Professor Katie Holmes, Director of the Centre for the Study of the Inland, has led a project to capture the experiences of communities across the Murray–Darling Basin.
Voices from the Basin is a collaboration between La Trobe University and the Murray–Darling Basin Authority (MDBA). It records the first-hand experiences of Basin communities and their contrasting perspectives on living with environmental change and how the Murray-Darling Basin Plan impacts their health and wellbeing.
In every location, strong cultural and emotional ties to the river emerged.
“One of the themes that came through loud and clear during interviews was the complexity of issues around water. For some people, their connection to water is tied up with childhood memories of swimming and fishing. Their waterways are places of leisure and life. At the same time, there is a recognition that this water is sustaining their economy.”
“Everybody wants a healthy river. But not everybody agrees on what that looks like, or who should make the sacrifices when there is not enough water to meet demand. Those tensions are very real,” she adds.
The project also includes interviews with First Nations people.
“It was very important to us to include First Nations voices. These stories highlight the significance of water in their culture and their own histories of leadership within their communities.”
Professor Holmes says the project highlights the importance of social science in environmental contexts.
“What this project demonstrates is the value that humanities and social sciences can bring to environmental issues. Neither science nor technology provide all the answers. Water issues are contested and value-laden. Key questions are social and political. You must listen to people, you must engage with them,” she says.
Professor Holmes says these insights are vital as policymakers grapple with the impacts of climate change.
“If people feel heard, if they feel that their views have been taken into account, they’re more ready to accept policy, even if it doesn’t necessarily work for them. Understanding the deep cultural connections to water is critical if we want lasting solutions.”
Voices From the Basin captures the voices of residents from nine Murray-Darling Basin communities, including interviews with First Nations water leaders.
La Trobe researchers involved in the project included Heather Downey, Margaret Cook, Karen Twigg, Scott McKinnon and Jess Urwin.
