Theprogramwillneedtodevelopeffectivecommunicationmechanismstorelaywater

consumptionfiguresbacktothecommunityasfeedbackonwatersavingsuccess.This

couldbeintheformofanadjustablescaledsignupdatedeachweek,easilyunderstood

diagramsonthecommunitynoticeboard,monthlyreportsbacktoLocalBoardmeetings,

andannouncementsatcommunitywaterawarenessevents.Withaclearunderstanding

ofexactlyhowmuchwatertheyareconsuming,thecostsinvolved,andthebenefitsfrom

apotentialincentive,remotecommunitieslikeAliCurungwillhaveagreater

understandingoftheneedmeanstoconservewater.Quantitativedatameasuringthe

quarterlyorannualaveragesforwaterproductioncouldthenbelinkedtopayments



towardsthecommunityincentive.Realisticandachievabletargetsforwaterconservation

shouldbeset.

MeetingtargetsshouldbecelebratedandtheworkoftheWaterRangersrecognised.If

targetsarentreached,aprocessisrequiredforWaterRangerstotryandindentifywhere

additionalwaterwasused,whetherornotitwasnecessaryorwasted,andifsowasted,

whatcouldbedonetopreventsimilarwastageinthefuture.

10. TheCommunityEngagementOfficerSouthshouldbethePowerandWaterliaisonThePowerandWaterCommunityEngagementOfficerSouthcouldhaveakeyroleinthe

implementationofthisprogram.Theirrolecouldincludemonitoringsuccessofprogram,

receivingreportsfromtheWaterRangersandtheBarklyShire,ensuringtargetsarebeing

met,supportingeducationalandcommunityengagementactivities,reportingonthe

programtoPowerandWater,etc.

11. Eldersshouldsupport,mentorandlendlegitimacytoawaterconservationprojectWorkshopparticipantssaidthelikelihoodofachievingsuccessthroughtheprogram

wouldbeincreasediftheprogramwerelinkedtotraditionalculture.Eldersconsulted

confirmedthattheycouldhelpfacilitatethisconnection.Wethereforerecommendthat,

ifculturallyappropriate,anelementoftheWaterRangerstrainingshouldbeasuitable

culturalorientationwithEldersontraditionalwaterstoriesandbusiness.Program

managersshouldalsoseektodevelopamentoringprogrambetweenkeyEldersand

WaterRangersthatwouldincluderegularmeetingstodiscussprogramprogress,

challenges,opportunitiesandculturalissues.

12. FamiliescanhelpwithculturalandsocialissuesWorkshopparticipantssuggestedthatpotentialculturalandsocialbarrierstosuccessful

employmentcouldbebetterdealtwithiffamilymemberswereinvolvedinsupportingthe

employmentofindividualswhotakeonWaterRangerroles.Byidentifyingparents,

relativesorappropriateEldersasgotofiguresattheinitialemploymentstage,itwillbe

possibletoclarifyauthenticityofculturalneedsliketimeoffforsorrybusiness,for

example.



13. Referencecaseorbusinessasusualwateruseshouldbemeasuredfromadatepriortothecommencementofthisconsultancy

OurresearchandpresenceinAliCurungsincethefirstvisitinOctober2009appearsto

havealreadyledtoincreasedawarenessandactionrelatedtowaterconservation.The

annualbulkwaterconsumptionfellfrom252,973kLin2008/09to213,658kLin2009/10.

Earlywatersavingscanlikelybeattributedinparttotheincreasedfocusonwater

conservationbroughtaboutthroughtheprocessofconsultinganddesigningthisprogram.

However,PowerandWaterhavebeenmoreactiveinfixingleakssinceNovember2009,

andclimatemayalsohaveanimpactonconsumption.Notwithstandingdifficultiesin

attributingsavingstoimpactsfromthisprogramtodate,webelievethereissufficient

meritinestablishingabusinessasusual(referencecase)forwaterconsumptionbasedon

historicwaterusepriortothisprogramdesignintervention.

14. Pilotorpretestacommunitywaterconservationthatcouldpotentiallybescaleduporreplicated

Opportunitiesforscalinguporreplicatingawaterconservationprogramshouldbe

consideredwhendevelopingtheCommunityWaterRangersPilotProgram.Ifapilot

programprovestobeeffectiveinmeetingitsobjectives,therewouldbeastrongcasefor

mainstreamingtheapproachintoothercommunities.However,everycommunityis

different,thereforeaflexibleapproachshouldbetakenthatallowslocalAboriginal

peopleandstakeholderstohaveinputintothedesigntofosterlocalrelevanceand

ownership.

WerecommendthatpartoftheroleforthePowerandWaterCommunityEngagement

OfficerSouthincludeoverseeingimplementationofapilotwaterconservationprogramin

AliCurung.Theprogrammodelshouldbestrengthenedbasedonlearningsfromapilot

activity.Ifthepilotprogramiseffectiveandefficientinachievingitsaims,theCommunity

EngagementOfficerSouthcouldberesponsibleformanagingtherolloutofa

mainstreamedprograminmultiplelocations.



Part C Water Conservation Program

Adetailedwaterconservationprogram,entitledCommunityWaterRangersisprovidedasa

separatebutcompaniondocumenttothisreport.Theprogramisdescribedintheformatofa

manualentitledtheCommunityWaterRangersPilotProjectGuide,whichcanalsobeused

asaresourceindependenttothisreport.

Themanualiswritteningenericterms(i.e.itdoesnotfocusonAliCurung),andhencecould

potentiallybeusedtoguideimplementationofapilotprograminothercommunities.



Conclusion

ThisconsultancyhasdemonstratedthatdeliveryofapilotwaterconservationprograminAli

Curungishighlylikelytoprovidepositiveeconomic,socialandresourcemanagement

outcomesforPowerandWater,theAliCurungCommunityandotherstakeholdergroups.In

summary:

ThereareobviouswaterandfinancialsavingstobemadefromawaterconservationprogramatAliCurung

Asignificantsubsidyisavailabletofundsomewagesandthetrainingrequiredforasixortwelvemonthpilot

Asuitablelocalpartnerorganisation(BarklyShire)isinterestedinadministeringandcoordinatingapilotprograminthecommunity

LocalAboriginalpeoplehavedemonstratedinterestinbeinginvolvedintheprogram(e.g.applyingforpositionsasCommunityWaterRangers)

TheResearchofAspirationsandPerceptions(RAP)studywasusedtodevelop

recommendationsregardingthedesignofawaterconservationprogram,whichwould

respondtocommunityperceptions,needs,strengthsandcapacity.AdetailedCommunity

WaterRangerPilotProgramManualwasdesignedtoguideprogrammanagersin

implementationofapilotprogram.

WhatisnowrequiredisagreementfromPowerandWater,BarklyandJRESorotherlocal

partnerstoenterarrangementsfordeliveryaswellasendorsementfrommembersoftheAli

Curungcommunity.Havingachievedthesethings,apilotprogramcouldenterthe

implementationstage.

Apilotprogramshouldbemonitoredandevaluatedforeffectivenessandefficiencyagainst

itsstatedeconomic,socialandresourcemanagementgoals.Programmanagersshouldlearn

frompilotactivitiesandusethelessonslearnedtostrengthentheprogram.Ifsuccessful,the

programshouldbeconsideredforreplicationwithinPowerandWatersongoingworkin

NorthernTerritoryAboriginalcommunities.




Introduction Darwin 1: Sustainable Development Model Executive Summary

Part A: Research of Aspirations and Perceptions (RAP) RAP Methodology RAP Findings Theme 1: Perceptions of the importance of water in daily life Theme 2: Perceptions on decision-making and responsibility for water in the community Theme 3: Perceptions about work (paid and voluntary) Theme 4: Perceptions of community strengths, organisation & capacity

Lessons learned from the RAP workshop process

Discussion of shared, community-wide incentives

Part B Recommendations Recommendations for a Water Conservation Program

Part C Water Conservation Program Conclusion

pilot_project_for_community_engagement_in_water_conservation_at_ali_curung.pdf

Documents

environmental education

recommendations options

key findings

final report

contents introduction